An industrial robotic high-pressure washing system is an automated robotic system designed for cleaning industrial components, equipment, or surfaces using high-pressure water jets, often combined with detergents, chemicals, or abrasives. These systems integrate industrial robots (typically articulated arms) with high-pressure water delivery systems to remove dirt, grease, coatings, burrs, or contaminants with precision and efficiency. They are used in heavy-duty industrial settings such as manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and metalworking to improve cleaning consistency, reduce labor, enhance safety, and support tasks like surface preparation or deburring.


Key Components and Features:

  1. High-Pressure Pump: Generates water pressure (1,000–8,000 PSI or 70–550 bar, sometimes up to 40,000 PSI for hydroblasting) to clean or deburr surfaces.
  2. Industrial Robotic Arm: A multi-axis (typically 6-axis) articulated robot that positions the high-pressure nozzle with precision, enabling complex cleaning paths on 2D or 3D surfaces.
  3. Nozzle System: Specialized nozzles (fixed, rotating, or flat-jet) for directing water jets, with options for abrasive additives or chemical injection for enhanced cleaning.
  4. Control System: Software for programming cleaning paths, controlling water pressure, flow rate, and robot movements, often integrated with CAD/CAM or PLCs for automation.
  5. Water and Chemical Supply: Tanks, hoses, or reservoirs for water and cleaning agents, with optional water recycling or filtration to minimize waste.
  6. Sensors and Vision Systems: Cameras, laser sensors, or 3D vision systems to detect surface contours, ensure accurate nozzle placement, and monitor cleaning quality.
  7. Environmental Protection: Waterproof, corrosion-resistant robot designs (e.g., IP67-rated or HE models) to withstand wet, chemical, or abrasive environments.
  8. Safety Features: Includes splash guards, fume extraction, safety interlocks, and protective enclosures to shield operators from high-pressure jets, noise, and chemicals.
  9. Material Handling Integration: Interfaces with conveyors, fixtures, or part rotators to position workpieces for cleaning.

How It Works:

  • The workpiece (e.g., engine block, metal part, or equipment) is positioned on a fixture, conveyor, or cleaning cell.

  • The robot is programmed with a cleaning path via CAD/CAM, teach-pendant, or vision-guided systems.
  • The high-pressure pump delivers water (or water with abrasives/chemicals) through the nozzle, which the robot directs at the target surface to remove contaminants or burrs.
  • The robotic arm ensures precise nozzle positioning, maintaining optimal distance and angle for uniform cleaning, even on complex geometries.
  • Sensors and vision systems provide real-time feedback to adjust for surface variations, obstacles, or cleaning requirements.
  • Water and debris are collected in a catch tank, often with recycling systems to manage runoff.

Advantages:

  • Precision Cleaning: Ensures uniform cleaning or deburring, even on intricate or hard-to-reach surfaces.
  • High Efficiency: Reduces cleaning time by up to 80–90% compared to manual methods, boosting throughput.
  • Safety: Minimizes operator exposure to high-pressure jets, chemicals, or hazardous environments.
  • Versatility: Cleans diverse materials (e.g., metals, composites, plastics) and supports applications like washing, deburring, or surface preparation.
  • Automation: Enhances repeatability, reduces labor costs, and integrates with production lines.
  • Environmental Benefits: Water recycling and optimized chemical use reduce waste and emissions.

Applications:

  • Automotive: Cleaning engine blocks, cylinder heads, or chassis components; deburring machined parts.
  • Aerospace: Washing aircraft components (e.g., turbine blades, composites) or removing coatings without thermal damage.
  • Metalworking: Deburring or cleaning stamped, cast, or machined parts to remove swarf, oil, or burrs.
  • Heavy Machinery: Cleaning large equipment or structural components for construction or mining.
  • Marine: Removing rust, marine growth, or coatings from ship hulls or offshore structures.
  • Electronics: Cleaning precision components or enclosures without damaging delicate surfaces.

Limitations:

  • High Initial Cost: Systems, including robots, pumps, and sensors, require significant investment.
  • Maintenance: High-pressure components (nozzles, pumps, seals) wear quickly, necessitating regular upkeep.
  • Complex Integration: Requires expertise to program robots and synchronize with cleaning systems or production lines.
  • Noise and Water Management: Generates loud noise and requires water recycling or runoff systems.
  • Surface Sensitivity: Improper pressure settings can damage delicate materials or coatings.

Recommended Industrial Robot Models for High-Pressure Washing:

Below are industrial robot models well-suited for high-pressure washing systems, based on their durability, environmental resistance, and proven performance in wet or harsh conditions. These are drawn from industry use cases and manufacturer specifications:

