Challenge
The customer’s existing process required manual handling and was not optimized for the high volumes or cleanliness standards required in modern automotive manufacturing. The cleaning system needed to be fully automated, compatible with robotic material handling, and capable of performing multi-stage wash, rinse, rust-prevention, and drying operations efficiently—without sacrificing quality or speed.
Approach
Better Engineering provided a custom-engineered carousel-style C-5000-ULT automatic parts washer, designed to clean and dry axles in a compact footprint using rotary indexing technology. This industrial parts washer offered a repeatable, high-throughput solution tailored to robotic integration and automotive cleanliness specifications.
Key Custom Features & Cleaning Stages:
The carousel-style washer was engineered with 16 positions, each advancing in 16-second intervals, enabling a continuous and efficient cycle time of approximately 4.3 minutes per part. The cycle includes:
- Load Station – 16 seconds per part
- Buffer Position – 16 seconds per part
- Wash Stage – 3 positions, totaling 48 seconds
- Rinse Stage – 3 positions, totaling 48 seconds
- Rust Preventative Stage – 2 positions, totaling 32 seconds
- Drying Stage – 4 positions, totaling 64 seconds, using high-velocity air knives and regenerative blowers
- Vortex Tube Cooling Unit, available for post-dry station installation to assist in rapid cooling before CMM. The parts must exit the machine below 90 F.
- Buffer – 16 seconds per part
- Unload Station – 16 seconds per part
Each stage is isolated within a sealed cabinet structure to prevent overspray and cross-contamination, and is constructed of 304 stainless steel for corrosion resistance and long-term durability. The washer is also robot-ready, with open access zones, proximity switches, and Ethernet/IP PLC integration for seamless interface with the customer’s robotic cell.
Results
The carousel-style C-5000-ULT parts washer delivered high-throughput, repeatable cleaning performance while fully integrating with robotic automation. By combining compact design, time-controlled stages, and advanced drying technology, the system ensures precision cleaning and protection of automotive components at scale. Key results include:
- Fully automated cycle, enabling consistent, hands-free cleaning and drying with robotic loading/unloading
- Repeatable cleaning performance, supported by time-controlled stages and optimized fluid and air delivery systems
- Compact carousel design, reducing factory footprint while maintaining high throughput
- Enhanced surface protection via an integrated rust inhibitor stage
- Energy and labor savings, through efficient cycle design and elimination of manual processes
Conclusion
The carousel-style automatic parts washer provided by Better Engineering enabled the customer to streamline its stub axle cleaning process with robotics-ready automation and consistent cleaning performance. Designed specifically for the automotive industry, this custom-engineered industrial parts washer helped the customer boost efficiency, reduce manual labor, and maintain the high standards required for precision automotive components.
Interested in finding your solution? Contact us for more information, a facility tour, or free part testing.