Using Ultrasonic Cleaning for Medical Device Components

When components for medical devices are not cleaned properly at every stage of the manufacturing process, they may introduce contaminants into the medical environment. Ultrasonic cleaning of these components ensures that they are free from harmful particles and dangerous substances when they are incorporated into the medical device.

Traditional cleaning methods such as manual scrubbing and prolonged soaking in harsh chemicals may miss contaminants in hard-to-reach areas. Besides, these aggressive, toxic chemicals may leave harmful traces on the component.

Medical ultrasonic cleaners can clean medical device components entirely and rapidly, leaving no traces on the device. Ultrasonic cleaners generate microscopic bubbles in the cleaning solution. As the bubbles form and collapse in tune with the ultrasonic frequency, they create a powerful scrubbing action that dislodges contaminating particles and removes unwanted film and residues from the surfaces of the parts to be cleaned.

The medical device components are soaked in the cleaning solution either by placing them directly into the ultrasonic cleaning tanks or placing them in the basket, which is then submerged. Wherever there is a cleaning solution, the bubbles form and remove impurities from the surface of these components. The cleaning solution penetrates everywhere, into holes, along intricate and complex shapes and inside crevices.

The ultrasonic cleaner uses only plain water with a bath at room temperature. Still, cleaning can be sped up by adding mild detergent or heating the cleaning solution to remove more stubborn dirt (such as oil and grease contamination). Ultrasonic cleaning does not need harsh cleaning chemicals or manual scrubbing, making it environmentally friendly while improving the overall cleaning performance.

Ultrasonic cleaning also doesn't need monitoring or supervision, making the cleaning process completely safe. Operators place the components into the tank filled with the cleaning solution, set a timer, and then come back later to remove the clean components.

The complete article, Using Ultrasonic Cleaning for Medical Device Components, explains more about Kaijo Shibuya’s experience and expertise in providing medical ultrasonic cleaners. If you have questions, or would like to set up a free consultation, email info@kaijo-shibuya.com or call 408-675-5575.

How Ultrasonic Cleaners Effectively Clean Plastic Molds

Ultrasonic cleaning offers a solution that combines superior cleaning with fast-cleaning action for many items, including plastic molds. Traditional cleaning methods, such as manual scrubbing and using chemicals with prolonged soaking, are time-consuming and labor-intensive. Even so, they often miss contaminants in hard-to-reach places. Ultrasonic cleaners remove contaminants everywhere the cleaning solution can penetrate and does not require the use of chemicals.

Ultrasonic cleaning system generates microscopic cavitation bubbles in a tank that contains the cleaning solution and the parts to be cleaned – in this case, plastic molds. The bubbles form and collapse in tune with the ultrasonic frequency, dislodging dirt and contaminants from the surfaces to be cleaned. The cavitation bubbles clean wherever the cleaning solution is present, even in tiny mold structures such as ejector pin holes, cooling channels, and vent paths. The bubbles clean quickly but thoroughly, without requiring any monitoring or supervision. All the operators can do is to set the timer and then return to remove the cleaned molds.

In Ultrasonic cleaning, cavitation bubbles do the cleaning so no cleaning chemicals are required. This provides substantial savings by eliminating the costs for acquiring, storage, handling, and disposing of the harsh chemicals. The ultrasonic cleaning system leaves no waste that is otherwise harmful to the environment, and workplace safety is significantly increased. Adding a mild detergent or heating the cleaning solution is only needed when the parts have hard-to-remove oily or greasy deposits, to speed up the cleaning process. The ultrasonic cleaning system is an environmentally friendly method that improves production line performance.

When the ultrasonic cleaning system is appropriately configured for the application, cleaning occurs quickly without leaving any residue. Choosing the right frequency ensures that the ultrasonic cleaning system cleans as expected. Low frequencies create comparatively large bubbles and deliver a more powerful cleaning action suitable for cleaning robust material but can cause pitting of the mold surface or damage intricate structures. On the other hand, high frequencies create smaller bubbles and deliver a gentler cleaning performance. If the frequency is too high however, the cleaning time may be increased, and overall cleaning performance may suffer.

Choosing the adequate power level for the cleaning application is also vital to deliver optimal cleaning. Depending on the tank's size, several built-in or immersible ultrasonic transducers may be required. The ultrasonic cleaner’s generator must have enough power to fill the cleaning tank with ultrasonic waves.

Discover more by reading the complete article, How Ultrasonic Cleaners Effectively Clean Plastic Molds. For more information, or to schedule a free consultation, call 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

How Ultrasonic Cleaning Benefits Medical Industry Operations

The cleaning of reusable instruments, medical devices, and implants during medical industry operations is critical but is often difficult. Manual pre-cleaning, steam cleaning, and heat-sterilization are time-consuming and may damage delicate and temperature-sensitive instruments. Many of these instruments have complex shapes, which make them hard to access for manual cleaning.

