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Washing difficult details with aggressive chemicals
A manufacturer of precision components implemented a manual cleaning process using aggressive chemicals to achieve perfectly clean surfaces prior to electroplating. Despite the intensive conditions - the solution proved to be effective and relatively inexpensive
Romer case study
Washing difficult details with aggressive chemicals
Assumptions:
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High technical purity requirements prior to plating or bonding processes.
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Presence of difficult-to-remove contaminants (process grease, oxides, paste residues).
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Small batch production - 30-50 parts per day.
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The need to use aggressive chemistry - e.g. chloride, lye or inorganic acid-based agents.
Estimated effectiveness:
30-50 details per day
approx. 1 minute
approx. 45-60 minutes per day
surfaces ready for bonding / plating, without grease and oxide residues
1 trained operator, no need for dedicated full-time staff
Proposed solution:
In a company involved in the precision machining of steel and aluminium parts, a critical step in the production process was the thorough cleaning of the surfaces prior to bonding and plating. Due to the nature of the contaminants (technical lubricants, oxidation, machining dust), standard detergents and water cleaning were proving insufficient.
Manual cleaning using specialised, powerful chemicals was therefore implemented. The process takes place in a segregated area with adequate ventilation and health and safety precautions. The operator performing the cleaning works in protective clothing with a mask and acid-resistant gloves.
Aggressive chemistry (including alkaline and acidic agents) has made it possible to effectively remove difficult contaminants without damaging the surface of the workpieces. Supplementing the process with a pressurised water rinse and neutralisation ensured that the workpiece was fully ready for further stages.
Against the odds - with a well-designed bench and trained personnel - it was possible to maintain a rhythmic process and high repeatability of results. The manual approach, despite intensive resources, allowed flexibility and low operating costs to be maintained without compromising on quality.
