Challenge A leading tier 1 automotive supplier faced...
Metal Surface Preparation & Cleaning Systems for Manufacturing Efficiency
Metal Surface Preparation & Cleaning Systems for Metalworking and Manufacturing
Better Engineering’s metal surface preparation and metal cleaning systems are built to meet the highest standards in manufacturing, fabrication, and finishing. Our industrial parts washer systems remove oils, chips, coolants, and residues from machined, stamped, or welded parts, ensuring every surface is ready for coating, assembly, or inspection. Each metal parts cleaning system is engineered for measurable results: improved adhesion, corrosion resistance, and production efficiency.
Solutions for Every Stage of Production
From machining and forming to coating and final assembly, Better Engineering designs metal industrial part washers and industrial cleaning systems for every phase of the metalworking process. Each system is designed for optimal performance, flexibility, and longevity, enabling you to maintain consistent quality, throughput, and cleanliness.
Metalworking, Machining, & Stamping
Designed for machining, stamping, and forming operations, our metal parts cleaners effectively remove oils, chips, and lubricants to prepare components for downstream processes like heat treating, welding, or assembly. Choose from spray, immersion, or ultrasonic systems for precise and repeatable results.
Metal Surface Preparation, Phosphating, & Passivation
Our metal surface preparation systems ensure coatings, adhesives, and finishes bond properly. With wash, rinse, phosphating, and dry stages, these systems eliminate oils and residues to deliver clean, reactive surfaces ready for painting or powder coating. Additionally, Better Engineering’s passivation equipment is specifically designed for stainless steel and high-performance alloys. Using nitric or citric acid chemistries, these systems remove free iron and restore the passive oxide layer, thereby enhancing corrosion protection and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Finishing & Post-Process Cleaning
After blasting, grinding, or peening, our industrial parts cleaning equipment removes embedded debris or media remnants. Metal cleaning systems can be configured for continuous, automated operation, ensuring surfaces are thoroughly cleaned before coating or assembly.
Real-World Cleaning Performance in metal surface preparation
Our metal cleaning systems serve every industry where reliability and precision are essential. From high-volume production lines to precision components for aerospace and medical device applications, Better Engineering delivers consistent, validated cleaning results.
Cleaning applications: Featured Products
Tunnel Washer
Rotary Basket Part Washer
Immersion Ultrasonic Part Washer
Cabinet Part Washer
WATCH OUR PARTS WASHERS IN ACTION
See how Better Engineering’s industrial parts cleaning equipment performs in real production environments. Our systems deliver repeatable, validated results while reducing maintenance and operating costs.
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What is Metal Preparation and Passivation?
What is Metal Preparation and Passivation? Metal preparation...
Why Companies Trust Better Engineering
Validated Cleanliness
Verified removal of oils, chips, and residues for coating or assembly.
Process Control
Integrated temperature, pressure, and chemistry monitoring.
Modular Flexibility
Configurable systems for one-stage or multi-stage cleaning.
Durability
Stainless steel construction built for continuous industrial use.
Sustainability
Efficient filtration and chemical recycling reduce waste and operating costs.
frequently asked questions
Our systems remove oils, greases, coolants, chips, polishing compounds, and debris from machining, welding, or finishing operations.
Yes. We manufacture automated passivation machines that use citric or nitric-based chemistries to meet ASTM and AMS standards.
Absolutely. Our industrial parts cleaning equipment integrates with conveyors, robotics, and PLCs for seamless automation and data logging.
Our engineers evaluate your part geometry, material, contamination type, and throughput requirements to recommend the ideal cleaning system, spray, immersion, ultrasonic, or a hybrid configuration. To ensure every system meets your exact cleanliness standards, Better Engineering operates an in-house applications lab where we test your parts and validate process performance before delivery.
Depending on your application, we perform several industry-standard cleanliness and surface-readiness tests, including:
- Millipore testing to measure and quantify particulate contamination.
- Gravimetric analysis to determine total residue mass and verify soil removal.
- Dyne testing to evaluate surface energy for coating or bonding readiness.
- Water break-free testing to confirm complete removal of oils and films.
This comprehensive evaluation ensures your cleaning process is optimized, validated, and production-ready, delivering consistent results and peace of mind for your metalworking operation.
While both processes remove contaminants, they serve different purposes:
Metal cleaning focuses on removing oils, chips, coolants, and residues to prepare a part for further processing or assembly.
Surface preparation goes a step further by chemically or mechanically treating the surface (e.g., phosphating or passivation) to ensure coatings, adhesives, or finishes adhere properly and resist corrosion.
Better Engineering’s systems can combine both — ensuring your parts meet adhesion, corrosion, and finish quality requirements in one streamlined process.
The ideal parts washer depends on your production process and contamination type.
Spray systems are best for removing oils and light debris from machined or stamped parts.
Immersion systems work well for complex geometries or heavy soils.
Ultrasonic cleaners provide precision cleaning for intricate parts or fine finishes.
Better Engineering can tailor a system to your workflow — whether you need batch-style, conveyorized, or fully automated solutions for metal preparation, phosphating, or passivation.
Metal cleaning systems are essential in automotive, aerospace, defense, medical device, heavy equipment, and general manufacturing — anywhere precision and cleanliness are critical before coating, plating, or assembly. That said, all of our parts washers can be tailored to your specific need.
Backed by Testing. Proven in the Field.
Better Engineering stands behind every washer we design. From concept to commissioning, each system is engineered, built, and thoroughly tested in our Maryland facility to meet the highest standards of performance and reliability. Our quality promise extends to post-installation support, training, and parts testing services, because clean parts are the foundation of quality manufacturing.