Despite the difficulties, organic matter from previous patients and other medical facility contamination needs to be removed entirely to prevent infecting new patients.

The use of medical ultrasonic cleaners provides an ideal solution to many of these problems. This method uses an ultrasonic cleaner, which works by producing microscopic cavitation bubbles in the cleaning solution. The bubbles form and collapse in tune with the high-frequency sound waves passing through the liquid. When the bubbles collapse, they create a powerful scrubbing action against the parts' surfaces to be cleaned. Surface contaminants are dislodged and swept away.

In ultrasonic cleaning, the two critical factors for effective and successful cleaning of medical parts are the chosen frequency and power. Lower frequencies produce larger bubbles that provide a more intense cleaning of hard and robust parts. Higher frequencies generate comparatively smaller bubbles and gentler cleaning action of more fragile and delicate parts. Choosing the right frequency ensures that the parts are cleaned quickly and thoroughly without damaging the parts to be cleaned (especially the fragile and delicate medical parts and tools).

The power of the ultrasonic cleaning system must be enough to fill the tank with ultrasonic waves. These waves create bubbles throughout the liquid, even on interior surfaces, inside holes, or along cracks. While ultrasonic cleaning only dislodges physical surface contamination and does not kill pathogens, the systems can be used to sterilize parts by adding an appropriate amount of disinfectant to the ultrasonic bath.

The medical ultrasonic cleaner effectively cleans medical parts, tools, and implants provides improved cleaning performance, reduced cleaning times, and consistent results. These things lead to less time spent on cleaning tanks, better use of medical personnel who receive cleaner instruments, and improved patient outcomes.

Learn more about this topic by reading the complete article, “How Ultrasonic Cleaning Benefits Medical Industry Operations.” You may set up a free consultation to discuss your needs by contacting Kaijo at 408-675-5575 or email at info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

How Custom Designed Ultrasonic Cleaners Meet Automotive Industry Needs

 

The automotive industry has varied cleaning requirements for automotive parts and re-built components. Cleaning applications range from rugged engine parts to more fragile parts with special coatings or finishings.

Automotive ultrasonic cleaners can be custom designed to handle special cleaning applications, and customized systems often deliver optimum cleaning results.

Businesses use customized automotive ultrasonic cleaners that are designed with basic parameters that ideally match the cleaning application. For instance, low frequencies (such as 26 kHz and 38 kHz) clean robust, heavily contaminated parts. In comparison, higher frequencies (such as 78 kHz) are best for cleaning more delicate components such as aluminum parts.

Another important consideration is the cleaning tank, which hold the cleaning solution and the parts being cleaned. Standard tanks are gloss polished 12-gauge stainless steel, but other materials can be used when the specific cleaning applications require it. Tanks can be ambient temperature or heated, and they can include circulating pumps and filtration. Heating in the cleaning solution can soften more challenging and more stubborn dirt (such as caked grease), thus speeding up the cleaning process. Filtration can remove dirt as it is loosened from the automotive parts.

Transducers convert the electrical signal from the ultrasonic generator into sound waves that travel through the cleaning solution. Transducers can be permanently installed, bolt-on, or immersible, as needed by cleaning application.

Some automotive production lines require cleaning for a specific part, while others may have large volumes of several parts to be cleaned regularly. The level of contamination may be predictable or may vary, depending on the job. These factors influence how the parts should be cleaned, and therefore they may require extensive customization.

Other possible factors for customization of automotive ultrasonic cleaners include physical characteristics and special processing options. For example, the physical arrangement can be adapted to existing available space, and components (such as transducers) can be customized to be placed in existing tanks.

For more details read the complete article, “How Custom Designed Ultrasonic Cleaners Meet Automotive Industry Needs.” If you have questions, or would like to set up a free consultation, contact Kaijo by calling 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

How Ultrasonic Cleaners Safely and Effectively Clean Without Chemicals

Traditional cleaning of industrial parts, mechanical components, and electronics has typically involved manual scrubbing, pressure washing, and soaking in aggressive chemicals. These cleaning methods can damage the surfaces of the parts being cleaned and they do not guarantee thorough cleaning.

Ultrasonic cleaners work without the use of harsh chemicals and clean parts quickly and completely. Eliminating chemicals and reducing the use of water saves money and also provides a safer work place. The effective use of industrial ultrasonic cleaners requires selecting the right frequency and power which an ultrasonic cleaner manufacturer can provide based on the specific cleaning application.

Ultrasonic cleaners work by generating millions of microscopic bubbles in the cleaning solution. An ultrasonic generator produces a high-frequency electric signal for an ultrasonic transducer. The transducer is immersed in the cleaning bath and vibrates in tune with the electric signal. The transducer vibrations produce ultrasonic sound waves throughout the cleaning action.

