Industrial part cleaning is crucial to ensuring quality and productivity across various industries. WashTech, based in Querétaro, Mexico, leads the way in advanced industrial cleaning solutions, standing out with its innovation in one-piece flow washing systems.
In this article, we will explain the differences between these two technologies, highlighting how each meets specific needs. If you’re looking to optimize your industrial processes, keep reading to find the ideal solution for your business.
Wash Tunnels: Basic Systems for Simple Industrial Processes
In sectors with high productivity demands, such as automotive, wash tunnels have historically been the go-to solution, enabling the cleaning of large volumes of parts.
Surface Alliance previously produced these solutions, which served the industry’s requirements for decades. However, they are now becoming obsolete for several reasons:
- Insufficient cleaning quality: Modern automotive applications often require advanced cleaning standards that wash tunnels cannot meet, especially for complex parts.
- Space requirements: The dirtier or more complex the cleaning needs, the larger the tunnel.
- Water loss due to evaporation, leading to:
- High water, energy, and detergent consumption.
- High operational costs.
- Increased emissions of humidity, heat, and chemicals into the plant.
- Complex machinery: Multiple motors, chains, blowers, and wear-prone components lead to high maintenance needs.
- Partial drying of parts.
- Contamination buildup: Residue accumulates on tunnel walls, compromising long-term cleaning quality.

These features are rendering wash tunnels an outdated solution.
MecanoFast: Compact, High-Precision Solution for Critical Processes
The MecanoFast is a compact system specifically designed to meet industrial cleaning demands in environments requiring high precision and space optimization. Ideal for critical parts in sectors like automotive, this equipment combines efficiency, speed, and compliance with the most demanding regulations.
Key Features:
- Ultra-fast cleaning cycle: Completes cleaning and perfect drying processes in 30 seconds, making it ideal for operations requiring high productivity without compromising quality.
- Resource optimization: Significantly reduces water, energy, and detergent consumption, aligning with industrial sustainability standards.
- Self-cleaning work chamber: Ensures consistent quality.
- Compact, integrable design: Occupying just 2 m², it’s perfect for factories with limited space and integrates seamlessly into robotic cells or automated lines.
- International compliance: Delivers certified cleaning in accordance with standards such as VDA 19 and ISO 16232, critical for components requiring strict particulate contamination tolerances.
The MecanoFast not only meets technical cleaning needs for sensitive parts but also offers detailed process control, ensuring the quality and reliability demanded by sectors such as turbine manufacturing, transmission components, and engines.

Comparison Between Wash Tunnels and MecanoFast
Feature | Wash Tunnels | MecanoFast |
---|---|---|
Capacity | High-volume production. | High-volume production. |
Space required | Significant infrastructure. | Compact design (2 m²). |
Cleaning speed | Continuous processes. | One-piece flow in 30 seconds. |
Resource consumption | High energy, water, and detergent use. | Low resource consumption. |
Applications | High-volume, low-cleanliness requirements. | Precise cleaning for high volumes. |
Competitive Advantages for Your Business
Production volume: Today, the main advantage of wash tunnels lies in high-volume applications with low cleaning standards. In many cases, twin MecanoFast systems can offer comparable capacities at a lower acquisition and operational cost.
Space efficiency: MecanoFast adapts to small areas, while tunnels require significant infrastructure.
Cost-efficiency: MecanoFast reduces operational costs through energy efficiency and simpler maintenance.