Ecoclean has introduced the EcoCbase, a new entry-level solvent cleaning system designed to provide smaller manufacturers with access to high-performance cleaning while keeping process, material and operating costs under control.
Developed for companies with lower capacity requirements, the compact plug-and-play machine is aimed at applications requiring reliable removal of oils, greases, emulsions and chips using non-halogenated hydrocarbons or modified alcohols. The system can be configured for pre-cleaning, intermediate cleaning and final cleaning operations, offering users flexibility to meet changing production requirements.
According to Ecoclean, increasing demands for component cleanliness are coinciding with more diverse product portfolios and smaller production batches, creating pressure on manufacturers to deliver high quality standards without increasing operating costs. The EcoCbase has been developed to address these challenges by combining process reliability with resource and energy efficiency in a compact footprint.
Available in S and M versions, the single-chamber full-vacuum cleaning system requires floor space of just 2,000 x 1,400mm and 2,500 x 1,600mm respectively. Its transport height of 1,940mm also allows installation in facilities with limited ceiling clearance.
The EcoCbase S accommodates batch sizes up to 430 x 225 x 200mm and weights of up to 50kg, while the larger M version handles components measuring up to 530 x 320 x 250mm and weighing as much as 75kg. Parts are loaded manually through an ergonomic loading station as standard, although automated handling can be added if required.
A key feature of the system is its focus on maintaining solvent quality to ensure consistent cleaning performance. The machine is supplied with a flood tank as standard and uses full-flow filtration during both filling and emptying of the working tank, supplemented by bypass filtration. Where a second tank is specified, it is equipped with its own dedicated filtration system.
Continuous solvent treatment is carried out via an integrated distillation unit, helping to maintain stable cleaning conditions while extending media life. Separated oil is automatically discharged into an external tank with level monitoring, enabling valuable machining oils to be recovered and reused.
Ecoclean says this approach contributes to reduced operating costs while supporting long-term process stability.
The working tank is filled and emptied by frequency-controlled flood pumps tailored to the cleaning task. Various cleaning processes can be combined to suit different component types and cleanliness requirements, including steam degreasing, spray cleaning, immersion cleaning and injection flood washing.
Additional process options include ultrasonic cleaning, Ultrasonic Plus technology and Pulsated Pressure Cleaning (PPC). Cleaning performance can be further enhanced through a frequency-controlled rotary drive that enables part rotation and positioning during the cleaning cycle.
This flexibility allows manufacturers to configure cleaning programmes for a wide range of applications while ensuring required cleanliness levels are achieved consistently. Process sequences are stored as part-specific programmes within the machine control system and can be selected via an intuitive HMI interface. The system offers up to 50 programme slots, providing scope for future production requirements and new cleaning tasks.
Ecoclean has also focused on reducing energy consumption. Solvent heating is achieved entirely through waste heat generated by the distillation process, while additional heat recovery functions further reduce energy demand and operating costs.
The machine incorporates a redundant safety concept with multiple automatic monitoring points for critical temperatures and pressures. Combined with what the company describes as a virtually emission-free cleaning process, these features are intended to support safe and sustainable operation.
Another advantage is the system's material compatibility, allowing components manufactured from different materials to be processed within the same machine. This can simplify cleaning operations for subcontractors and manufacturers handling a variety of workpieces.
Ecoclean believes the EcoCbase offers an attractive route into solvent cleaning for businesses with relatively low cleaning volumes, while also serving as a suitable solution for decentralised cleaning stations in larger production environments.
The system may also prove particularly beneficial in regions where water usage or wastewater disposal regulations make aqueous cleaning processes more challenging. In such cases, solvent cleaning can provide an alternative approach, provided it is suitable for the application.
To help customers assess suitability, Ecoclean offers cleaning trials at its test centres around the world, enabling manufacturers to evaluate cleaning performance before making an investment decision.