Ultrasonic sound waves have high-pressure peaks and low-pressure troughs. The microscopic cavitation bubbles form in the low-pressure troughs and collapse in the high-pressure peaks. When the bubbles collapse, they emit a tiny high-pressure jet that hits the parts' surface to be cleaned and dislodges dirt and contaminants. These jets deliver a powerful mechanical cleaning action that works faster and better than traditional manual scrubbing or cleaning with chemicals.

Ultrasonic cleaners also clean the parts more thoroughly compared to traditional cleaning methods. They can also be fine-tuned for the specific cleaning application. The selection of the right frequency is critical to produce the best cleaning results. Low frequencies (20 to 30 kHz) produce comparatively large cavitation bubbles that make tiny, powerful jets. These frequencies are best suited for parts with hard surfaces. As the frequencies increase, the cavitation bubbles become smaller, and the cleaning action becomes less intense. Higher frequencies of several hundred kHz are suitable for cleaning delicate and fragile parts.

Once the right frequency is chosen, the ultrasonic sound waves penetrate everywhere throughout the cleaning solution. The jets from the collapsing bubbles clean inside holes, along with cracks and over rough surfaces, which traditional cleaning methods cannot do. Dirt and contaminants are removed completely, resulting in parts that are thoroughly cleaned.

With extensive experience with industrial ultrasonic cleaning equipment, Kaijo has the expertise to carry out the design and manufacturing in-house.

For more details, read the complete article “How Ultrasonic Cleaners Safely and Effectively Clean without Chemicals.” If you have questions or would like to set up a free consultation to discuss your particular needs, contact Kaijo at 408-675-557 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

How Ultrasonic Cleaners Are Used to Provide Effective Infection Control

Invasive surgical techniques are being used more frequently, and the tools and instruments used in these procedures can't be easily cleaned or sterilized with high temperatures. Many of these tools and instruments are hard to clean and many are temperature sensitive. They also have complex shapes and features that can harbor contamination and pathogens.

Manual ultrasonic cleaners are used to clean these kinds of tools and instruments. Ultrasonic cleaning performance is excellent but does not, by itself, guarantee that an instrument or tool is sterile. However when the appropriate amount of disinfectant is added to the cleaning solution, the action of the ultrasonic cleaning forces the liquid into crevices and holes where it can kill microbes on contact. The sound waves clean the surfaces of tools and instruments and the dislodged matter is removed, leaving the disinfected parts. Together with a disinfecting cleaning solution, an ultrasonic cleaner is a better alternative to steam sterilization.

Ultrasonic cleaners work by using an ultrasonic transducer to convert a high-frequency electrical signal to ultrasonic sound waves in the cleaning solution. The transducer (mounted in the tank) vibrates in tune with the electrical signal to create sound waves throughout the cleaning bath. Microscopic cavitation bubbles are created in the low-pressure troughs of the ultrasonic waves and collapse in the high-pressure peaks.

As each of the cavitation bubbles collapses, it creates a powerful suction effect that dislodges microbes and contaminates particles from the parts' surfaces to be cleaned. Once dislodged, the microbes are fully in contact with the cleaning solution's disinfectant and are killed. You can find details of the type of disinfectant that works best for ultrasonic cleaning by referring to the website "Infection Control Today".

Here are the key factors to consider when using medical ultrasonic cleaners to clean surgical tools and instruments:

• Size of the cleaning tank – It should be sized with the largest dimension longer than the length of the largest part. Often, a basket is used to hold the smaller components and keep them from vibrating against the tank's sides.
• Power required – The ultrasonic cleaning system should have enough power to fill the cleaning tank with the ultrasonic waves.
• Frequency – Choosing the wrong frequency can lead to damage to these surgical tools and instruments, many of which contain soft, delicate, or fragile parts and components. Low frequencies produce comparatively bigger cavitation bubbles and a robust cleaning action, which can damage fragile parts.

For more details, read the complete article, “How Ultrasonic Cleaners Are Used to Provide Effective Infection Control.” You may contact Kaijo Shibuya if you would like to set up a free consultation by calling them at 408-676-5575 or sending an email to info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

ROI on Using Sonic Cleaners

Every business manager that buys equipment needs to consider the return on investment (ROI) as part of the decision process. In the case of ultrasonic cleaners, the manager compares the cost of purchasing equipment with the anticipated savings. If the savings over two to three years are equal or greater than the ultrasonic cleaner's cost, the business manager will likely proceed with the equipment purchase. In this case, it means that the cost of purchasing the ultrasonic cleaner is returned after two or three years.

For many ultrasonic cleaner applications, the ROI is expected in much less than two or three years due to the substantial savings on labor and supplies it can provide. The analysis has become more favorable for the cleaners' purchase when the expected lifespan of the equipment is taken into account. After the two or three years are up, and the business has paid back the cost of the purchase from its savings, the ultrasonic cleaners will continue to generate these savings, increasing business profitability.

