CNIM cuts parts-cleaning time by 80 hours a month

CNIM Group is a French equipment manufacturer and industrial contractor serving major public and private organisations, including the armed forces, local authorities and international state bodies, as well as major groups such as Veolia, ITER, Wienerberger and Akuo Energy.

The Group operates across sectors including environment, energy, defence and high technology. As part of the maintenance of equipment manufactured by CNIM in La Seyne-sur-Mer, the workshop cleans and renovates metal mechanical components of different sizes, including spreaders, connecting rods and hooks weighing up to 80 kg and measuring more than one metre.

Until then, the cleaning process was carried out in several stages, most often manually.

CNIM places strong emphasis on environmental responsibility and compliance with employee health and safety requirements, creating a need for a safer and more efficient cleaning process.

The Safetykleen solution

To provide a faster and safer cleaning solution for employees and the environment, Safetykleen proposed a Sonickleen ultrasonic machine combined with a water-based cleaning solution. The Sonickleen solution also meets the applicable requirements for cleaning parts classified as war material.

Ultrasonic technology cleans complex-shaped parts efficiently and precisely, including difficult-to-reach areas and stubborn contamination. Automatic cycles reduce manual intervention, while the system helps keep the bath surface clean and supports consistent results.

The solution delivers consistent cleaning results without paint residues and uses automatic cycles that allow operators to work on other tasks while cleaning takes place. The approach is estimated to save 1,000 working hours per year. Safetykleen’s All-in-One service also removes the administrative and logistical burden of waste management by collecting and treating waste at its ICPE-classified centres.

The cleaning solution is VOC-free, non-flammable and classified as non-hazardous, providing a safer alternative to the previous process.

“We have long searched for an automatic solution but even the most aggressive solvet-based solution didn’t achieve acceptable results. Safetykleen’s demo clean was conclusive, so we opted for their solution.”

Nathan Maffiolo, Head of methods surface treatment, CNIM

Results

Safetykleen’s All-in-One service has enabled CNIM to adopt a safer, healthier and faster parts-cleaning process with a reduced environmental impact.

Occupational health and safety as a priority

The cleaning solutions are classified as non-hazardous and non-flammable, helping create a safer working environment for operators who were previously exposed to solvent-based cleaning. Sonickleen’s automated cycles also reduce the physical demands of the process, while the intuitive controls make cycle time and temperature easy to programme.

Improved productivity

Automation frees operators from manual cleaning and sandblasting tasks. After the cleaning cycle and a quick rinse, parts can be prepared for repainting, helping the team move work through the workshop more efficiently.

Efficient and precise cleaning

Ultrasonic technology effectively cleans and strips parts, including difficult-to-reach areas and stubborn grease and paint residues.

Reduced environmental impact

The VOC-free, water-based cleaning solution and Sonickleen ultrasonic machine provide a safer alternative with a reduced environmental impact. Waste generated through the process is also collected during service visits and treated at ICPE-classified centres.