A method of operating a part cleaning machine , the method comprising: removably attaching a part to a part holder ; selecting a first one of a plurality of tools for performing a desired cleaning operation; transferring the selected first one of the plurality of tools from a tool holder to a tool chuck ; positioning the selected first one of the plurality of tools in a pre-defined tool cleaning position by moving a chuck holder along at least one of a Y axis and a Z axis on a tool positioning plane; positioning the part in a pre-defined part cleaning position by at least one of moving a cradle along an X axis, rotating the cradle about a first cradle axis , or rotating the part holder about a second cradle axis ; and performing the desired cleaning operation on the part with the selected first one of the plurality of tools , with the part in the pre-defined part cleaning position and the selected first one of the plurality of tools in the pre-defined tool cleaning position wherein transferring the selected first one of the plurality of tools from the tool holder to the tool chuck includes: moving the chuck holder along at least one of the Y axis and the Z axis on the tool positioning plane into a pre-defined first tool transfer position; moving the tool holder along the X axis and toward the chuck holder until the tool chuck engages the selected first one of the plurality of tools , whereby the selected first one of the plurality of tools is automatically released from the tool holder ; actuating a locking mechanism on the tool chuck to secure the selected first one of the plurality of tools to the tool chuck ; and moving the tool holder along the X axis and away from the chuck holder . removably attaching a part to a part holder ; selecting a first one of a plurality of tools for performing a desired cleaning operation; transferring the selected first one of the plurality of tools from a tool holder to a tool chuck ; positioning the selected first one of the plurality of tools in a pre-defined tool cleaning position by moving a chuck holder along at least one of a Y axis and a Z axis on a tool positioning plane; positioning the part in a pre-defined part cleaning position by at least one of moving a cradle along an X axis, rotating the cradle about a first cradle axis , or rotating the part holder about a second cradle axis ; and performing the desired cleaning operation on the part with the selected first one of the plurality of tools , with the part in the pre-defined part cleaning position and the selected first one of the plurality of tools in the pre-defined tool cleaning position wherein transferring the selected first one of the plurality of tools from the tool holder to the tool chuck includes: moving the chuck holder along at least one of the Y axis and the Z axis on the tool positioning plane into a pre-defined first tool transfer position; moving the tool holder along the X axis and toward the chuck holder until the tool chuck engages the selected first one of the plurality of tools , whereby the selected first one of the plurality of tools is automatically released from the tool holder ; actuating a locking mechanism on the tool chuck to secure the selected first one of the plurality of tools to the tool chuck ; and moving the tool holder along the X axis and away from the chuck holder . moving the chuck holder along at least one of the Y axis and the Z axis on the tool positioning plane into a pre-defined first tool transfer position; moving the tool holder along the X axis and toward the chuck holder until the tool chuck engages the selected first one of the plurality of tools , whereby the selected first one of the plurality of tools is automatically released from the tool holder ; actuating a locking mechanism on the tool chuck to secure the selected first one of the plurality of tools to the tool chuck ; and moving the tool holder along the X axis and away from the chuck holder . <EOS>