Apart from financial considerations, the ultrasonic cleaning systems’ performance is superior to most traditional cleaning methods, which also require a lot of work such as scrubbing and soaking of the parts in harsh chemicals. The work is difficult and time-consuming, especially if the parts being cleaned have complex shapes and difficult-to-access areas.

With ultrasonic cleaners, labor costs, and the cost and use of chemicals are significantly reduced. The parts are placed in the cleaning tank, and then the timer is set. After the timer period is up, the parts are now cleaned, with all the contamination completely removed. Supervision is not needed for the cleaning process, allowing the operators to complete other tasks as the ultrasonic cleaner works.

Plus, ultrasonic cleaners deliver rapid and thorough cleaning of parts, which results in increased throughput and improved quality. This means that apart from saving money and improving product quality and customer satisfaction, the use of ultrasonic cleaning is the right one for most businesses.

For more details read the complete article “ROI on Using Sonic Cleaners”. If you have questions or would like to set up a free consultation to discuss your specific cleaning requirements, contact Kaijo at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

Why the Medical Industry Has Increased Their Use of Ultrasonic Cleaning

Safe medical practices require a high degree of cleanliness. That's why medical instruments, implants, and other medical devices have to be cleaned thoroughly before use.

Medical instruments and devices may have been contaminated with bodily fluids, while implants may have manufacturing residues that have to be removed. Ultrasonic cleaning uses microscopic cavitation bubbles to break up and dislodge surface contamination quickly and thoroughly.

Medical ultrasonic cleaners work by generating microscopic cavitation bubbles throughout the cleaning bath. When these bubbles collapse, they emit a tiny but powerful jet that dislodges dirt and contamination from the devices' surface to be cleaned. The millions of the tiny cavitation bubbles produce an intense scrubbing action that leaves device surfaces completely clean.

Traditional cleaning methods such as manual cleaning and soaking the parts in chemicals can be time-consuming, costly, unsafe, and, most of all, won't produce the same complete cleaning results as an ultrasonic cleaner does. The traditional cleaning process may also require constant monitoring. Manual cleaning and scrubbing of sharp objects can cause puncturing wounds or cuts, and the process can take a lot of time and effort. Not to mention that manual cleaning can be difficult, especially if the device has complex shapes or hard-to-clean openings and crevices.

On the other hand, soaking the parts requires chemicals that have to be purchased, stored, delivered, and (when they're no longer needed) disposed of properly. These harsh cleaning chemicals can pose a significant environmental hazard if not handled properly.

Many of these medical tools and devices are delicate that they cannot withstand high temperatures. For instance, cleaning them with hot water may cause damage and, in turn, compromise their efficiency. Optical devices such as parts of fiber optics may have delicate surfaces that manual scrubbing can damage them. Medical ultrasonic cleaners can be designed to deal with these issues and thoroughly clean fragile electronic and optical devices

Ultrasonic cleaning, therefore, may help address these issues. The parts are placed in a basket immersed in the cleaning bath that can be plain water or solution with only mild detergent or disinfectant. After a timed period of ten to twenty minutes, the clean parts can be removed from the bath. No manual cleaning or scrubbing, use of chemicals, and supervision of the cleaning process are needed. The result is clean objects that can be sterilized without fear that hidden contamination may protect microbes and pathogens against sterilization.

For more details read the article, “Why the Medical Industry Has Increased Its Use of Ultrasonic Cleaning”. As a leader among ultrasonic cleaner manufacturers, Kaijo Shibuya provides extensive experience with a broad product line and outstanding customer support to address your industrial cleaning requirements. Contact them at info@kaijo-shibuya.com or call 408-675-5575.

What Medical Applications Require High Frequency Ultrasonic Cleaning?

Ultrasonic cleaning is the ideal solution for many medical applications because medical ultrasonic cleaners deliver rapid and complete cleaning without using hazardous chemicals. They can even clean parts with complex shapes, interior cavities, or cracks and ridges wherever the cleaning solution can penetrate. Medical applications, such as implants, surgical instruments, and other medical devices, must be clean and sterile in ultrasonic bath with a disinfecting solution.

Choosing the right type of frequency in an ultrasonic cleaner will result in optimum cleaning performance. For medical devices with soft or delicate parts, or those that may have parts with delicate structures, the best cleaning performance is achieved by gentle cleaning at high frequencies. Low frequencies produce a powerful cleaning action that can dislodge contaminants effectively, causing pitting of soft surfaces or damage to fragile components.

Ultrasonic systems generate microscopic bubbles in the cleaning solution. When the bubbles burst, they produce energetic jets that dislodge contaminants from the medical devices' surfaces. Higher frequencies produce smaller bubbles and less energetic jets, which are ideal for cleaning fragile and delicate parts such as parts of medical devices. Such components could be damaged very easily by powerful mechanical cleaning. High-frequency medical ultrasonic cleaners deliver thorough but gentle cleaning action, which is suitable for medical devices.

