Definition and Advantages of a Cleaning Laboratory

Regular cleaning of a cleanroom is widely recognised by cleanroom users as an important factor in maintaining the required air cleanliness class in the cleanroom. However, the cleaning of the machines in the cleanroom is often neglected.

The maintenance cleaning of the machines should be firmly included in the cleaning schedule in order to ensure the necessary cleanliness of the machine and the associated process. It is also imperative for the manufacturer of such a machine to only handle cleaned individual parts and assemblies in order to complete the machine. The possibilities of individual part cleaning are often utilised. Cleaning in an ultrasonic bath is almost standard.

This type of cleaning is no longer suitable for installed assemblies or complete machines, as it is impossible to get the cleaning fluid out of the assembly or machine again. To avoid this contradiction, COLANDIS has realised the cleaning laboratory. 

What is a cleaning laboratory?

Our cleaning laboratory is a cleanroom in which we carry out manual and mechanical cleaning of machines and assemblies. As far as possible, the components are dismantled, cleaned and then reassembled. Manual wipe cleaning is mainly used, but other techniques are also possible depending on the application.

Cleaning processes are also developed and further optimised in our cleaning laboratory. This has the advantage that the experience gained from the cleaning processes carried out can be directly transferred to corresponding development steps.

How did the idea of the cleaning laboratory come about? What were the reasons?

Contamination in the manufacturing process also occurs in the cleanroom (in the clean environment). People and machines release particles and molecular contaminants. The human contamination source can be counteracted with protective measures (clothing) and, above all, with training on behaviour in the cleanroom. This is rather more difficult with machines. It is a false conclusion that machines in the cleanroom do not need to be cleaned. Machines release particles, bacteria can colonise them or fats and other organic and inorganic materials are deposited from the process. These can have a negative impact on product quality.

For our customers, a properly cleaned machine therefore not only means improved product quality and fewer rejects, but also cost optimisation as a result.

For which customers is this interessanting?

In general, this is interesting for all industries in which the technical cleanliness requirements exist and the cleaning of the machines cannot be carried out with the required care and expertise. Many industries face such challenges with their very sensitive products.

What advantages does the cleaning laboratory offer to the customer?

The benefits for the customer are numerous and can have a significant, positive impact on their business. The following points can be listed specifically:

• Ensuring a clean and safe manufacturing process
• Prevention/reduction of rejects
• Prevention/reduction of production downtime
• Ensuring product quality
• More planning reliability
• Continuous further development of cleaning technologies based on practical experience

These aspects lead to overall savings in terms of materials and costs. It is important to note that cleaning should not only be carried out when  the machine is dirty but should be carried out regularly as a preventative measure. 

Of course, the laboratory is also used to further develop cleaning processes. This is of course done with the help of appropriate measurement technology in order to be able to document the results achieved.

Here you will find everything you need to know about cleanroom technology!

What does the process look like?

In simple terms: the customer send us their machine, we clean it in our cleaning laboratory, then pack the machine in a cleanliness-compliant manner and send it back to the customer together with a certification for proper cleaning. This is usually done for new machines before they are brought into the cleanroom.

For machines from the ongoing process, continuous cleaning should be carried out on site in the cleanroom. Our employees will come to you and clean the machine.

Which air purity class does the cleaning laboratory correspond to?

The cleaning laboratory is ISO class 5 to ensure optimum conditions.

Would you like to find out more about the cleaning laboratory? Then download our free whitepaper on this topic.