ABSTRACT
Drying is the third step in the cleaning process, and it is one that is too o¨en neglected.1 Drying is removing residual rinsing agent and, in some cases, residual washing agent, from the part without redepositing soil on the part and without damaging the part itself. ¤e drying process has to be chosen carefully with consideration of the product, process ¯ow, and ultimate use of the product. In planning a cost-e¥ective cleaning process, budget some money for an e¥ective drying system. Particularly with aqueous cleaning, many manufacturers have found it to be the most time-consuming step in the cleaning process. ¤is is because drying requires that the product be heated and agitated. If the product cannot tolerate a high temperature, for physical drying, the drying step must be longer and slower. In addition, if a fairly large component must be heated to a high temperature, it may be too hot to handle for longer than you may ©nd tolerable to achieve e£cient process ¯ow.