Specific medical instruments – such as those that take readings of a patient's condition – can't be sterilized with heat because their circuitry and material are heat-sensitive. In this case high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning technology can clean such instruments in a solution of disinfectant, which will sterilize and clean them at the same time.

For more details, read the complete article “What Medical Applications Require High Frequency Ultrasonic Cleaning.” If you have questions, or would like to set up a free consultation to discuss how an ultrasonic cleaner can be used to meet your cleaning needs, contact Kaijo Shibuya at 408-675-5575 or email to info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

Which Ultrasonic Frequencies Are Used in Automotive Parts Cleaning?

Automotive parts typically have hard surfaces and are comparatively rugged, allowing ultrasonic cleaning to take place at the low-frequency spectrum in an ultrasonic cleaner. Within that lower range, there is still room for optimizing the cleaning performance by matching the automotive ultrasonic cleaner frequency exactly to the automotive parts to be cleaned.

Low frequencies can clean solid, rugged steel parts rapidly and thoroughly. Higher frequencies can clean more delicate parts or parts with special coatings.

Ultrasonic cleaners work by using ultrasonic generators to produce microscopic cavitation bubbles as the ultrasonic sound waves pass through the cleaning solution. The bubbles form in the low-pressure troughs and collapse in high-pressure peaks. As the cavitation bubbles bust, they produce tiny, high-energy jet that impacts the surface of the part being cleaned which dislodges and removes contaminants.

The size of the bubble and the energy of their jets depends on the ultrasonic frequency. Lower frequencies produce larger bubbles and more powerful jets. High frequencies produce smaller bubbles and less energetic jets. The ideal match between the frequency and the parts to be cleaned uses a frequency powerful enough to dislodge dirt, but not too powerful to cause pitting or damage part surfaces, coatings, plating, or small structures.

Typical parts cleaned with automotive ultrasonic cleaners include brake parts, injector nozzles, cylinder heads, carburetor and differential components. In each case the frequency selected depends on the part material and surfaces, the amount of contaminating material and the contaminants' composition.

Kaijo helps customers select the right ultrasonic cleaners from their extensive line of ultrasonic cleaning equipment to achieve effective automotive part cleaning results.

Read the complete article, “Which Ultrasonic Frequencies Are Used in Automotive Parts Cleaning?” for further details on using ultrasonic cleaners for automotive parts cleaning. If you would like to get a free consultation on your cleaning requirements, contact Kaijo Shibuya at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

 

Why Medical 3D Printing Uses Ultrasonic Cleaning

Medical 3D printing is used to produce instruments, implants, and prostheses that must be completely cleaned before being used. Since 3D-printed medical implants and instruments are inserted into the body, they must be cleaned to meet medical requirements. Any contamination can result in serious infections, and ultimately, failure of the implant procedure.

Medical ultrasonic cleaners can help ensure that the 3D-printed products and parts are clean, sterile, and free from contaminants. 3D-printed medical parts may contain traces of support material, dirt that may have been picked up during transportation and storage, or pathogens that may have been transferred onto the part during handling in the hospital. 

Medical ultrasonic cleaners can remove bacteria, viruses, or other organic contamination from all of these sources and provides an excellent solution to cleaning medical 3D parts.

Ultrasonic cleaning works by generating microscopic cavitation bubbles in a cleaning solution inside a cleaning tank. The bubbles are produced by the ultrasonic sound waves when they pass through a liquid. The bubbles collapse and direct tiny powerful jets onto the surfaces of the parts to be cleaned. These jets dislodge dirt and contamination on the underlying surface.

Ultrasonic cleaning cleans medical 3D parts fast and completely. It can even clean around complex shapes, dead-end holes, and inside threads of the medical parts to be cleaned. With the right frequency, it does not cause damage to the delicate parts. Using Kaijo’s ultrasonic cleaners saves time, money, and labor. It doesn’t require heavy mechanical scrubbing and harsh cleaning chemicals. It uses only water, and sometimes a mild detergent or disinfectant, depending on the contamination of the medical parts.

Kaijo offers a free consultation for ultrasonic cleaning applications and has the experience and expertise to design and build systems for cleaning specific types of medical devices. For more details read the complete article, “Why Medical 3D Printing Uses Ultrasonic Cleaning”. Contact Kaijo Shibuya at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com if you have questions or would like to set up a free consultation.

How Ultrasonic Cleaners Reduce Labor Costs and Improve Employee Safety

Ultrasonic cleaning technology is a fast and safe way to clean various parts without heavy mechanical brushing or harsh cleaning chemicals. By using ultrasonic cleaners, the cleaning process is faster, more thorough, and efficient – even complicated shapes and hard-to-reach areas can be cleaned effectively. 

Ultrasonic cleaning technology involves the generation of microscopic cavitation bubbles by channeling ultrasonic sound waves through water. When the bubbles burst, they direct small but powerful jets of liquid at the part's surface to be cleaned. These jets dislodge foreign material from the part surfaces and deliver highly effective cleaning action.

