The Cleaning sector is experiencing a phase of numerous technological innovations. They respond to user needs in terms of performance, safety, and sustainability. Cleaning machines are becoming increasingly advanced, thanks also to key components such as motors and accessories. Some examples of innovative solutions for the Cleaning market were presented during a workshop organized at the ISSA Pulire trade fair in collaboration with Ha Factory. The event was moderated by Marco Villani (Professor at the University of L’Aquila – Electric Motor Division, and Technical Director of Ha Factory and Electric Motor Engineering magazines) and saw the participation of the companies Menikini-General Vapeur, Spival, and IMA Automation.
The sustainable alternative to polluting chemical products
For 50 years, Menikini–General Vapeur has been providing the Cleaning industry with solutions that harness the cleaning power of steam to treat a variety of surfaces. At the heart of the company’s technologies is dry steam for cleaning and sanitizing. It is a sustainable alternative to polluting chemical products.
“Dry saturated steam – explains Maurizio Gorato, International Sales Manager of Menikini-General Vapeur – is produced under specific conditions of temperature (160-180 °C) and pressure (7-10 Bar) to ensure maximum energy transfer without residual water. With less than 5% moisture content, it sanitizes deeply without wetting surfaces. This allows for safe and effective cleaning of delicate materials, complex machinery, and sensitive environments. It’s a thermally efficient process that kills bacteria, viruses, and molds through heat shock, minimizing reliance on chemical agents”.
Gorato also explains when chemicals are still needed. “It’s important to clarify: dry steam does not completely eliminate the need for chemical products. For specific residues like adhesives in the packaging area, heavy greases from meat processing or fish production, or limescale, targeted detergents like degreases and specific acids may still be necessary. The best approach is an integrated one: steam as the base, chemicals only when required”.
Among the application sectors of this technology, there is Ho.Re.Ca. In particular, for its steam cleaners the company obtained the certification BDT-Bactericidal Disinfecting Tool (UNI EN 13697:2015+A1:2019). Other application sectors are food industry, mechanical industry and healthcare.
Innovation in brushes and accessories
Spival is an Italian manufacturer that has continued to evolve throughout its long history. “Our company is over 70 years old – Paolo Spinelli, CSO of Spival, says – but it is still growing. We manufacture more than 1,000 cleaning products from our catalogue and on customer request”. Today, 70% of turnover is divided between the Vacuum Cleaning and Cleaning Brushes segments, while a further 20% relates to Steam Cleaning products.
“We create products from R&D to manufacturing – Spinelli adds –, always developing and improving new accessories. This year also thanks to our cooperation with Plastiflex Hose System Solutions”. Spival employs 50 people on 7,000 sqm covered area for production and 3,000 sqm for warehouse. The company’s strengths lie in its research & development department, its workshop, and a complete production chain. Besides, the company is DNV certified (ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001) for its quality management.
Another significant result is the plastic recycling department. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainability and circular economy. During his speech, Spinelli showed a concrete example: a part realized with post consumer granules for commercial or household cleaning. “Not so nice to see – he commented – but completely functional. Plus… less expensive. We have to think about our planet”.
Cleaning performances start from the inside
The electric motor is a strategic component for cleaning performance. During the workshop, Paolo Bovo, E-Motors Sales Director at IMA Automation–Atop, illustrated the know-how and technologies offered by the Group.
IMA Automation is the segment of IMA Group composed of companies operating in the automation and assembly industry, with over 60 years of experience. “We obtained more than 600 patents – Bovo explains – and we invest 3.5% of revenue in research and innovation”.
Atop is part of IMA Automation. Its plant is located in Central Italy and is characterized by 16,000 sqm production premises, 2,000 sqm offices and more than 250 employees. Bovo highlighted the results achieved by the company: more than 620 complete automatic lines delivered and more than 2,700 winding machines for stators and rotors delivered. In addition to these achievements, there are over 490 patents granted.
The corporate growth has been matched by a corresponding evolution in the technologies offered to the Cleaning industry. The company has been serving the main players in the sector since the 1980s. And over 40 million/year electric motors are produced with IMA Automation’s equipment.
Bovo presented examples of the company’s know-how in four main technological areas: needle winding technology, horizontal needle winding technologies, flyer winding technologies, winding and inserting technology.
As Paolo Bovo explained, IMA strengths in e-motor assembly technologies can be summarized as follows: high speed flyer winding for rotors, high speed vertical needle winding for stators, high speed vertical-horizontal winding for stators, high speed coil winding and inserting for stators, welding DC, commutator turning (diamond), electrical testing, stator and rotor assembly.
