How to Select a Washing Machine for Factory Use?

Understand the Production and Cleaning Requirements

To begin with factory washing machine selection, detail the production and cleaning requirements as this will form the basis for all subsequent work. Different factory scenarios will have completely different requirements for cleaning equipment. An automotive parts production workshop for example will deal with oil, iron filings and cutting fluids, so it will need washing with high pressure. On the other hand, precise component machining might require cleaning to the order of microns to remove tiny particles. In automotive parts cleaning, the industry standards VDA19 and ISO16232 specify a minimum level of cleanliness and this must always be considered during selection. In practice, a lot of workshops buy unsuitable equipment for the sole reason of ignoring the cleaning requirements related to the type of contaminants resulting in inefficient cleaning, and products that do not meet the cleanliness requirements.

Equipment Type According To Process Requirements

The various types of industrial washing machines possess different technical specifications and fit different production processes. For instance, robotic high-pressure washing machines are most suitable for large and heavy components like crankshafts and cylinder heads since they have adjustable cleaning intensity and are suitable for varying pressure levels and cleaning intensity of 3000W and 5000W. Other types of washing machines include automated cleaning machines that are better for clean-in-place and assembly line production where continuous cleaning of components is required, and the cleaning machine has to be synchronized with the production rhythm of large-scale workshops. For small and precision components, ultrasonic washing machines are suitable as they use the cavitation effect to clean the small gaps and remove contaminants. A practical automotive industry example indicates that workshops with dual-robot cleaning machines for cleaning CVT housings have increased the cleaning efficiency by over 60% compared to traditional cleaning where the cleaning was done by humans, and the product qualification rate has improved significantly.

Assessing Core Performance Indicators

Core performance metrics determine the effect the washing machine has on your business's bottom line. Evaluation must be approached from several  angles. The first is precision cleaning. For cleaning to be complete no cleaning medium must be lodged in components. The second is level of automation. Sophisticated machinery can intelligently automate cleaning times, cleaning pressures, and cleaning flows to decrease the risk associated with manual meddling. The third is factor is stability and durability. Prime manufacturing machine components should be made of a high quality foundation to withstand continuous manufacturing operations over long periods of time, and the overall machine body should be built to withstand the weight of industrial operations. Finally, machines should be compatible with a variety of cleaning chemicals. This critical factor should be true of machines equipped with special cleaning aids to enhance cleaning performance, and contain mechanisms to enhance cleaning performance without corroding the machine components.

Identify Customization And Scalability

When it comes to factory production needs, they are not constant. So, when making selections for washing machines, the customers' needs for these machines'   customization and scalability must be also factored in. Most standard washing systems are not able to adapt to the specific production processes of workshops, for example, the cleaning of specially shaped components or the combination of cleaning and vision inspection processes. With this, it is from the layout of the workshop, the components to be cleaned, and the planned production capacity, that the professional suppliers will design o specially design custom cleaning solutions to include special cleaning nozzles and then integrate robotic arms with cleaning wash systems. With the planned factory production scale increases, it is the washing systems that need to have this scalability to be upgradable, easing the repeated purchases of wash systems.

Calculate Total Life Cycle Cost

An owner/operator should not only consider the initial purchase price when selecting a commercial washing machine; they should also estimate the total life cycle costs to maximize commercial value. Life cycle costs can be broken down into three primary components: initial investment, daily operational costs, and future maintenance expenses. Daily operational costs can include expenses for water, electricity, and detergent. Equipment that is certified as energy-efficient can lower operational costs. Maintenance expenses are influenced by the quality of the equipment and the quality of the after sales service. Suppliers that provide quality after sales services can lower maintenance-related factory downtime by providing timely maintenance and spare part replacements. While short-term economic benefits may be realized by choosing reasonably priced equipment, long-term economic benefits come to the factory by choosing high quality equipment that optimizes total life cycle costs. It should also be noted that high cost performance can be realized at all subsequent operational links, and not just the initial purchase link.