The use of ultrasonic cleaning technology provides a significant reduction in costs and labor. Ultrasonic cleaners only require a cleaning solution of water or solution with mild detergent, so there's no need to use harsh cleaning chemicals. There's also no need for mechanical scrubbing or soaking of parts in chemicals which provides a significant reduction of labor.

With ultrasonic cleaners, the operator places the parts to be cleaned in the cleaning tank, sets a timer, and leaves the machine to do its work. Ultrasonic cleaners are completely safe and do not need monitoring. In addition to reduced costs of human resources, there are also big savings from the elimination in the handling, and disposal of toxic and hazardous cleaning chemicals. The elimination of chemicals also results in a much more environmentally friendly operation.

A mild detergent added to the water will speed up the cleaning process for cleaning parts with oily or greasy residues. For cleaning parts with heavy contamination (such as hard, baked-on grime), heating the solution can soften the contaminant and make cleaning more comfortable and faster. These methods are still safer and more efficient compared to traditional cleaning.

Kaijo’s ultrasconic parts cleaners are designed to provide both safety and low cost of ownership. For more details read the complete article, “How Ultrasonic Cleaners Reduce Labor Costs and Improve Employee Safety.” For a free consultation or a quote, contact Kaijo Shibuya at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com

Cleaning Aluminum Engine Parts in an Ultrasonic Cleaner

Aluminum engine parts may require routine cleaning or removal of contaminants before re-building. Because aluminum is softer than steel, scrubbing it or scraping it to remove contaminants may damage the surface of the part. While manual or mechanical scrubbing is the typical cleaning procedure for aluminum, soaking parts in strong solvents to soften hard deposits is another procedure.

Ultrasonic parts cleaners can clean and remove deposits faster and more thoroughly, efficiently, and safely than traditional cleaning methods. What's more, an ultrasonic cleaner delivers superior cleaning results and reduces costs.

Ultrasonic cleaners rely on the generation of microscopic cavitation bubbles in the cleaning solution. As the ultrasonic sound waves pass through the liquid, these bubbles form, and collapse, producing high-energy jets. The jets strike the surface of the aluminum and dislodge deposits and films.

Two of the significant advantages of using ultrasonic cleaners are complete one-step cleaning and a safer working environment. There is no need for manual or mechanical scrubbing or the use of harsh and toxic cleaning chemicals. Just place the parts to be cleaned in the cleaning solution inside the tank and let the ultrasonic system work without supervision. The tiny cavitation bubbles penetrate wherever cleaning solution is present and clean even inside dead-end holes, inside threads, in nozzles, and around intricate shapes. The result is completely cleaned surfaces.

The chosen frequency is also the key to proper cleaning of aluminum engine parts, which use different alloys, coatings, and metal treatments depending on the characteristics needed for the part. The resulting metal surfaces can vary in hardness, which can be damaged by the cleaning action that is too robust. Kaijo can recommend the correct frequency for cleaning aluminum engine parts with different characteristics. Low frequency ultrasonic settings that include the commonly used 40kHz frequency for industrial cleaning will erode aluminum parts. Kaijo assists customers in choosing the proper frequency to safely cleaning critical engine parts.

The size of cavitation bubbles generated by the ultrasonic system depends on the frequency. Low frequencies produce larger bubbles and jets with enough energy to damage soft and delicate surfaces. Higher frequencies, on the other hand, generate smaller bubbles with less jet energy. The lowest frequency delivers extremely powerful and robust cleaning action, which is ideal for cleaning hard surfaces and surfaces with heavy contamination. If the surface of the part to be cleaned is softer, a higher frequency has to be used to avoid pitting of the metal surface.

The complete article, "Cleaning Aluminum Engine Parts in an Ultrasonic Cleaner", provides more detail about how Kaijo's ultrasonic cleaners thoroughly clean aluminum engine parts. For a free consultation or quote contact Kaijo Shibuya at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

Top Automotive Parts Cleaned with an Ultrasonic Cleaning System

Most automotive parts can be cleaned quickly and effectively using an ultrasonic cleaning system. Automotive parts are usually contaminated with oil, grease, and other heavy deposits. The top automotive parts suitable for ultrasonic cleaning include cylinder heads, fuel injectors, carburetors, brake cylinders, and differentials.



Traditional cleaning uses manual or mechanical scrubbing or harsh cleaning chemicals to remove heavy deposits and contamination from automotive parts. Parts may also need to be soaked for extended periods before being subjected to scrubbing, which would take a long time. Chemicals and manual or mechanical scrubbing can damage parts and surfaces. The use of chemicals is expensive as is the manpower needed to clean the parts.



