Each year, the Fachverband industrielle Teilereinigung e. V. (FiT - Association for Industrial Parts Cleaning) presents the “FiT2clean Award” to recognize outstanding achievements and solutions in industrial component cleaning. The innovation prize, worth 10,000 euros, was awarded for the third time this year. Among the three finalists who presented their solutions to attendees on September 11 as part of the 32nd “Industrial Component Cleaning” symposium, PartikelART Solution GmbH took first place with an innovative app for quick and easy particle analysis. They were followed by solutions from acp systems AG and Kist + Escherich GmbH.
Component cleaning isn’t the most glamorous topic in the manufacturing chain, but it’s crucial for the quality of subsequent processes and the final products. Innovative solutions in cleaning technology also help ensure that production is sustainable and cost-effective — for example, by reducing resource consumption and scrap. And it’s not uncommon for them to be essential in turning product ideas into reality. “That is precisely why the Professional Association for Industrial Parts Cleaning has been presenting the annual FiT2clean Award since 2022,” reports Dr. Michael Flämmich, chairman of the FiT board. “Our goal is to promote and advance innovations in industrial cleaning technology.” In 2024, a total of nine companies and institutions submitted entries for the innovation award, showcasing new and further developments. “These were all exciting and forward-looking developments, each of which would have deserved an award,” adds Michael Flämmich. The three finalists—acp systems AG, Kist + Escherich GmbH, and PartikelART Solution GmbH—presented their developments on September 11 at the 32nd “Industrial Parts Cleaning” symposium to more than 120 conference participants, who helped select the winn
AI-based app for particle measurement and classification
The winner of the FiT2clean Award, which comes with a prize of 10,000 euros and a one-year free membership in the association, is PartikelART Solution GmbH. The company developed an AI-based, easy-to-use app for Android and iOS smartphones that allows particles starting at 200 µm Feret max to be measured and classified quickly, easily, and reliably directly on the production line. A purple square — located, for example, on a particle trap or a particle stamp - serves as a reference for size measurement. The classification of particles into metallic, non-metallic, and fibers is performed using AI-based image processing. As with a microscopic analysis, the measurement results can be output as a report and sent directly via email or saved. Compared to laboratory analyses, monitoring technical cleanliness with the app is significantly more cost-effective. Furthermore, the results are available immediately, allowing for an immediate response if necessary.
CO2 Snow as an extraction medium for particle analysis
The innovation from acp systems AG, which took second place, also focuses on testing technical cleanliness. For particle extraction—which is traditionally performed by rinsing with a liquid medium (often harmful to health and the environment) or by blowing off or vacuuming the component—the company has developed a completely new extraction device. It is based on the already established CO2 snow jet cleaning process, which uses recycled carbon dioxide as the medium. Since this method can remove particles down to the sub-micrometer range, the innovative extraction solution is particularly suitable for components with a specified particle size of less than 50 µm, as well as for electronic components that cannot be tested by rinsing or that previously had to be scrapped after testing. As a result, the extraction device not only enables cost savings but also conserves critical raw materials, energy, and reduces electronic waste.
Dry, contactless cleaning of printed circuit board magazines
Third place went to Kist + Escherich GmbH for a new cleaning solution for printed circuit board magazines. These complex containers are used in the electronics industry to transport printed circuit boards (PCBs, PCBAs), and when used in automatic placement machines, particles accumulate in the magazine slots, which can then be carried over into subsequent processes or into the products. The cleaning of printed circuit board magazines—which until now has typically not been performed at all or only sporadically by hand—is carried out on all sides, dry, and contact-free in the new system. Dust and particles are dislodged by rotating nozzles using ionized compressed air, captured by a suction stream, and fed into an embedded filter unit. The integrated electrostatic discharge is optimized for ESD applications. The system can be used both offline and inline and is programmable for different magazine sizes. The automated, dry cleaning of the magazines significantly reduces the risk of particle-related defects or even failures in sensitive electronic components.
The next FiT2clean Award is already on the horizon
“It’s not just the award-winning innovations, but also the other submitted new and improved developments that enable providers of industrial cleaning technology to ensure a more efficient, reliable, and sustainable implementation of current requirements in industrial parts cleaning,” notes Michael Flämmich. “And since work on new solutions is constantly underway, we’re already very curious about the submissions for the 2025 FiT2clean Award.” The FiT Innovation Award will be presented next year as part of parts2clean, which will take place October 7–9, 2025, at the Stuttgart Exhibition Center.