Our client, a medical device manufacturer specializing in the production of laboratory milling burs and dental drills made of carbide and surgical steel, approached us with the need to automate and accelerate the cleaning process of components after machining operations. Contaminants such as metal chips and coolant residues had to be removed effectively and gently before subsequent production stages.

Implemented solution

We proposed the NOYEN Compact 100 cleaning machine.

• Machine dimensions (mm): 1430 × 2640 × 2440
• Working basket dimensions (mm): 650 × 470 × 300
•  Maximum load capacity: 50 kg
•  Cycle time: 15 minutes

Previously, the cleaning process was carried out manually – it took up to 8 hours and required the involvement of 3-4 operators. The components were heavily contaminated with metal chips and coolant residues, requiring precise technical cleaning. An additional challenge was the tendency of the small, sharp parts to stick together, as well as the risk of surface damage caused by improper cleaning methods.

To meet these requirements, we designed a cleaning solution tailored to the customer’s production process, with particular focus on the very small dimensions and high precision of the manufactured tools.

Machine adaptation to customer requirements

In response to the challenges reported by the customer, we developed dedicated equipment for the NOYEN Compact 100 cleaning machine, including:

• Small internal baskets – preventing the movement of delicate burs during the cleaning process and protecting them from damage
• Cleaning cradle– thanks to gentle rocking motion, metal chips are naturally flushed away
• Protective basket coating – protecting the tools against mechanical damage
• Basket mesh sizes adapted to the dimensions of the tools:

• 2 × 2 mm – for larger dental drills
• 8 × 0.8 mm – for the smallest components

The cleaning machine was equipped with NOYEN PAL cleaning chemistry, which effectively removes coolant residues and fine metal chips while remaining safe for highly delicate tools.

Results of the NOYEN Compact 100 implementation 

• Reduction of process time from 8 hours to 15 minutes
• Reduction of labour requirements from 4 operators to a single operator
• Increased production efficiency and workflow
• Achievement of a high level of technical cleanliness in accordance with medical industry requirements
• Safe cleaning of the smallest and most delicate tools without the risk of damage

The customer chose the NOYEN solution due to the possibility of fully automating the cleaning and drying process within a single cycle, eliminating the previously separated and inefficient process stages.

Key factors included:

• Integration of cleaning and drying within a single, closed process
• Increased efficiency through the elimination of manual operations and significant process time reduction
• Higher quality and repeatability, essential in the demanding dental industry
• Ease of operation and intuitive programs enabling rapid operator training
• Ability to adjust process parameters to the specific characteristics of the components
• Technical and implementation support ensuring smooth system commissioning and start-up