Cleanliness compliances in automotive industry

Cleanliness of parts has not always been a priority for many part manufacturing facilities. However, with the OEMs’ newer stringent requirements related to tolerances & emission norms, these suppliers are now being compelled to focus on part cleanliness requirements. Most engines & transmission assemblies use high-precision parts with very low tolerances. Any tiny metallic or non-metallic particle in such OEM assemblies may impact the performance & life of the system when in operation. Hence, most OEMs have been continuously improving the cleanliness of all components before parts assembly.

Many OEMs began developing their cleanliness specifications or engineering requirements in early 2000. After the first edition of VDA 19 was published in January 2004, technical cleanliness has become increasingly important and an integral part of the automotive industry’s quality system. VDA 19 is a German automotive standard in two parts – 1. Prüfung der Technischen Sauberkeit (Testing of technical cleanliness) & 2. Technische Sauberkeit in der Montage (Technical cleanliness in assembly). ISO 16232 was first published in 2007 to focus on the cleanliness of components & systems of vehicles. This standard specifies requirements for applying and documenting methods for determining particulate contamination on functionally relevant components and systems (cleanliness inspection) of road vehicles.