On the other hand, an ultrasonic cleaning system is a faster, more efficient, and cost-effective alternative in cleaning automotive parts. The microscopic bubbles created in the cleaning solution by the ultrasonic waves deliver a powerful scrubbing action that removes contaminants from part surfaces and dislodges residues.



With ultrasonic cleaners, there is no need to add harsh cleaning chemicals or to do manual scrubbing. Just submerge the parts to be cleaned in the cleaning solution inside a tank and leave it unattended. Cleaning the components can be completed in as little as ten or fifteen minutes, and after that, the parts will come out completely clean and free from residues.



For cleaning automotive parts with heavy deposits (such as caked-on grease), heating the solution will soften the deposit and helps speed up the cleaning process. For cleaning excessively oily parts, only a mild detergent is added to remove the oil.



With ultrasonic cleaning, automotive parts will be properly and thoroughly cleaned while leaving them intact, making them ready for assembly.



Read the complete article, “Top Automotive Parts Cleaned with an Ultrasonic Cleaning System,” to learn why Kaijo’s ultrasonic cleaning systems are an ideal solution for cleaning automotive parts. Email Kaijo Shibuya at info@kaijo-shibuya.com or call 408-675-5575 to discuss your cleaning requirements or to schedule a free consultation.

Why Medical Equipment Manufactures Use Ultrasonic Cleaning

Medical equipment used for testing and analysis has to be free from dirt and contamination if the results are to be accurate. Thus, it has to be cleaned thoroughly and to the highest standards, while making sure that the cleaning process would not cause structural damage to them. Commonly used sterilization techniques such as steaming will cause electronics failure, while mechanical scrubbing can damage delicate parts.



That's why specialized medical ultrasonic cleaners are the best solution to remove all surface contaminants quickly and effectively. Ultrasonic cleaning also complements other sanitary medical practices and provides an all-purpose method of cleaning manufactured medical components.



The ultrasonic cleaning method works by the cavitation bubbles created in the cleaning solution from ultrasonic sound waves generated by a medical ultrasonic transducer. The bubbles form in low-pressure areas and collapse at pressure peaks. As the bubbles collapse, they produce a tiny energetic jet of cleaning solution that dislodges surface dirt when it comes in contact with the surface of the part that is being cleaned.



Aside from the correct power, the key to a successful ultrasonic cleaning of medical parts is using the right frequency. Low frequencies generate comparatively large bubbles, high-energy jets, and robust cleaning action. High frequencies, on the other hand, generate smaller bubbles and more gentle cleaning. Depending on the level of surface hardness and the type and level of contamination, users can choose the frequency to clean as quickly as possible without damaging the part surface.



The microscopic cavitation bubbles and the jets that they create are active wherever the cleaning solution is present. That is why they can clean areas that mechanical scrubbing usually cannot reach – complex shapes, dead-end holes, and interior hollows. These jets dislodge and remove all dirt particles and contamination, resulting in a completely clean part surface.



Read the complete article, “Why Medical Equipment Manufacturers Use Ultrasonic Cleaning,” for more details on medical ultrasonic cleaners that Kaijo supplies to the medical manufacturing industry. Contact Kaijo Shibuya at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com to discuss your cleaning requirements.

Why Ultrasonic Cleaning Is Important to Automotive Manufacturers

Ultrasonic cleaning can remove impurities and contaminants from the surfaces of the machined components, sheet metal, and other items that are finished automotive parts. Such cleaning is required because many parts come out of the manufacturing process with oil, grease, or shop dirt on their surfaces.

There are traditional cleaning methods to clean automotive parts, such as heavy manual scrubbing, harsh cleaning chemicals, and extensive soaking. However, ultrasonic cleaning is the best method as it cleans automotive parts quickly and thoroughly. It’s also cost-effective and environmentally safe.

Ultrasonic cleaning uses microscopic cavitation bubbles to scrub surfaces and remove contaminants. The bubbles are generated by the action of ultrasonic waves in the cleaning solution, and their energy depends on the sound frequency. The automotive ultrasonic cleaners are configurable for the type of part, and contamination found.

In ultrasonic cleaning, the key to a successful cleaning of automotive parts is choosing the proper frequency. Low frequencies produce larger bubbles and more robust cleaning action, while higher frequencies produce smaller cavitation bubbles and gentler cleaning action. The bubbles are present anywhere in the liquid solution, which enables the cavitation bubbles to clean even inside holes, hollow curves, or inside bearings.

Low frequencies are better for cleaning rugged parts made of steel and other harder materials. High frequencies, on the other hand, are more appropriate for cleaning softer or delicate parts (such as aluminum or parts that are coated or treated), so that surface damage such as pitting can be avoided.

 When the right frequency is chosen, dirt and contaminants are entirely removed, leaving the machined parts, sheet metal parts, and other automotive assembly parts thoroughly clean. 