  1. Stäubli TX2-90 HE / TX2-200 HE (Humid Environment)
  • Description: 6-axis robots specifically designed for high-pressure washing and deburring in wet, corrosive environments, used by automotive suppliers like Hyundai and Nissan.
  • Key Features:
  • IP65/IP67-rated, fully sealed, and pressurized to resist water, chemicals, and pressures up to 8,000 PSI (550 bar).
  • Payloads: TX2-90 (20 kg), TX2-200 (170 kg), suitable for carrying cleaning tools or heavy workpieces.
  • Reach: TX2-90 (1,000 mm), TX2-200 (2,194 mm), ideal for small to large parts.
  • Corrosion-resistant, operates in -30°C to +80°C, with high repeatability (±0.03 mm).
  • Flexible mounting (floor, wall, ceiling) for versatile cleaning angles.
  • Applications: Automotive (engine cleaning, deburring), aerospace, and metalworking.
  • Why Recommended: Proven in harsh, wet environments with high precision and durability; used in systems by Maschinenbau Silberhorn for washing/deburring cells.
  • Availability: Stäubli Robotics (staubli.com), with global integrators for custom washing solutions.
  1. KUKA KR CYBERTECH nano (KR 8 R1620 HP)
  • Description: A compact, high-protection 6-axis robot designed for wet or dusty environments, suitable for high-pressure washing tasks.
  • Key Features:
  • IP65/IP67-rated (wrist and arm), with additional sealing for high-pressure water exposure.
  • Payload: 8 kg; Reach: 1,621 mm, ideal for small to medium-sized cleaning tasks.
  • High repeatability (±0.04 mm) for precise nozzle positioning.
  • Supports harsh environments with corrosion-resistant coatings and sealed joints.
  • Compatible with KUKA.SafeOperation for safe human-robot collaboration in cleaning cells.
  • Applications: Automotive part cleaning, electronics, and general manufacturing.
  • Why Recommended: Compact design, robust protection, and affordability for mid-sized washing systems; widely used in industrial automation.
  • Availability: KUKA Robotics (kuka.com), with integrators for washing system integration.
  1. FANUC M-20iD/25 (Washdown Version)
  • Description: A 6-axis robot with a washdown design for high-pressure cleaning applications in wet or chemical-heavy environments.
  • Key Features:
  • IP67-rated, with sealed cables and corrosion-resistant coatings to withstand high-pressure water and detergents.
  • Payload: 25 kg; Reach: 1,831 mm, suitable for medium-sized components.
  • High-speed operation and repeatability (±0.02 mm) for efficient cleaning cycles.
  • Designed for harsh environments, including food-grade cleaning with NSF-H1 lubricants.
  • Supports FANUC vision systems (iRVision) for guided cleaning.
  • Applications: Automotive, aerospace, and food processing equipment cleaning.
  • Why Recommended: Reliable, versatile, and widely supported, with a strong track record in wet environments and easy integration with cleaning systems.
  • Availability: FANUC Robotics (fanucamerica.com), with global system integrators.
  1. ABB IRB 6700 (Wet Environment Configuration)
  • Description: A robust 6-axis robot with enhanced protection for high-pressure washing and cleaning in industrial settings.
  • Key Features:
  • IP67-rated, with optional stainless steel or corrosion-resistant coatings for wet, chemical environments.
  • Payloads: 150–300 kg; Reach: 2,650–3,200 mm, ideal for large parts or heavy cleaning tools.
  • High repeatability (±0.05 mm) for precise nozzle control.
  • LeanID wrist design reduces wear in high-pressure water applications.
  • Compatible with ABB SafeMove for safe operation in cleaning cells.
  • Applications: Heavy machinery, marine, and large-scale manufacturing cleaning.
  • Why Recommended: High payload and reach for large components, with robust design for demanding industrial washing tasks.
  • Availability: ABB Robotics (global.abb), with integrators for custom washing solutions.
  1. Yaskawa Motoman HP20D (High-Protection Version)
  • Description: A 6-axis robot optimized for high-pressure washing and wet environments, used in automotive and industrial cleaning applications.
  • Key Features:
  • IP67-rated, with sealed joints and corrosion-resistant materials to handle water jets and chemicals.
  • Payload: 20 kg; Reach: 1,717 mm, suitable for medium-sized cleaning tasks.
  • Repeatability (±0.06 mm) for consistent nozzle positioning.
  • Compact design for integration into tight cleaning cells.
  • Supports Yaskawa’s vision systems for adaptive cleaning.
  • Applications: Automotive part washing, metalworking, and general industrial cleaning.
  • Why Recommended: Cost-effective, reliable, and well-suited for mid-sized washing systems with good environmental resistance.
  • Availability: Yaskawa Motoman (motoman.com), with global support for system integration.

Selection Considerations:

  • Environmental Resistance: Choose IP67-rated or HE (humid environment) models like Stäubli TX2-90/200 HE or FANUC M-20iD/25 for wet, corrosive conditions.
  • Payload and Reach: Select based on workpiece size and cleaning tool weight (e.g., ABB IRB 6700 for large parts, KUKA KR CYBERTECH nano for smaller components).
  • Precision Requirements: Higher repeatability (e.g., FANUC ±0.02 mm, Stäubli ±0.03 mm) is critical for intricate cleaning or deburring tasks.
  • Application Type: Stäubli and FANUC are ideal for precision automotive/aerospace cleaning, while ABB excels for heavy-duty tasks like marine or machinery cleaning.
  • Integration Needs: Ensure compatibility with high-pressure pumps (e.g., Hammelmann, Kärcher) and vision systems for automated cleaning cells.
  • Budget: Yaskawa HP20D and KUKA KR CYBERTECH nano are more affordable, while Stäubli and ABB offer premium performance for high-end applications.
  • System Integrators: Work with integrators like Maschinenbau Silberhorn (for Stäubli) or Fives Group (for RoboWash systems) to customize solutions.

Summary:

Industrial robotic high-pressure washing systems automate cleaning and deburring tasks with precision, safety, and efficiency in demanding manufacturing environments. Recommended robot models include Stäubli TX2-90/200 HE for wet-environment durability, KUKA KR CYBERTECH nano for compact affordability, FANUC M-20iD/25 for versatile washdown applications, ABB IRB 6700 for heavy-duty tasks, and Yaskawa HP20D for cost-effective performance. Selection depends on payload, reach, environmental resistance, and application needs. Contact manufacturers (e.g., staubli.com, fanucamerica.com) or integrators for specifications, demos, or custom solutions, and ensure proper maintenance and safety protocols to maximize system longevity and performance.


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