Filderstadt, November 2007 – Dürr Ecoclean GmbH’s EcoCSpeed offers new advantages for inline cleaning of individual parts. This innovative system makes it possible for the first time to clean complex geometrical workpieces during the manufacturing cycle using non-halogenated hydrocarbon. The EcoCSpeed has several process modules which can be loaded in delayed phases via a specially designed handling system. The cleaning process may include injection flood washing, steam scouring, and vacuum drying, and the cycle time can be adjusted to suit the manufacturing cycle. Cleanliness is achieved even for stringent specifications. Process quality and efficiency is ensured by cleaning complex parts individually rather than in batches.

In the past, short cycle times and strict cleanliness requirements presented problems for inline cleaning processes, especially when cleaning complex, mass-produced workpieces. Very complex, continuous systems were required, and the spraying methods used in these systems were only partially able to clean the parts. With the innovative EcoCSpeed, Dürr Ecoclean GmbH offers a solution that makes it possible to use non-halogenated hydrocarbons to clean workpieces with a complex geometry within the manufacturing cycle. Complex shapes include pumps, cases, ABS and common rail parts, as well as gears, crank shafts and camshafts.
The system, which is equipped with several process modules, was designed to be integrated in production lines, or directly connected to production systems and machining centers. The workpieces can be cleaned individually or as a batch from production in a product carrier.

2.7 tons per hour with the basic version

The basic version of the EcoCSpeed is equipped with five process modules, which are designed for part/batch dimensions of up to 370 x 220 x 200 mm (L x W x H). The maximum weight of parts or batches is 30 kilograms. This allows the new inline cleaning system to reach through-put of 2.7 tons per hour. With dimensions of 7500 x 3500 x 3100 mm it more than meets the demand for space-saving cleaning technology.

Individually adjustable cleaning process in a 40-second cycle

The EcoCSpeed’s flexible design makes it possible to equip the system with additional process modules to ensure that the overall 40-second cycle time is maintained. The cleaning process can therefore easily be adjusted to meet individual throughput demands and to suit individual production cycles. The work chambers are loaded in a delayed process by a handling system which is tailored to the workpiece or the batch. In the work chambers, the parts are treated by injection flood washing (IFW), steam scouring and vacuum drying. For the IFW, jet systems are arranged in the modules through which the cleaning agent is pumped at high pressure into a flooded work chamber. This produces a whirlpool effect which ensures very effective cleaning, even in areas such as boreholes and undercuts which are difficult to reach. Thanks to the vacuum drying process, workpieces leave the system completely dry and ready for immediate downstream processing. Because the entire cleaning process takes place in a vacuum, no special explosion protection measures are necessary to operate the machine. Additional steps required in immersion cleaning are dispensed with, such as the grouping of workpieces into product carrier systems and later separating them. This is not only more efficient, but also increases process quality be-cause damage caused to parts through unnecessary handling is eliminated.

Integrated processing technology and ease of serviceability

As with all Dürr Ecoclean cleaning systems, the new EcoCSpeed series also has stainless steel piping and an efficient processing technology. The development engineers paid particular attention to ensure that the EcoCSpeed is easy to maintain and service. All components that require servicing are easily accessible. A further advantage of the design of the system is the continuous operation of units such as pumps and distillation. This reduces the workload on the units compared to sequential usage, which is usually found in traditional cleaning systems. This extends the overall service life of the machine.

Dürr Ecoclean GmbH
Contact: Karlheinz Schechinger
70794 Filderstadt, Germany
Tel. +49.711 7006-149
Karlheinz.Schechinger@ecoclean.durr.com
www.durr-ecoclean.com