Abstract: Methods and apparatus to treat workpieces with process fluid are disclosed. A disclosed example installation for the treatment of a workpiece with a process fluid includes a workpiece receptacle region for receiving the workpiece, an impingement unit for impinging the workpiece in the workpiece receptacle region with the process fluid, and a closable operating chamber that is provided with at least a partial vacuum. The disclosed installation also includes a housing disposed in an interior space of the operating chamber, where the housing includes a suction connector, and where the housing is to surround a workpiece that is received in the workpiece receptacle region.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a pulsating pressurized fluid jet are disclosed. One disclosed example includes a line system having at least one nozzle with at least one nozzle orifice from which a pulsating fluid jet of pressurized fluid emerges, and a chamber having a pressure wave generating device to generate fluid pressure waves, where the chamber is in fluid communication with the line system through an outlet opening for the generated fluid pressure waves. The disclosed example also includes a setting device for controlling the amplitude of the fluid pressure waves in the line system upstream of the at least one nozzle orifice where the setting device sets a quotient of a path length of the fluid pressure waves between the outlet opening and the at least one nozzle orifice, and the wavelength of the fluid pressure waves in the line system.

Abstract: An apparatus determines soiling of an object and includes a rinsing zone for rinsing off dirt particles built up on an object with a fluid. A collecting arrangement includes a retaining device for capturing the dirt particles rinsed off from the object and a measuring device measures a physical parameter of the captured dirt particles. A transport system moves the dirt particles captured with the retaining device to the measuring device to permit measuring the physical parameter of the captured dirt particles.

Abstract: To provide an installation for cleaning and/or deburring workpieces, comprising a treatment region configured to enable a cleaning treatment and/or a deburring treatment to be performed on a workpiece therein, a loading device for transferring the workpiece from an outer area of the installation into the treatment region and an unloading device for transferring the workpiece from the treatment region into the outer area of the installation, with which installation there is achieved a high workpiece throughput with a favourable cleaning and/or deburring result, it is proposed that the loading device and/or the unloading device comprises at least one treatment device configured to enable the workpiece to be treated during the transfer between the outer area of the installation and the treatment region of the installation.

Abstract: In order to provide a process container for carrying out a cleaning process, a drying process, a deburring process, a coating process and/or a coating removal process on a workpiece in the interior of the process container, comprising a wall delimiting the interior of the process container, which is usable in a maintenance-friendly and flexible manner, it is proposed that the process container comprises at least one medium passage, by means of which a medium is guidable through the wall of the process container, at least two different process elements of different types being adaptable to at least one of the medium passages.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to clean and dry cavities are disclosed. A disclosed example tool apparatus includes an inner tube to provide a fluid to the cavity when the tool apparatus is positioned relative to the cavity, and an annular tube surrounding the inner tube, where the annular tube is fluidly coupled to a suction chamber and where the suction chamber is fluidly coupled to a vacuum vessel. The example tool apparatus also includes a valve disposed between the suction chamber and the vacuum vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preparing and coating a workpiece surface are disclosed. A disclosed method for one or more of working or preparing a surface for coating of a workpiece includes introducing a macroscopic structure into the surface of the workpiece with a tool, where after introducing the macroscopic structure, the surface of the workpiece is to be exposed to a fluid for producing microstructures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool for cleaning and/or drying a cavity in a workpiece, such as a hole, in particular a threaded bore. The workpiece has a workpiece adapter. The workpiece adapter includes a workpiece contact surface and has a connector for feeding cleaning medium and/or drying medium. There is an opening in the connection adapter for discharging cleaning medium and/or drying medium containing dirt particles. A nozzle having a nozzle chamber is formed in the workpiece adapter. The connector opens into the nozzle chamber such that a cyclonic flow of the fed cleaning medium and/or drying medium can form in the nozzle and exits the nozzle. The cyclonic flow transports dirt particles from the cavity in the workpiece to the opening for discharging dirt particles and cleaning medium and/or drying medium.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine workpiece contamination are disclosed. One disclosed example apparatus includes a filter membrane to capture dirt particles from a characteristic volume, where the dirt particles are introduced to the liquid volume by subjecting the workpiece to the liquid volume. The example apparatus also includes a transporting device to move a portion of the filter membrane or a sensor relative to the portion. The example apparatus also includes an analysis computer to determine, based on the sensor, a dirt particle load of the liquid volume, where the dirt particle load is based on one or more of a type, a number, a size, or a size distribution of dirt particles accumulated on a section of the filter membrane.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor and control cleaning systems are disclosed. One disclosed example method includes detecting initial contamination of workpieces before cleaning and detecting residual contamination of workpieces after cleaning. The example method also includes determining, via a processor, a system malfunction from a comparison of the initial contamination with a first threshold value and from a comparison of the final contamination with a second threshold value.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a pulsating pressurized fluid jet are disclosed. One disclosed example includes a line system having at least one nozzle with at least one nozzle orifice from which a pulsating fluid jet of pressurized fluid emerges, and a chamber having a pressure wave generating device to generate fluid pressure waves, where the chamber is in fluid communication with the line system through an outlet opening for the generated fluid pressure waves. The disclosed example also includes a setting device for controlling the amplitude of the fluid pressure waves in the line system upstream of the at least one nozzle orifice where the setting device sets a quotient of a path length of the fluid pressure waves between the outlet opening and the at least one nozzle orifice, and the wavelength of the fluid pressure waves in the line system.

Abstract: Nozzle apparatus and methods for treating workpieces are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a nozzle module and a first nozzle chamber disposed within the nozzle module. The first nozzle chamber has a first nozzle opening and is to deliver a relatively high pressure fluid to the first nozzle opening. The example apparatus also includes a second nozzle chamber disposed within the nozzle module and having a second nozzle opening, the second nozzle chamber to deliver a relatively low pressure fluid to a second nozzle opening. A first flow of the low pressure fluid at least partially contacts a second flow of the high pressure fluid. The second flow is directed onto a workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus controls the temperature of objects such as workpieces after a cleaning operation. The apparatus has a controlled temperature zone (14), which is formed as a cooling and/or heating zone and in which the objects can be subjected to an incident flow of gaseous fluid. The controlled temperature zone (14) is formed in a chamber (12) which can be subjected to a fluid flow (58) which flows into the chamber (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool for cleaning and/or drying a cavity in a workpiece, such as a hole, in particular a threaded bore. The workpiece has a workpiece adapter. The workpiece adapter includes a workpiece contact surface and has a connector for feeding cleaning medium and/or drying medium. There is an opening in the connection adapter for discharging cleaning medium and/or drying medium containing dirt particles. A nozzle having a nozzle chamber is formed in the workpiece adapter. The connector opens into the nozzle chamber such that a cyclonic flow of the fed cleaning medium and/or drying medium can form in the nozzle and exits the nozzle. The cyclonic flow transports dirt particles from the cavity in the workpiece to the opening for discharging dirt particles and cleaning medium and/or drying medium.

Abstract: In order to provide a cleaning apparatus for cleaning workpieces, comprising at least one workpiece holder for a workpiece that is to be cleaned, that allows easy, flexible and reliable checking of the workpiece position, it is proposed that the cleaning apparatus comprises at least one ranging sensor that produces a signal, from which it is derivable whether a workpiece is held in the correct position on the workpiece holder.