Using Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaners to Clean Disk Drives

Disk drives and components that include aluminium disk platter blanks and metal read/write heads are usually manufactured in standard industrial facilities. The processes used in their fabrication includes machining, stamping, punching, polishing, and molding using industrial chemicals for cooling, lubrication and as abrasives.

Before they are sent to special facilities for assembly, the hard drive components arriving from the industrial manufacturer must be cleaned thoroughly. Traces of industrial chemicals, contaminants added during shipment and particles adhering to platter surfaces must be removed completely. The components of hard disk drives must be especially clean, since the heads float very close over the platter surface and excessive contamination will not allow them to gather and store data.

High performance industrial ultrasonic cleaners can perform these types of cleaning tasks quickly and effectively. An industrial ultrasonic cleaning system produces microscopic cavitation bubbles in the solution of a cleaning tank. The bubbles form and collapse in time with the ultrasonic frequency. When a bubble collapses by the surface of a hard disk component, it produces a scrubbing action that removes dirt and contaminants. The bubbles form wherever the cleaning solution can penetrate, even around crevices, tinier holes and irregular shapes of disk read/write head.

To achieve optimum cleanliness, hard disk drive manufacturers usually use several frequencies to clean various components to remove specific contaminants. Deionized water is the preferred cleaning solution since cleaning agents leave traces that then have to be removed as well. For components that have surface lubricants, a mild detergent and/or heating the cleaning solution may make complete removal easier.

Kaijo offers free consulting to help customers choose the right industrial ultrasonic cleaners that will meet their requirements. Read the complete article “Using Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaners to Clean Disk Drives” to learn more. If you would like a free consultation or have questions, contact Kaijo at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaiijo-shibuya.com.

Why Are Higher Ultrasonic Cleaning Frequencies Required?

Choosing the right high frequency ultrasonic cleaner is the key to successfully cleaning parts that have a delicate physical structure. However, if the ultrasonic cleaning system frequency is set too high, cleaning could take longer and become less effective. If the frequency is set too low, it could damage the more delicate parts. Ultrasonic cleaning systems are extremely versatile and effective in most cleaning applications, but only if the operating frequency matches the tasks to be performed.

Ultrasonic cleaning systems generate a high-frequency electric signal that is converted into sound waves by an ultrasonic transducer. The transducer is submerged in the cleaning tank filled with water and generates sound waves in the liquid. Microscopic cavitation bubbles appear wherever the cleaning solution can penetrate. They form in the low-pressure troughs and collapse in high-pressure peaks.

This collapse of the bubbles is responsible for the cleaning action of an ultrasonic cleaning system. The bubbles can clean inside hollow tubes, in the thread of bolt holes, inside dead-end holes, and in cracks.

Low frequency — have longer cycle times and the wave troughs are wider resulting in bigger bubbles. Typical candidates for low-frequency cleaning include automotive parts such as cylinder valves and carburetors.

High frequency — have smaller bubbles because there is less time for them to grow in the comparatively narrow troughs. Using a high frequency ultrasonic cleaner is required for cleaning delicate parts such as medical instruments, semiconductor components, and computer parts. The selection of the ultrasonic frequency has to balance between the need for reduced cleaning power due to the fragility of the parts and the type of contamination that is being removed.

Kaijo has a full product line of industrial ultrasonic cleaning equipment and has extensive experience in the field of ultrasonic cleaning. For more information read the complete article “Why Are Higher Ultrasonic Cleaning Frequencies Required?”. If you have questions or would like to set up a free consultation to discuss your industrial cleaning requirements, contact Kaijo Shibuya at 408–675–5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com.