The program of the 32nd FiT Industrial Component Cleaning Conference on 11 and 12 September comprised 15 presentations. This year's motto was: "FiT - 20 years in the service of industrial component cleaning - A look back and two forwards combine tradition and innovation". During the two days in Dresden, the 121 participants learned about the progress made in industrial parts cleaning in recent decades from the perspectives of systems engineering, chemistry and measurement technology.
Presentation of the FiT2clean Award 2024
The first day concluded with the presentation of the 3rd FiT2clean Award. After the three finalists had presented their solutions, the participants voted for the winner. The 10,000 euro innovation prize went to PartikelART Solution GmbH with an AI-based app for quick and easy particle analysis. The solutions from acp systems AG and Kist + Escherich GmbH followed in second and third place.
Plenary presentations on various topics
The speakers discussed the challenges and changes in parts cleaning due to the transformation from combustion engines to e-mobility and hydrogen technology. The cleanliness requirements that need to be met in the final cleaning of components for the semiconductor industry, medical technology, hydraulics and vacuum technology, for example, were also highlighted. Other presentations provided information on product development for cleaning media and the influence of national and international chemicals legislation. The examination of developments in solvent and aqueous parts cleaning as well as advances in processes and procedures, including partial cleaning, offered solutions for mastering current challenges in parts cleaning sustainably, reliably and economically.
Cleanliness analysis and VDA 19
The presentations on the second day dealt with the topics of "Measuring & Testing", VDA 19, AI and surface cleanliness in high-purity applications. Participants were also brought up to date on the FiT guideline "Process solutions".
FiT board elected for three years
The association's general meeting also saw the election of a new board member. The previous board member Andreas Pradel (Surtec Deutschland GmbH) did not stand for re-election at his own request. The other members of the previous board stood for re-election. Birgit Fruggel (Senior Expert Surface Conditioning & Technical Cleanliness, Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG) presented her expertise from a user perspective as a new candidate. All candidates were unanimously elected for the next three years. Dr. Michael Flämmich (Vacom Vakuum Komponenten & Messtechnik GmbH) once again holds the office of Chairman of the Board, Rainer Straub (Ecoclean GmbH) that of Deputy Chairman.