How Ultrasonic Cleaners Are Used in Flat Panel Glass Processing

The flat panel glass is used in many products including flat screen products. The manufacturing steps in flat panel glass processing involve the application of coatings, adding semiconductor functions and special treatments of the glass. Manufacturing processes also often leave residues and the glass itself can pick up dirt and contaminants from the shop environment. Before it can be processed further, flat panel glass must be effectively and completely cleaned. Industrial ultrasonic cleaners used in these applications only require the use of mild detergents is safe for workers and the environment.

After flat glass sheets have been cut, the edges need to be polished and the corners rounded. The resulting flat panel glass that has a specific size and shape will then go through additional processing.

The additional process steps can include the addition of color or polarizing filters, layers for liquid crystal displays or chip on glass applications. For each of these process steps, having a clean glass surface is essential. Industrial ultrasonic cleaners are essential to the cleaning process to ensure surface contamination is removed and ensure quality flat panel glass products are produced.

While each of the process steps requires cleaning glass panels, the actual cleaning requirements needed for each steep may be different. For rough cleaning and removal of heavy contamination from the glass itself, the strong cleaning action from a low-frequency ultrasonic system may be appropriate. For filter coatings and chip on glass cleaning requirements, however, higher-frequency systems delivering gentle cleaning without damaging delicate films and components may be required. Since there are many cleaning applications in flat panel manufacturing specific requirements and customized ultrasonic systems may be required.

Kaijo can help flat panel manufacturers effectively use ultrasonic cleaning systems in their production lines to ensure high-quality products are produced. For more information read the complete article titled “How Ultrasonic Cleaners Are Used in Flat Panel Glass Processing.” For more information on Kaijo’s complete line of industrial ultrasonic cleaners and equipment including their turn-key industrial ultrasonic cleaning systems, call 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com for a free quote or consultation.

Can Kaijo Create a Custom-Built Ultrasonic Cleaner for My Application?

Aside from standard ultrasonic cleaning solutions, there are also industrial ultrasonic cleaners that are custom-built solutions that cater to the clients' specifications. Kaijo’s extensive knowledge of ultrasonic cleaning technology allows them to analyze cleaning requirements to make needed adjustments to standard equipment for superior cleaning performance.

Industrial ultrasonic cleaners consist of an ultrasonic generator, a cleaning tank, and a transducer. Each of these components can be selected from a line of standard components but custom features can be added and a custom system can be assembled to respond to unusual cleaning conditions or requirements.

Kaijo first looks at the cleaning application and considers the factors affecting the cleaning system. These include the type of parts to be cleaned, nature or level of dirt or contamination to be removed, and whether the system is mainly used for a single cleaning task or whether many different types of cleaning have to be carried out.

Based on these factors, Kaijo decides on the ideal frequencies or frequency ranges as well as the system power. A lower frequency is usually used for removing tough dirt from rugged parts in a single use application, while a higher frequency is ideal for removing light contaminants from delicate parts. Also, the system power must be high enough to evenly fill the cleaning tanks with ultrasonic waves.

Once Kaijo has chosen the frequencies and the power, the company looks at the physical installation, determining the right kind of transducer and tank. Transducers can be immersible or mounted on the tank. Tanks could be existing ones or new ones. The size of tanks and materials used could influence the cleaning process.

Once these characteristics are determined, Kaijo chooses the components from its complete line of ultrasonic cleaning equipment. The company decides whether it's the standard off the shelf components can be used or if custom components will be required by the client.

The complete article “Can Kaijo Create a Custom-Built Ultrasonic Cleaner for My Application?” provides additional information. If you have questions after reading the article or would like to set up a free consultation to discuss your needs, please call 408-675-5575 or send an email to info@kaijo-shibuya.com. 

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.

How Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaners Enhance Aerospace Safety

Aerospace parts and components used in rockets and aircraft need to withstand the extreme temperatures and operating conditions in which they are normally used. Part of the maintenance requires that they are cleaned from contaminants and checked regularly to maintain their functionality. Cleaning needs to be thorough to ensure that they won't malfunction during operation and put the passengers' and crew's safety at risk. Industrial ultrasonic cleaners are the better alternative in cleaning aerospace parts and components because they provide a more thorough and more efficient cleaning solution.

Ultrasonic cleaning systems work by generating an electric signal and converting it into sound waves inside the cleaning tank, which usually contains water (or water added with only a mild cleaning solution) and the part or component to be cleaned is immersed in it. With the ultrasonic sound waves travel through the cleaning solution, they produce pressure peaks and troughs.

Microscopic bubbles form in the pressure troughs and collapse in the peaks. These are called cavitation bubbles – high-energy bubbles that produce a powerful jet which removes contaminants from the surface of the object being cleaned. These bubbles can even clean inaccessible areas as well as irregular curves, holes and crevices of the contaminated aerospace parts, something which mechanical brushing cannot do. The result is a more complete and thorough cleaning action of these industrial parts.

Ultrasonic cleaning systems do not use harsh chemicals, intense mechanical brushing and pressure washing which are typical in conventional cleaning methods. With heavy contamination, conventional cleaning methods may not remove all the contaminants completely, and aggressive cleaning may damage parts or reduce their useful life.

High-Performance industrial ultrasonic cleaners deliver quick, thorough and comprehensive cleaning action that makes them suitable for a wide variety of cleaning applications. Since ultrasonic cleaning tanks do not involve the use and disposal of harsh chemicals, they are a safer and more environmentally-friendly choice for cleaning industrial parts.

Kaijo has a complete line of industrial ultrasonic cleaners and also provides expert help and assistance in helping customers use the right system for their specific application. For more details read the complete article, “How Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaners Enhance Aerospace Safety”. Call Kaijo at 408-675-5575 if you have questions or would like to get a free consultation.

