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BY CHRIS FELIX CONTRIBUTOR Often considered non-value-added steps, post-process opera- tions such as cleaning, deburring and even gaging can become low-priorities, leaving a shop rushing through them or ignoring opportunities to improve the way they are carried out for the sake of shorter lead times and lower costs. But this approach can be dangerous, as such processes typically have an effect on the final appearance, quality and performance of the part. In some critical applications such as medical and aerospace, the importance of the finish is obvious. In others, it might not be so clear. In either case, when the parts go out the door, the customers better be happy with what they receive. The further into the production schedule that flaws are found, the more costly they become, and if they're found while in the customer's hands, the greatest expense may be the loss of future business. Higher Quality is the Goal If a company is aware of a quality issue with its products, of Appreciating the Value of Secondary Cleaning Processes Cleaning can often be the deciding factor in production of an acceptable part. course it will take the proper measures to resolve the problem. Sometimes the issue may be the result of a particular step of the production process that is flawed in some way. Sometimes the issue is an inherent part of the product, regardless of who is producing it, and an entirely different method must be devel- oped or a step added to compensate for the shortcoming. Aluminum die castings are a critical part of the auto industry. Engine blocks, transmissions, air conditioning systems and other components use aluminum die castings. But these castings have a problem with porosity that can be partially controlled, but not eliminated. Castings, by nature, go from a liquid to a solid. During this densification process, the casting shrinks, and as it cools at different rates, it develops porosity. This porosity can lead to leakage in the casting unless other steps are taken to counteract the effect. The auto industry has been fighting this issue for years, even as it has continued to improve castings. The biggest influencer on casting quality— atmosphere—is something that cannot be controlled, and humidity and moisture have a significant, yet widely ranging effect on porosity. Generally, after the casting process, the part is machined, and it is either leak tested to identify leak paths from one side to another or it is impregnated to close the porosity. If porosity is not controlled, leaks will occur. Delivering on a Need Imtech of California Inc. in Santa Fe Springs is a full-service job shop offering parts cleaning, impregnating and final leak testing tailored to customer needs. Imtech's large autoclaves and specialized impregnation techniques are designed to handle a wide range of part sizes and quantities. According to President Peter Gebhard, it would be quite difficult to get through a day without touching something that companies like his didn't have a part in producing. "Every car, truck, aircraft, water treat- ment facility and pump has an The airless vacuum cleaning system is a closed-loop system with built-in distilla- tion, heated vacuum solvent recovery. 30 NOVEMBER 2015 — pfonline.com PARTS CLEANING