When Are High Frequency Ultrasonic Cleaners Needed?

High frequency ultrasonic cleaners are needed when the parts to be cleaned are delicate and easily damaged.

How ultrasonic cleaners clean parts?
Ultrasonic cleaning systems use the scrubbing action of microscopic cavitation bubbles to clean dirt and contaminants from the surface of the parts being cleaned.

The ultrasonic frequency generator produces an electrical signal that the ultrasonic transducer converts to sound waves in the cleaning solution. Cavitation bubbles form in the troughs of the sound waves and collapse in the peaks. When they collapse, the bubbles create many tiny high-energy jets of cleaning solution. If the bubbles are near the surface of the parts being cleaned, the jets hit part the surface and dislodge any contaminants that are present there.

How can cavitation bubbles damage parts?

Selecting the right frequency is one of the keys to achieve the optimal cleaning performance.

Low frequency systems generate larger bubbles that deliver robust cleaning. These bubbles are so powerful that they can effectively remove heavy contaminants, but they can also cause damage to parts made of delicate materials.

High-energy jets produced from low frequency systems can also cause damage to parts with complicated structures such as printed circuit boards. They can also strip away protective coating of plating parts of some materials such as coated lenses, hard disk media or flat panel glass.

High-frequency jets are the key

High-frequency ultrasonic cleaners (over 100 kHz) generate smaller bubbles that deliver gentle cleaning. These bubbles form weaker jets. These jets don't clean as fast as the jets of the lower frequency systems, but they are also too weak to cause damage to delicate parts.

High-frequency bubbles are ideal for cleaning delicate parts and components. They are gentle enough not to cause pitting to soft parts or strip away the coatings, but they have adequate power to remove contaminants that negatively impact the coated parts. The gentle cleaning action of the high-frequency bubbles will maintain the integrity of delicate parts being cleaned.

If you would like additional information, please read the complete article “When Are High Frequency Ultrasonic Cleaners Needed?” Contact Kaijo Shibuya at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com to set up a free consultation to discuss your specific cleaning requirements.

How Ultrasonic Part Cleaners Keep Employees Safe

Ultrasonic cleaning allows workers place the parts in a water-based solution and leave them there for a short period until they are clean. This is in sharp contrast to traditional cleaning methods that require extensive handling of parts, soaking them in harsh chemicals and scrubbing them.

Ultrasonic part cleaners keep the workers safe in many ways:

1) Less handling of parts reduces accidents
Traditional cleaning of parts is labor-intensive. Some parts have complex shapes that may require manual scrubbing. The handling of heavy parts and parts with sharp edges and corners can result in strain, cuts and bruises. Ultrasonic part cleaners minimize handling of parts, thus reducing the risk of accidents and injury.

2) Less use of sharp cleaning tools
Manual cleaning and brushing of contaminated parts consists of using wire brushes and scrapers which can penetrate or cut through protective gloves, thus injuring employees. Ultrasonic part cleaners can clean parts without the use of sharp cleaning tools.

3) Minimized use of harsh chemicals
Traditional cleaning also consists of using harsh chemicals. But storage, handling, use during cleaning of the parts and disposal of these toxic chemicals can present safety hazards to both humans and the environment. Ultrasonic cleaning requires no special solvents beyond mild detergents in a water solution for heavy contamination with grease or oily deposits. Moreover, these detergents are not hazardous and require no special disposal after use.

Ultrasonic parts cleaners are the ideal alternatives to traditional cleaning of parts that require manual scrubbing or using toxic cleaning chemicals. Moreover, they clean the parts quickly, thoroughly and effectively while keeping the workers and the work environment safe.  Employees simply place the parts to be cleaned in ultrasonic cleaning tanks turn on the system to run for a specified time.

For more details read the completed article titled “How Ultrasonic Part Cleaners Keep Employees Safe”. If you want a free consultation or quote, please contact Kaijo at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com.