How Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems Are Used to Clean Industrial Lenses

Ultrasonic cleaning systems can effectively clean glass lenses, however due to the special characteristics of lenses, selecting the correct ultrasonic frequency, power and bath is critical.

Industrial lenses that are made of pure glass are ideal candidates for ultrasonic cleaning. The ultrasonic generator produces high-frequency electronic signal, and the transducer immersed in the ultrasonic bath converts that signal to ultrasonic waves within the liquid.  The waves within the cleaning bath generate cavitation bubbles in the pressure troughs, and then they collapse in the pressure peaks. The action of the cavitation bubbles produces a powerful scrubbing and cleaning action against the hard surfaces of the lenses, dislodging contaminants from the surface.

While glass itself would not be affected by ultrasonic cleaning systems, it may have been treated with a special coating or surface treatments that can be damaged at certain frequencies, in heated baths or when used with added detergents.

Lower frequencies – Produce larger cavitation bubbles with a more robust cleaning action.

High frequencies – Produce smaller cavitation bubbles with a gentler cleaning action.

The power produced by the ultrasonic system affects the cleaning time. If the power is too low, too few bubbles are generated, and the cleaning process will take longer. The power level should be exactly enough so that it can produce the maximum amount of cavitation bubbles that will allow the quickest and most thorough cleaning action on industrial lenses.

Robust cleaning with the addition of detergents and/or heat will speed up the cleaning process on pure glass lens. However, if the lens has any coating, the same cleaning measures may damage the lens coating. Thus, the required frequency for cleaning coated glass lenses must be high enough to avoid damaging coatings that are softer than pure glass.

The complete article, “How Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems Are Used to Clean Industrial Lenses” goes into more detail. If you would like additional information, or have questions, please contact Kaijo through email at info@kaijo-shibuya.com or call (408) 675-5575.

How Long Will Ultrasonic Cleaning Take to Clean My Parts?

The amount of time required for an ultrasonic cleaning system to clean a part depends on the system, the material the part is made of and the nature of the contaminants. Typically, industrial ultrasonic cleaners can complete common cleaning tasks between ten and twenty minutes.

While cleaning time depends on the power of the system, the material the parts are made from and the degree of contamination also impact the cleaning time. For a light cleaning action, it may take just a few minutes. When cleaning parts that are covered with substantial deposits of hardened grease or carbon, cleaning will take much longer.

Frequency is also a factor that determines how quickly some industrial ultrasonic cleaners can take to clean. A high frequency (100 kHz and above) is ideal for cleaning delicate parts such as semiconductors, while a lower frequency (20 to 40 kHz) is ideal for cleaning more robust components like greasy machine parts. Cleaning parts under high frequency (which produces smaller cavitation bubbles and a gentler cleaning action) will take longer. On the other hand, a low frequency (which produces bigger cavitation bubbles and a more robust cleaning action) allows for quicker cleaning.

The power provided by a high-performance ultrasonic cleaner is another factor that affects the system's cleaning speed. A power that's too low generates fewer cavitation bubbles and thus, cleaning time will take longer. Providing the right level of power for the specific size bath will produce the most cavitation bubbles, leading to the fastest cleaning action.

You can learn more about the length of time required for ultrasonic cleaning parts by reading our complete article “How Long Will Ultrasonic Cleaning Take to Clean My Parts.” If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Kaijo at (408) 675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com.