Cleaning Booths for High-Purity Parts

acp systems AG‘s manual and automated JetStation-HP booths enable high-purity workpieces to be cleaned in a manual or semi-automated process with quattroClean technology. The closed, sound-proofed stand-alone units are made entirely of stainless steel and ensure that detached contaminants and carbon dioxide are removed quickly and effectively by the integrated extraction system and that no dirt pockets can form, preventing cleaned parts from becoming recontaminated.

For both booth models, a system for monitoring the CO₂ concentration in the working area comes standard. If the set limit value is exceeded, the carbon dioxide supply is automatically switched off and an error message is displayed.

The manual JetStation-HP is loaded and unloaded via the front flap with hand access and is suitable for both seated and standing workstations. The cleaning process, in which the part is guided to the nozzle by the operator, can be started conveniently via a foot pedal.

If higher requirements in terms of process reliability and/or part geometry must be met, the automated JetStation-HP is used. With this model, the part to be cleaned is advanced through a door which can be automated and placed in a receiver mounted on an x/y-axis system, rotary table, or combination of both, in the process chamber. The part-specific cleaning program stored in the system control unit is started at the push of a button. The process then runs fully automatically, with all parameters such as movements of the receiver, speed, force, and duration of the jet, the distance between nozzle and workpiece kept constant as specified in the parts program. In addition, the automated JetStation-HP model has a sensor system for monitoring the cleaning process, which continuously measures the density of the snow jet.

With this standalone system made entirely from stainless steel, the part to be cleaned is placed in a receiver mounted on an x/y-axis, rotary table, or combination of both, located in the process chamber.

The plug & play concept makes the JetStation-HP cleaning booths quick and easy to put into operation. All the technology for the snow-jet process and media preparation is integrated into the system housing, meaning that only the carbon dioxide and compressed air supply need to be connected up.

For reproducible cleaning results, all process parameters such as the force and duration of the jet are kept constant in a program-specific manner. In addition, a sensor system for monitoring the cleaning process, which continuously measures the density of the snow jet, comes as standard.

The cleaning medium used in the QuattroClean process developed by acp systems is liquid carbon dioxide, a by-product of industrial processes and thus climate-neutral. It is guided through a wear-free two-component ring nozzle and expands on exiting to form fine CO₂ snow. This core jet is then bundled by a separate jacketed jet of compressed air and accelerated to supersonic speed. When the easily focused jet of snow and compressed air impacts on the surface to be cleaned, a combination of thermal, mechanical, sublimation and solvent effects occur. The interaction of these four mechanisms of action removes particulate and filmic contamination in a reliable and reproducible process. During the cleaning step, the crystalline carbon dioxide is completely transformed from a solid to a gas, meaning that parts are instantly dry.

The before-after image, made under UV light, shows that particulates and contaminations on components made of all technical materials are removed in a process reliable manner.

The cleaning process is so gentle on materials that it can even be used to clean delicate and finely structured surfaces. The dry quattroClean technology is suitable for parts made from practically any technical material and combination of materials. Learn more at www.acp-systems.com

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