Screws. Bolts. Rivets. Nearly every industry uses fasteners to hold materials together. From aerospace manufacturers to those in the automotive industry, fasteners are a component required to produce many final products.
Like other component parts, fasteners often require a washing or cleaning step to adhere to quality standards during the manufacturing process. Cold heading fasteners can leave behind metal dust and debris. Remanufacturers are likely to work with fasteners covered in rust, grease, and oil.
How do you clean greasy bolts? How do you ensure metal debris is removed from newly made fasteners? Both large manufacturers and small shops can utilize aqueous parts washers to clean bolts, screws, and more.
Why Use An Aqueous Parts Washer?
Aqueous cleaning solutions are water-based. They do not use harsh solvents or give off harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Instead of using your typical degreasing agent, aqueous cleaning systems combine flow, pressure, heat, and soap to break down soils and remove contaminants. Though they don’t use petroleum-based solvents, aqueous cleaning systems are just as effective at achieving the clean you need.
There are no limits on what fasteners aqueous parts washers can handle. They can tackle all types of fasteners, including but not limited to:
- Screws
- Bolts
- Washers
- Rivets
- Nuts
- Pins
- Collars
- Studs
- Nails
The first step toward cleaning fasteners is determining the solution, or chemistry, needed to remove the contaminants involved. At Jenfab, we perform a test wash to identify the chemistry and parts washer that will meet your goals.
The wash frequency and type of soils that need to be removed will determine what aqueous cleaning system best suits your needs.
Cleaning While Manufacturing Fasteners
Manufacturing fasteners often includes one or more cleaning steps. After fasteners are cut, tooled, and drilled, they may need to be washed to remove any leftover metal chips, debris, or dust from cold heading and fabrication. If any secondary oils or lubrication were used during manufacturing, an aqueous parts washer and solution will remove those contaminants.
Depending on your application, you may only need one wash to get the job done. Suppose your setup is complex, or you need to perform multiple washes. In that case, you may opt for a multi-tank system—one tank for the primary cleaning of components and a secondary tank for a final clean or rust preventative application.
Some parts need multiple washing stages if they are heavily soiled. While the first stage removes dirt and grime, the second stage provides another rinse to ensure the parts meet the required cleaning standards. A third stage may include corrosion protection.
Small shops may only need one washer. Larger operations may need custom automatic parts washers designed to work within the existing production line. Automatic parts washers may include a conveyor or a pass-through handling system that loads and moves parts from one tank to the next.
For Larger Manufacturing Operations: Custom Rotary Drum
Rotary drum washers can precision clean thousands of fasteners per hour. From mini to large washers, rotary drums come in many sizes and capabilities. Rotary drum washers use spray and immersion cleaning techniques to wash the exterior of the parts and reach the small, hard-to-clean areas, like in-between threads and joints.
Multi-tank drum washers can help you complete all parts of your cleaning process: washing, rinsing, passivating, coating, and drying. You can also utilize aqueous parts washers to prepare for the next step of the manufacturing process with tanks made specifically for sealing or lubricating fasteners.
Depending on the size of the washer and the system’s design, rotary drum washers can help you clean up to 45,000 lbs. of fasteners per hour—and that’s without damaging delicate threads or mixing materials.
Learn more about our precision rotary drum washers.
For Small Shops: The Top-Loading Avenger
Greasy, oily, or dirty fasteners? Stop washing parts by hand. Automatic parts washers help small shops save on time and labor by effectively removing soils from fasteners. Get the benefits of a larger cabinet washer in an easy-to-manage size with the Avenger.
The Avenger is a mobile, top-loading aqueous parts washer that will easily squeeze into small workspaces. Its soaking reservoir and optional spray brush allow for multiple washing techniques. With a no-drip tray, the Avenger keeps your shop floor dry while unloading clean fasteners.
Read more about our durable Avenger.
At Jenfab, we have the equipment and expertise to meet your cleaning needs. We’ll help you find the right aqueous parts washer for your floor.
Request a quote today for more information about our models.