Released on: January 31, 2008, 7:29 pm

Press Release Author: Jamie Knapp

Industry: Industrial

Press Release Summary: To deal with today's stringent cleanliness specifications in
the parts washing industry, Midbrook, Inc. of Jackson, Michigan is routinely
employing Gravimetric Testing. The Gravimetric (or Millipore) Test assures the
manufacturer that a certain level of soil is not still left on the part after it has
been cleaned in a production part cleaning system.

Press Release Body: By determining the amount of contamination left on a cleaned
part, a manufacturer can know whether or not they are meeting cleanliness
specifications before the part is shipped to the customer. According to Jack
Griffes of the Midbrook Technology Center, "Gravimetric testing is a fairly quick,
repeatable method to quantify residual contamination remaining on parts."

Meeting tough cleanliness specifications is a common challenge in the parts washing
industry. Washer manufacturers must be able to assist their customers in complying
with these specifications in order to maintain quality production and positive
customer relationships. To insure specifications are met, accurate and reliable
testing methods must be employed.

During the Gravimetric Test, the cleaned part is rinsed with a flushing solvent. The
solvent, with contaminant, is collected and filtered through a pre-weighed membrane
that has a specified micron rating. The membrane with the contaminant is then dried
and weighed. The net weight equals the overall amount of contaminant left on the
part.

Testing is important when dealing with cleanliness specifications. An objective
measurement like the Gravimetric Test helps determine the amount of contamination on
a part more reliably than a simple visual test. Contamination is often measured in
microns. A micron equals one millionth of a meter or 1/25,400 of an inch, and under
ideal lighting conditions the smallest dust visible is at least 50 microns in size.
Gravimetric Testing is able to verify the weigh of the soil that remains on the part
after the cleaning process, so that micron sized contamination is not overlooked
because it is not readily visible. Griffes adds "Gravimetric testing gives you a way
to monitor your process to insure your product is cleaner than your customer
require."

Meeting and exceeding expectation is a main goal of Midbrook. The Gravimetric
Testing process is uniquely designed to allow manufacturers to deliver high quality
parts that go beyond the basic specifications of a customer. According to Griffes,
"assembling cleaner parts leads to a cleaner final product which increases longevity
potential. " By delivering a cleaner part, an overall higher quality product is
produced."


Web Site: http://www.midbrook.com

Contact Details: Midbrook, Inc., 2080 Brooklyn Road, Jackson, MI 49203, Phone:
517-787-3481
Jamie Crowley mktg@midbrook.com
www.midbrook.com