Cleanliness Requirements

Depending on the type of product your factory produces there are different definitions of "clean".

For electronics there are a series of cleanliness guidelines that can be quite intense.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed a code system called ISO Cleanliness codes, a universal standard for measuring and reporting particulate contamination levels in fluids. ISO 4406:99 is the newest
and most commonly used cleanliness code.

For more routine electrical and mechanical components you may also have requirements. These are stampings, laminations, forgings, machined steel, etc. Often a drawing will say something like "free of debris" or "clean and oil free". How does your plant handle these requirements? My experience is that usually there is minimal attention paid to cleanliness. Unless there has been a complaint in the past, parts are shipped with standard due care. What is standard due care?

• Practices such as:
• Parts are cleaned with machining coolant with no specific method defined.
• Parts are wiped down with whatever paper shop towel or rag that is provided.
• Blown off with air.
• Parts are put through a washer.
• Nothing is done at all because the process is considered to be clean (like plastic molding for example)

Does your plant monitor cleanliness? Let me know your experience. Please!