Cleaning for the VDA 19.1 and ISO 16232 norms

The ability to clean according to the cleanliness class has become an important criterion followed by many manufacturing companies when choosing services and cleaning machines. The concept of technical cleanliness is particularly significant in the automotive industry and concerns cleanliness in terms of the level of contamination, particles sizes, as well as the conditions in which the components are manufactured and tested. Many test standards can help determine whether or not certain cleanliness requirements have been met. In which industries and for what purpose are the cleanliness standards used and what does VDA or ISO cleaning means?

Cleaning according to the cleanliness class – what is the process about?

Cleaning for the cleanliness class is a process used in many industries – automotive, manufacturing, optical, aerospace, medical and others. Cleaning according to the cleanliness class allows to meet the ever-increasing market requirements and ensure the highest quality of manufactured components. The degree of parts cleanliness is determined on the basis of the level of contamination on the surface – as part of the examination of whether a given element meets a given cleanliness standard, the weight of soluble and insoluble contamination, the number of contamination particles of a given size, as well as their type and chemical composition, are assessed.

Before the cleaning process is carried out, the parts are usually subjected to many machining processes, and as a result, various types of contamination are formed on the surface. Even microparticles can cause errors in the operation of components, which is why it is so important to subject the parts to an effective cleaning process. The key is the correct selection of technologies and cleaning agents intended to remove a specific type of contamination.

There are many research methods to determine the cleanliness degree of a given part. Depending on the type and purpose of the manufactured components, manufacturers follow internal cleanliness standards based on the guidelines specified, e.g. VDA 19.1 and ISO 16232. What is VDA and ISO cleaning?

Cleaning for VDA 19.1

VDA 19.1 is a set of standards defining guidelines for technical cleanliness testing developed by the German association of the automotive industry, Verband der Automobilindustrie. The guidelines define the scope of technical cleanliness testing, the method of analyzing the measurement, as well as checking whether the measurement results comply with the requirements. Automotive manufacturers create their own cleanliness standards based on VDA 19.1. Cleaning for the VDA 19.1 cleanliness class means adjusting the process in terms of the scope and techniques of technical cleanliness measurements. The cleanliness standards based on the guidelines defined by VDA 19.1 are used in particular for German brands.

ISO cleaning solutions

ISO 16232 is a worldwide set of technical cleanliness guidelines that define cleanliness standards for how to test the technical cleanliness of components in the automotive industry. ISO 16232 provides guidelines on how to test and analyze the obtained results, but it does not define the degree of cleanliness of the components, i.e. the number and type of particles on their surface. These types of factors are defined by the clients’ own standards, which depend on the type and purpose of the manufactured parts. As with VDA 19.1, cleaning to ISO 16232 cleanliness refers to the way the test is performed. The cleaning process is verified by testing in accordance with these standards.

VDA and ISO cleaning services – NOYEN industrial cleaning machines

Cleaning to the cleanliness class is a process that requires appropriate technology and the use of cleaning agents adapted to the type of parts and contamination. NOYEN’s offer includes VDA 19.1 and ISO 16232 cleaning machines and meeting the stringent requirements related to technical cleanliness resulting from them. These are, for example, machines from the NOYEN Compact series equipped with functions such as full rotation of the part and even three-level filtration allowing for effective removal of contaminants. Our experts will help you select the best industrial cleaning machine, tell you what robotic automation is and explain why it becomes more and more needed.

NOYEN renders services of industrial cleaning and designs cleaning machines. If you want to know what is robotic process automation and how it can benefit your company, contact us – our experts will find the best solution for you!