Why You Need an Ultrasonic Cleaning System for 3D Printed Parts

Thanks to the advances in 3D printing this new technology has become widely accessible with broad manufacturing capabilities. The 3D printers work by depositing tiny drops of material (usually a type of resin or plastic in liquid form) in thin layers according to the digital design. 3D printers can create objects with complex shapes and sizes that are samples or prototypes and they can also be used to make test pieces before starting actual production.

3D printing often involves creating several complex items using different material and there may be overhangs, gaps or complicated structures. To make sure that the printed parts won't collapse and or won't stick together, the 3D printer deposits supporting and separating material underneath. When the printing of the item is finished, these extra supporting materials must be removed from the printed item before use. 

An ultrasonic cleaning system is an ideal alternative to the traditional methods of cleaning 3D printed parts. It works by using ultrasonic waves to produce cavitation bubbles in a cleaning liquid. The bubbles form and collapse in time with the frequency of sound waves, and this particular action of the bubbles scrubs and cleans even the most inaccessible parts of a 3D-printed item being cleaned. It leaves the item completely clean and free of residues and unwanted extra material. An ultrasonic cleaning system proves to be quicker and more efficient in removing the extra parts from the 3D-printed material compared to the traditional cleaning methods like scrubbing and using solvents.

Kaijo's ultrasonic cleaning systems can clean 3D printed parts and remove unwanted filler material quickly and more effectively. The Phenix III turnkey system requires a minimum of installation and set up work and is ideal to clean the most typical 3D printed items. For cleaning bigger printed items, Kaijo's ultrasonic generators, transducers, and tanks can be used to set up special solutions depending on the client's specific cleaning requirements.

For more detailed information read the articled titled “Why You Need an Ultrasonic Cleaning System for 3D Printed Parts”. If you have questions or would like a free consultation to help you choose an ultrasonic cleaning system, email Kaijo Shibuya at info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

How Ultrasonic Cleaners Utilize Cavitation

How do industrial ultrasonic cleaners work? They use cavitation in cleaning liquids to remove impurities from the surface of a wide variety of devices and parts that are being cleaned. The action of sound waves produces cavitation bubbles in the cleaning solution. As the sound waves travel through the cleaning liquid, the bubbles emerge under low pressure and collapse in the high-pressure peaks. The very action of these bubbles becomes the scrubbing action which lifts off the impurities from the surface of the items being cleaned while it's immersed in the water (or other mild cleaning solvents) of the cleaning tank.

Ultrasonic cleaning systems have proven to clean tools and parts more quickly, effectively and more thoroughly than traditional cleaning methods like intense scrubbing or use of harsh chemical solvents.

Manufacturing plants that have cleaning requirements for their equipment will definitely benefit from using an ultrasonic cleaning system as it is also economical and environment-friendly.

The action of the cavitation bubbles can be adjusted to various frequencies depending on the cleaning application requirements. Low frequencies (26 kHz-38 kHz the most) will result in large cavitation bubbles that are ideal for robust scrubbing and cleaning but are not suitable for cleaning more delicate parts. Higher frequencies (up to 1 MHz) produce smaller cavitation bubbles that are ideal for gently cleaning more delicate parts like semiconductor devices.

Kaijo offers a complete line of industrial ultrasonic cleaners and equipment. Customers can buy the Phenix III which includes an ultrasonic generator and a tank with the transducers already mounted; or they can purchase the Quava and Phenix Series ultrasonic generators, the tank and the transducers separately. Kaijo can also customize the set-up to meet specific client cleaning requirements, and help select the system that best meets their needs.

Read our complete article “How Ultrasonic Cleaners Utilize Cavitation” to learn about our ultrasonic cleaners. If you want a free quote or consultation, email info@kaijo-shibuya.com or call Kaijo Shibuya at 408-675-5575.

Ultrasonic Cleaners for Pharmaceutical Equipment

Pharmaceutical manufacturers use machines such as pill punches and filling machine valves which, over time, can become contaminated with mold or bacteria. This makes them quite a challenge to clean.

Cleaning this equipment with toxic chemicals and by shaking or agitation may not thoroughly clean them or worse, may bring more contamination issues.

Industrial ultrasonic cleaners are a more effective, more economical, and environment-friendly alternative to these traditional cleaning methods. They effectively clean the contaminants of the pharmaceutical equipment more quickly and thoroughly. They don't use scrubbing or shaking, or require the use of harsh cleaning chemicals.

Instead, the equipment to be cleaned is placed in an ultrasonic bath which consists of a tank containing only water or a mild cleaning solution. In the liquid bath, the ultrasonic transducer is converting an electrical signal of maybe 40 kHz into ultrasonic waves that permeate through the liquid. The frequency levels depend on the cleaning applications; higher frequencies are used for cleaning delicate parts while lower frequencies are used for more robust cleaning of rugged parts.

As the ultrasonic waves travel through the liquid, they produce microscopic cavitation bubbles which will form and collapse -- this particular action of the bubbles does the scrubbing and lifting of impurities from the equipment being cleaned. These cavitation bubbles can also go into crevices and apertures of the equipment to remove any material down to the original machined or manufactured surface. Depending on the frequency and power of the ultrasonic cleaning system, cleaning may take as little as ten minutes even for challenging applications.  

Kaijo’s industrial ultrasonic cleaners can clean pharmaceutical equipment quickly and thoroughly, with a low cost of ownership. Managers and decision managers at pharmaceutical firms may choose turnkey solutions such as Kaijo’s Phenix III system or individual components like the Quava ultrasonic generator, or ultrasonic cleaning transducers and cleaning tanks. The generators and transducers can be purchased separately if customers want to use existing tanks in their manufacturing facility. Customers can buy the standard equipment or equipment configured to match their specific requirements.

For more details read the complete article titled “Ultrasonic Cleaners for Pharmaceutical Equipment”. For a free quote or consultation to discuss your specific requirements contact Kaijo Shibuya via email at info@kaijo-shibuya.com or call 408-675-5575.