In demanding industrial sectors such as aerospace, automotive, metallurgical, and precision manufacturing, component cleaning has a direct impact on the quality, durability, and safety of production processes. Despite this, traditional washing methods still face a critical challenge: the generation of contaminating waste that needs to be disposed of or treated, increasing costs and raising the environmental responsibility of companies. At LMTerm, we believe that industrial efficiency and sustainability must go hand in hand, and therefore we work with technologies capable of delivering high performance without compromising the environment. A clear example of this evolution is the vacuum washing process developed by IFP Europe, which allows for deep cleaning of parts without generating contaminated effluents.
The difference in this system begins in the very first step of the process: the creation of a vacuum inside the chamber. By completely removing the internal air, the vacuum allows the solvent to easily reach hard-to-access areas, such as internal cavities, small holes, and complex geometries—something that conventional methods have difficulty achieving. This step also prevents the formation of bubbles that could hinder cleaning, ensuring greater precision from the start.
With the vacuum established, the first washing phase begins, known as heavy washing, using solvent from tank 1. This is the stage where most of the oils, greases, particles, and residues accumulated on the parts are removed. At the end of the cycle, all the solvent is drained, filtered to remove chips and solid contaminants, and completely reused. This eliminates the need for frequent disposal.
Next, precision washing takes place, performed with solvents from tanks 2 and, when programmed, tank 3. This stage is dedicated to fine cleaning, responsible for removing any remaining residue after the initial wash. It combines different methods—such as spray, rotation, immersion, and ultrasound—to achieve extremely high levels of cleanliness. Ultrasound, in particular, plays an essential role: its high-frequency waves dislodge microscopic particles and impurities hidden in complex areas, allowing the solvent to completely remove what would not be visible to the naked eye. As in the first stage, the solvent used is filtered and recirculated, keeping the process clean and continuous.
After these cleaning stages, comes the steam rinsing stage, a highly technological step that uses heated solvent in a gaseous state. This steam condenses directly onto the surface of the parts and runs off, removing any residue, while simultaneously heating the components to accelerate drying. This ensures a uniform finish on the washed parts.
Depending on the application of the parts and the customer’s needs, the machine can also apply an antioxidant treatment. For this, IFP uses a dedicated tank containing a liquid that acts as a protective agent mixed with the solvent. The product is applied by spray, creating a uniform and stable coating, without dripping, without accumulation, and with superior adhesion. All excess returns to its own filtration system, keeping the process completely closed.
The final stage is vacuum drying. In this phase, any solvent residue evaporates rapidly and is directed to a condenser, which recovers and purifies the material for immediate reuse. Only clean air is released, ensuring the process is safe for both the operator and the environment. This deep drying is especially important for parts with complex geometry.
This entire set of steps—vacuum, heavy washing, high-precision washing, ultrasound, steam, antioxidant protection, and final drying—operates within a completely closed system, with total solvent recirculation and continuous filtration. The result is a process that generates no contaminating residues, drastically reduces solvent consumption, and eliminates the need for effluent treatment. The cleaning achieved is highly consistent, deep, and suitable even for critical processes such as PVD, painting, precision machining, and assembly.
Implementing a clean wash system like IFP’s represents a significant advancement for companies seeking to combine productivity, cost savings, and environmental responsibility. Although it involves an initial investment and technical training, the operational benefits far outweigh conventional methods. In addition to reducing disposal and treatment costs, the process raises quality standards, ensures greater safety, contributes to more efficient production cycles, and positions companies within best practices in industrial sustainability. Cleaning parts without generating contaminating waste is no longer just a trend, it’s a necessity. For industries seeking competitiveness in an increasingly conscious market, IFP’s vacuum washing process demonstrates that it is entirely possible to combine technical performance, safety, and environmental responsibility. This is the path that LMTerm has chosen to follow and encourage: solutions that deliver excellence today without compromising the future.
