A unique and innovative cleanliness test bench that allows to increase test efficiency and reduce costs for cleanliness assessment of hydraulic, automotive and aeronautic components and systems

Project Information

CLEAN CABINET

Grant agreement ID: 829735

DOI

10.3030/829735

Project closed

EC signature date 21 August 2018

Start date 1 September 2018

End date 31 October 2021

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 2 501 412,50

EU contribution

€ 1 750 988,75

Coordinated by

OILSAFE SRL
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - CLEAN CABINET (A unique and innovative cleanliness test bench that allows to increase test efficiency and reduce costs for cleanliness assessment of hydraulic, automotive and aeronautic components and systems)

Reporting period: 2021-03-01 to 2021-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

CLEAN CABINET is a new and disruptive solution for cleanliness evaluation of hydraulic components. It enables to test the cleanliness condition of a wide range of hydraulic components and systems, at much lower cost and in a more efficient way.
The system integrates, in a single device, all the functions required for cleanliness testing. Moreover, the process is totally automated and much faster, gaining in reliability and repeatability.
CLEAN CABINET has a compact size to be easily installed in production lines, and no skilled technician is needed to operate it. The automatic flushing system is by far more efficient than the manual rinsing, due to the much higher pressures (up to 25 bar) and flow rates (up to 75 l/min.) used. Moreover, each reference is flushed using specific process parameters to optimise the extraction process.
The contaminants are collected with a membrane filter that, without human intervention, is dried and transferred to the analysis area, avoiding any contamination risk. Then, they are analysed by means of a high-resolution camera and a dedicated image analysis software. Even the final report with the results is generated automatically and, thanks to the remote communication features of CLEAN CABINET, it can be checked remotely.
The whole process only takes less than a hour, enabling for quick reaction if a quality problem is detected.
These are some of the key features:
- All the operations are performed automatically in a single device.
- Very efficient for all types of contaminants and component geometries.
- Can be easily integrated in manufacturing lines. No laboratory needed.
- Easy to operate: no skilled operators are required.
- Fully compliant with ISO16232.
- Faster, more reliable and much cheaper than state-of-the-art solutions.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

A Clean Cabinet full operative prototype was built. All verification tests and testing have given positive results.
During the 3rd period of the project, our effort was focused on promotional activities through trade fairs, special events and digital channels and social networks (Linkedin). The company website has been improved and a website dedicated to Clean Cabinet has been created (www.cleancabinet.it)
Individual meetings were organized with specific customers interested in the Clean Cabinet.
Commercial activities can be split in 2 different stages consistent with development product progress.
First and second period
New project Web site and update of the existing Oilsafe corporate web site aimed promoting Clean Cabinet idea and the product concept. These actions provided broad visibility and after a few months our SEO was very effective. Searches in Google with many specific words has shown Oilsafe Clean Cabinets in the first pages in Italian market and in second page in US and English markets. As a result, we released preliminary quotes of the machines from second half of 2019 and we had several videocall with potential foreign customers.
We performed a Competitors and market analyses, checking: available systems in the market, requirements and needs of potential customers and market analyses focus on European countries
Results allowed us to prepare a marketing plan for second period, including attendance to exhibitions, digital and paper marketing plan and organization of special events. We attended Gis (hold in Piacenza October 2019) however the rest of the planned events, Samoter (Italy-March 2020), Control messe (Germany-May 2020) and Automotive expo (Germany-June 2020) were cancelled.
To develop our Sales network in Italy, we have hired 3 agents and to open new markets we are looking for potential agents in Germany and other countries like Brasil.
To engage potential customers and increase our market reputation we have organized a Webinar focus on ISO16232 norm. Its aim was to let the attendance know more about the technical application of the norm and how to perform an effective analyses with Clean Cabinet.
During the Third period (from March to October 2021), dissemination and exploitation process took place mainly from reopening of markets on May 2021. We have attended Geofluid (Italy-September), Parts2clean (Germany-October) and Eima (Italy) and in Mecspe (Nov. 23 to 25) we will have a stand.
We have also organized special events in our facilities. In July we launched CleanCabinet for selected customers, we had almost 100 persons in two days and we had the opportunity to met many potential customers.
Our Advertising plan specially focused on Digital advertising with a Google ads campaign for Italian market and German market is still on going. Our distribution network is still growing up. In Germany we are starting to set agreements with German agents and with a company able to work on maintenance and post sales. We have also done some preliminary contacts and contracts with Brasil agents to promote the machine there.
Additionally we have done a Hard copy advs campaign, including release of dedicated advertising in a vertical newspaper, Oleodinamica & pneumatica.
These activities have given back the following results:
- 30 quotes in last 2 years
- Potential customers in our facilities to learn and see our Clean Cabinet prototype. Among them companies as important as Bosch Rexroth, Cleanfix, Vis Hydraulics, Ferrari Spa and Ford Spa.
- 2 potential international distribution agents: one in Germany and one in Brasil and 3 local agents in Italy

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

We have bought a new site and we have built a new production plant next to Oilsafe headquarters that allows us to extend the manufacturing site up to 5.300 sq. We have built the new company facility according to Industry 4.0 using the most modern green materials and manufacturing methods. The building of the plant has been financed with our proper resources as we are extremely involved and determined to get the target.
The plant has been organized to be ready to manufacture 10/15 CC for the first year (after the end of the project) while for succeeding years will be managed the production line.
In the first year of the project, we have hired eleven employees in almost all the departments of the company in order to strengthen the different areas especially in the sales and technical department. At the end of the project the total amount of new employees is 15, much more than the new hiring planned in the Grant Agreement. Additional resources will be recruited with the evolution of Clean Cabinet sales.
After few years from the end of the project, we believe that the social impact in terms of employment could be up to 100 people considering direct and indirect hiring.
We should also remember that the Clean Cabinet will have a remarkable impact in the environmental sustainability as clean components allows to low the energy consumption and to reduce the use of materials due to higher reliability and lifespan.

The contacts recently made at the fair in Germany (Parts2Clean) with potential customers confirmed the strong interest and sensitivity for cleaning components, particularly in the automotive and hydraulic sectors.

Furthermore, in the current year we have acquired new financial resources to dedicate to increasing the production capacity.

CLEAN CABINET LAYOUT

Booth at EIMA

Reveal of clean cabinet

booth in Parts2clean

Award in Samoter show preview2021

SaMoTer Innovation Award