How to Buy the Right Ultrasonic Cleaner for Your Application – Part I

Industrial ultrasonic cleaners can effectively clean parts rapidly and completely if they are correctly configured for the specific cleaning application.

An ultrasonic cleaning system typically consists of a signal generator, a transducer, and a cleaning tank. Each component of an ultrasonic cleaning system should be carefully selected, and they must work together so that the entire system can clean parts and tools effectively.

Cleaning application – Ultrasonic cleaners usually remove light contamination like dust, films, and residues quickly and effectively. For cleaning parts that have heavy contamination (such as grease), the application of heat or mild solvents may be added.

Size and power – Effective cleaning also depends on the size of the parts to be cleaned, as well as the power selection. For bigger parts or parts that have unusual shapes, a custom-made tank may be appropriate. Naturally, bigger tanks will require more power than tanks of a standard size. However, too much power can cause pitting on the surfaces of the parts being cleaned, that's why selecting the right amount of power is as important as selecting the right tank size. The bottom line is that the ultrasonic waves need to be evenly distributed in the cleaning tank so that it can clean parts thoroughly and effectively.

Since industrial ultrasonic cleaning is carried out by the high-frequency sound waves in the cleaning solution, the cleaning tank (and the parts inside it) may vibrate slightly as cleaning takes place. This means that the parts should be suspended in the cleaning solution to avoid contact with the walls and the bottom of the cleaning tank, as even slight vibrations can cause damage.

Do you have questions? For more details read the complete article, “How to Buy the Right Ultrasonic Cleaner for Your Application – Part I”. You may also call Kaijo at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com if you have questions or would like to discuss your industrial cleaning needs.

Selecting an Ultrasonic Transducer for Your Cleaning Application

An ultrasonic cleaning system consists of a generator, an ultrasonic transducer, and a cleaning tank.

The role of the ultrasonic cleaning transducer is to transform an electrical high-frequency signal from the generator into ultrasonic sound waves in the cleaning solution contained in the tank.

Kaijo's ultrasonic cleaning transducers are made up of an electrical section that receives the electrical high-frequency signal from the generator and a mechanical section that vibrates at a high frequency. Once received, the electric signal is applied across piezoelectric crystals which change the signal into vibrations.

When the transducer is immersed in the liquid or cleaning solution, these vibrations result in corresponding ultrasonic waves in the solution. These ultrasonic waves travel through the liquid as compression peaks and troughs. Cavitation bubbles form in the troughs because of the low pressure, and they collapse again in high-pressure peaks. As bubbles collapse, they release an extremely powerful jet of cleaning solution that dislodges dirt, grime, and other forms of contaminants from the surface of the parts that are being cleaned in the solution.

These bubbles create a fast and effective cleaning action without damaging the underlying surface; they can clean even in the most inaccessible areas of the parts being cleaned. The result is rapid, efficient and thorough cleaning.

Types of ultrasonic cleaning transducers:

• Immersible transducer – A more flexible type of transducer, it can be placed in any tank in the cleaning solution. It can be positioned horizontally or vertically, as long as it is completely submerged in the liquid.
• Bolt-on or mounted transducer – It is permanently installed onto the walls or bottom of the cleaning tank.

For more details read the complete article titled “Selecting an Ultrasonic Transducer for Your Cleaning Application”. If you have questions about Kaijo’s ultrasonic transducers or would like to discuss the specific cleaning requirements for your application call 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

How Ultrasonic Generators Work to Provide Optimum Cleaning Results

The role of an ultrasonic generator is essential since it generates the high-frequency electric signal that is required for an ultrasonic cleaning system to operate efficiently. These devices will produce frequencies that range between 20 kHz up to 1 MHz. Ultrasonic generators also ensure that the selected power and frequency are properly controlled and maintained.

Ultrasonic cleaning systems work by creating high-frequency sound waves within a cleaning solution to remove surface contaminants and dirt from various parts and devices. The parts and components being cleaned are immersed within a cleaning tank. When the right frequency is selected, the ultrasonic cleaning system will clean the parts and components quickly and effectively – even for items that have holes, irregular shapes, curves and crevices.

The cleaning performance of the ultrasonic cleaning system depends on the action of the cavitation bubbles created by the high-frequency sound waves within the cleaning solution. These bubbles are formed in the wave pressure troughs and disappear in the pressure peaks – this action creates a powerful and intense scrubbing and cleaning action, dislodging contaminants from the surface of the immersed parts.

An Ultrasonic generator needs to fit the production environment and also match cleaning application requirements. Once the specific cleaning application requirements are defined, selecting the right ultrasonic generator which produces the appropriate frequency, as well as the corresponding transducers and cleaning tank is clear. If an ultrasonic cleaner is used the same way, to clean one kind of part made of the same material with the same contaminants, a single-frequency generator is usually the most cost effective option. The power of the ultrasonic generator must also be high enough to fill the cleaning tank with ultrasonic waves and the design must ensure that the wave pattern is uniform for effective cleaning.

For further details read the complete article titled “How Ultrasonic Generators Work to Provide Cleaning Results”. Call Kaijo at 408 675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com for a free quote or consultation on selecting the right ultrasonic generator and system for your cleaning application.