What are Conveyor Washers?

What are Conveyor Washers?

C-60 Conveyor belt washer to clean sharps and medical waste containers

Table of Contents

What are Conveyor Washers? 

Conveyor washers are inline washers, pass-through washers, tunnel washers, and conveyor belt washers. Conveyor cleaning systems wash parts continuously in a production line, making them suitable for high-volume cleaning applications. The parts move through different stages of cleaning using sprays and brushes.

The benefits of using a conveyor parts washing system include reduced labor costs, increased cleaning efficiency, and consistent results. Unlike manual hand washing, which is time-consuming and inconsistent, conveyor washers can handle large quantities of parts with ease. Additionally, they can be customized to fit the specific needs of different manufacturing processes and parts types. In addition to being highly efficient, conveyor parts washing systems are also incredibly versatile. They can be used for cleaning a wide range of parts, from small precision components to large heavy-duty industrial equipment. This makes them a popular choice across a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and food and beverage manufacturing. In fact, conveyor washers are so prolific that you have probably come into contact with products that have been cleaned using these systems without even realizing it!

What are the Design Standards for Better Engineering Conveyor Cleaning Systems?

These washers are ruggedly built with standard wash, rinse, and dry modules/cycles and use environmentally safe aqueous-based solutions for cleaning applications. Other cycles may be added for additional rinsing, rust-inhibiting, sealing, phosphate coating, and sanitizing. Conveyor washers are modular, so modules/cycles may be added easily in the field with bolts. These versatile systems can integrate into a handling line or function as stand-alone systems.

These washers can range from single-stage, wash-only systems to large, multi-stage systems, and the flow can be continuous, indexing, or intermittent to accommodate different processes. Splash curtains or zone dividers separate modules to help prevent cross-contamination from one zone to another. Belt widths also vary in size from small, 6-inch wide belts to belts as wide as 150 inches. Other variables involved in building a conveyor washer include tunnel height, weight capacity, tank size, load and unload requirements, and heating methods (electric, gas, or steam). High-quality systems have stainless steel construction, so they are resistant to corrosion. 

What Types of Belts Are Available For Conveyor Washers?

Conveyor washers use various belt options such as continuous flat-wire, wire mesh, interlocking plastic, roller, and chain belts and may include fixtures to anchor parts in place. Guide rails, either fixed or adjustable, may also be utilized to secure components on the belt. Additionally, systems can be linear or designed with U-bend, inclined, or return conveyor belts to streamline workflow and create an efficient and cost-effective solution to handling parts.

What Industries Use Conveyor Washers?

Industries served by conveyor washers include general manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, machining, surface preparation, food, pharma, medical, cosmetic, and more. Conveyor washers suit a wide variety of cleaning applications, such as: 

  • removing chips, oils, grease, coolants, and buffing compound from machine parts, castings, housings, and stampings
  • cleaning before powder coating, deburring, brazing, blasting, welding, or other surface cleanliness critical post-process
  • remove fats, sugars, oils, allergens, and other organic materials from food manufacturing processes
  • sanitize components used in food, pharma, medical, and cosmetic processes

What Applications Are Conveyor Washers Best Suited For?

Conveyor parts washing systems are best suited for industries that need to clean large volumes of parts regularly. This includes automotive, aerospace, medical device manufacturing, and more. They are effective at removing stubborn grime, oil, and grease, which can be challenging to remove through hand washing alone. Conveyor washers can clean parts with incredible speed and efficiency compared to manual labor, freeing up valuable time for workers to focus on other tasks.

Conveyor part washing is an excellent choice for industries that need to maintain strict cleanliness and quality control standards. The cleaning process is thorough and can be customized to meet specific industry needs. Conveyor washers are also an excellent solution for parts with basic geometries; by using high-pressure jets and precision sprayers, parts are cleaned uniformly and quickly.

Overall, conveyor parts washing is an essential solution for industries looking to optimize their parts cleaning process, improve quality, and increase efficiency. By automating the cleaning process, industries can reduce the risk of human error, reduce labor costs, and ensure consistent results.

What are the diffrences between hand washing and using an automated System?

When it comes to parts washing, the age-old question of hand washing versus automated systems often arise. While hand washing may have its benefits, especially for smaller components or delicate parts, automated systems, such as conveyor washers, offer a range of advantages that cannot be overlooked.

One of the main benefits of automated systems like conveyor washers is their efficiency. Hand washing can be a time-consuming process that requires a lot of manual labor. Furthermore, conveyor washers are designed to streamline the parts cleaning process, allowing for high-volume production with minimal effort. By utilizing a conveyor system, parts can be continuously fed into the washer, cleaned, and then discharged, significantly reducing the time and labor required for the task.

Another advantage of automated systems is consistency. Hand washing can vary in terms of technique and thoroughness, which can lead to inconsistent results. With a conveyor washer, the cleaning process is standardized, ensuring that each part receives the same level of cleaning and attention. This can be particularly crucial in industries that require stringent cleanliness standards, such as the automotive or medical industries.

Additionally, conveyor washers are ideal for parts that require specific cleaning methods. The automated system can be customized with different wash zones, spray patterns, and detergents to cater to the specific needs of the parts. This versatility makes conveyor washers suitable for a wide range of applications, from removing dirt and debris to degreasing or even passivating metal surfaces.

Why Choose A conveyor Cleaning System?

Conveyor washers are ideal for parts washing applications that require a high level of throughput. They are particularly useful for cleaning small parts in bulk quantities and can easily be integrated into an assembly line. Conveyor washers can also help improve efficiency by reducing labor costs associated with manual washing processes. If you have a parts washing application that requires a high degree of cleanliness, a conveyor washer may be the ideal solution. This is especially true if the parts being cleaned have complex geometries or intricate features that make hand washing impractical or ineffective.

In addition, if you need to remove stubborn contaminants like grease, oil, and rust, a conveyor washer may be the best option. Ultimately, the decision to use a conveyor washer will depend on your specific needs and production goals. Consulting with an experienced parts washing company can help you determine the best solution for your particular application.

What Customization does Better Engineering Offer for Conveyor Cleaning Systems?

There are many solutions to accommodate every different type of part in such a variety of industries. The type of contaminants being removed, the cleaning specification, the volume, size, and shape of the parts all dictate the right approach to designing an appropriate system. Better Engineering’s conveyor washers are highly customizable to meet each customer’s individual needs. They may include robotic integration, high-pressure pumps, high-speed belts, vacuum drying, and several other features to suit a specific application. Furthermore, Better Engineering’s machines can comply with several manufacturing standards as FSMAHACCP, and GMP.

Customers can count on Better Engineering to find a cleaning solution that matches their needs. Our test lab can test your parts free of charge. We Guarantee the system you choose will always meet your cleanliness standards.

Speak with one of our machine specialists today to learn more about Better Engineering’s conveyor washers and how they fit into your application.

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