It is vital to have the automotive parts cleaned before assembly, which in turn can improve performance, durability, and resistance to failure. Some parts need to be cleaned before painting or coating. Automotive ultrasonic cleaners can be configured for the type of part and the kind of contamination to ensure quick and thorough cleaning before assembly or subsequent manufacturing steps.

The complete article, “Why Ultrasonic Cleaning is Important to Automotive Manufacturers,” goes into further detail. Contact Kaijo Shibuya at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com to get additional information or schedule a free consultation.

Can an Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaner Clean It?

An industrial ultrasonic cleaner can clean almost any item, as long as it can be immersed in a cleaning tank of water and then dried after cleaning.



Ultrasonic cleaners work by creating microscopic bubbles in water of a cleaning tank to dislodge particles of dirt and contaminants from the surfaces of the parts to be cleaned. Microscopic bubbles, also called cavitation bubbles, are formed when the ultrasonic sound waves travel through water. The sound waves form low-pressure troughs between the waves and high-pressure peaks. The bubbles form at low pressure and collapse at high pressure, releasing a jet of liquid that is powerful enough to dislodge the contaminants off the surfaces of parts that are being cleaned. This cycle repeats thousands of times per second, and the many microscopic jets of water can clean a wide variety of parts.



The great thing about industrial ultrasonic cleaners is that they use plain water for general cleaning of parts. Sometimes, a mild detergent or solvent is added when the parts are heavily contaminated with oil or grease or have contaminants that are difficult to remove.



Heat is also applied to parts contaminated with hard dirt and caked-on residues. In this case, the cleaning tank must have a heater and the ultrasonic transducers that generate the sound waves in the cleaning solution must withstand the high temperatures. The heated water softens the deposits and then the cavitation bubbles do the rest of the cleaning work.



Choosing the right frequency is one of the keys to a successful cleaning of the parts. Low frequencies are appropriate for cleaning rugged parts made of hard and resilient materials such as steel, brass, and cast iron. The comparatively large cavitation bubbles perform a robust cleaning action which is suitable for getting rid of heavy dirt and contaminants. High frequencies, on the other hand, are ideal for cleaning delicate parts, such as medical equipment. The bubbles created at higher frequencies are smaller and the cleaning action becomes gentler and less intense. These delicate parts would suffer surface pitting if the low frequency is used.



For more details read the complete article, “Can an Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaner Clean It?” If you would like a free consultation to discuss how an ultrasonic cleaner can be used to meet your cleaning requirements contact Kaijo at 408-675-5575 or mail info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

How Ultrasonic Cleaners Are Effectively Used in Healthcare Facility

Healthcare industry tools, devices, and equipment must satisfy exceptionally high standards of cleanliness. However, many of these things are usually hard to clean. Items that have been re-used may be contaminated with bacteria, viruses, and other undesirable contaminants.  Also these items are often delicate and have complex shapes.



Medical equipment usually has intricate shapes, parts, and dead-end holes and crevices. When equipment is used it can have traces of bacteria and other foreign matter that hide in places that are hard to reach and clean. Harsh chemicals and solvents can't be used because their handling might endanger medical personnel traces of them that have been left on the parts that may harm patients. Mechanical scrubbing, on the other hand, may damage the parts and may often miss hidden contamination.



Ultrasonic cleaning systems are an ideal solution since they provide a thorough and consistent cleaning action to remove surface contaminates. It uses either plain or distilled water for general cleaning of parts. Mild detergents and solvents are only added when cleaning more heavily contaminated parts. Ultrasonic cleaners act quickly to remove all foreign matter from an item surfaces, resulting in cleanliness to meet medical standards.



An ultrasonic cleaning system uses an ultrasonic generator to produce a high-frequency signal that is converted to sound waves by a transducer immersed in the cleaning solution. The sound waves create microscopic bubbles that scrub the surfaces of the items being cleaned. Particles of dirt or organic matter are dislodged from the surface of medical equipment, instrument, device, or piece of the equipment and are washed away by the cleaning solution.



The microscopic bubbles, called cavitation bubbles, work rapidly and their even distribution ensures complete and consistent cleaning of medical parts and equipment. The cavitation bubbles are so tiny that they can penetrate the smallest cracks and holes to clean out any debris. Since the cleaning is based on a mechanical action, no harsh cleaning chemicals are needed, and no rinsing or wiping is required.



Rapid cleaning is especially important for healthcare facilities especially those that are in areas hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ultrasonic cleaner's quick and rapid cleaning action to remove all foreign matter from the item's surfaces results in cleanliness to meet stringent medical standards. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that healthcare-associated infections are responsible for 4.5 infections per 100 hospital admissions. Medical equipment that is cleaned completely through the use of ultrasonic cleaning systems will reduce the chances of infections, and reduce risks to the medical personnel and patients.


The complete article, How Ultrasonic Cleaners are Effectively Used in the Healthcare Industry, provides more details. If you have questions or would like to discuss how your facility can use ultrasonic cleaning, contact Kaijo Shibuya at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com.