How Ultrasonic Waves Are Produced for Industrial Cleaning Applications

Industrial ultrasonic cleaners deliver cleaning performance that is faster, safer, and more efficient than traditional cleaning methods that use chemicals. Along with being more effective, this method is more environmentally friendly since cleaning doesn't require the use of harsh chemicals or mechanical scrubbing. Tiny cavitation bubbles generated by the ultrasonic system do the removal of impurities from a variety of parts and components, which range robust metal and ceramics to delicate semiconductors.

The three main components of the ultrasonic cleaning system consist of the ultrasonic generator, the transducer, and the cleaning tank.

The cleaning tank holds the cleaning solution as well as parts to be cleaned. It must be heavy and durable enough to withstand the cleaning action of the ultrasonic waves, and big enough to contain the biggest parts to be cleaned.

How doultrasonic cleaners work? The ultrasonic generator produces the electric signal which, in turn, generates the ultrasonic waves via the transducer.

The function of the transducer is to handle the frequency and power produced by the generator to create the ultrasonic waves in the cleaning solution. When the ultrasonic waves travel through the cleaning solution, it creates compression peaks and troughs. The tiny cavitation bubbles form in the troughs where there is low pressure and collapse in the peaks because of high pressure.

When the bubbles collapse, each of them releases a small but powerful jet of liquid, which produce an intense cleaning action on the surfaces of the parts being cleaned. This effectively dislodges any contaminants and any other impurities from the surface of the part being cleaned. The microscopic bubbles can clean even intricate shapes and hard-to-access holes and crevices. Result is fast and thorough cleaning.

Kaijo Shibuya offers a complete line of industrial ultrasonic cleaning equipment. Read the complete article “How Ultrasonic Waves Are ProduceHow Ultrasonic Waves Are Produced for Industrial Cleaning Applicationsd for Industrial Cleaning Applications” to discover how Kaijo Shibuya’s industrial ultrasonic cleaners can be used in your cleaning application. For a free consultation or quote call Kaijo at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com. 

How Medical 3D Printing Benefits from Ultrasonic Cleaning

Hospitals, medical research centers and facilities produce 3D printed models of human body parts or internal organs to create prosthetics for the purposes of surgical procedure, diagnosis, or for educational purposes. Industrial ultrasonic cleaners are now being used to ensure that parts manufactured for medical use are ready for use.

3D-printed models of human body parts and organs are made with build material. The support material, on the other hand, holds the build material until the latter has hardened and self-supporting, and then the support material must be removed to ensure model accuracy. This is where industrial ultrasonic cleaners are used to provide precise cleaning without damaging the material being cleaned.

The ultrasonic cleaning system uses a generator that produces ultrasonic electrical signal. The transducer, then, converts this signal into ultrasonic waves that travel through the cleaning solution inside the tank. Microscopic cavitation bubbles form from the waves, and then collapse in the pressure peaks.

The cavitation bubbles encounter the support material and effectively dislodge it from the build material. The great thing about ultrasonic cleaning is that it doesn't cause any damage to the build material that is being cleaned.

Depending on the 3D model being cleaned, Kaijo’s industrial ultrasonic cleaners can operate at frequencies delivering the precise cleaning strength. Lower frequencies (26 kHz or 38 kHz) produce larger cavitation bubbles which perform a more robust cleaning action on typical 3D models. For more cleaning delicate models or models with fragile material, higher frequencies (450 kHz or 950 kHz) are used to produce smaller bubbles which deliver a gentler cleaning action.

Medical 3D models benefit from ultrasonic cleaning. First, it does rapid and thorough cleaning of support material. Second, it is free from human errors. Third, no harsh chemicals or scrubbing is involved. And fourth, disposal of wastes doesn't require additional measures.

Kaijo can help hospitals and medical facilities realize the benefits of using ultrasonic technology with 3D printing. For more details read the entire article, “How Medical 3D Printing Benefits from Ultrasonic Cleaning”. For a free consultation or quote call Kaijo at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com. 

Why Use Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems with a Heater?

Ultrasonic cleaning systems can remove a wide variety of contaminants from the surfaces of parts that need to be cleaned, however removing certain kinds of contaminants require more time than other cleaning applications.

The performance of an ultrasonic cleaning system depends on the parts to be cleaned and the type of the contaminants that have to be removed. For instance, robust parts like automotive components can be typically cleaned in plain water, using the strong cleaning action of the lower frequencies (which produce larger and more energetic bubbles for more robust cleaning). More delicate and fragile parts like semiconductor wafers are usually cleaned using higher frequencies (which produce smaller and less energetic cavitation bubbles for delicate cleaning).

But sometimes, cavitation bubbles alone are not enough to remove tough deposits such as oil-based dirt and grease. That's where additional measures like a mild detergent and heat come into the picture.

In some cases, a combination of a mild detergent and heat can be tailored to a particular object, and the proper selection can help in improving the ultrasonic cleaning system's performance significantly. The detergent increases the solubility of the contaminants while heat softens them. The heat increases the effectiveness of the detergent. These measures will help in removing these contaminants quickly and completely.

Kaijo’s ultrasonic cleaning systems consist of ultrasonic generators (which produce the ultrasonic signal and are selected depending on the frequency needed for the cleaning application), transducers (which should be matched to work with the selected generator), and a tank (which holds the bath and the objects to be cleaned in it).

For cleaning applications requiring heat, both the transducer and the tank should be designed for a heated cleaning solution. Typical temperatures range from 80 degrees Centigrade (or 176 degrees Fahrenheit). Kaijo’s ultrasonic transducers and tanks can accommodate heating requirements up to 100 degrees centigrade (212 degrees Fahrenheit) and the company will work with customers to select right equipment and systems from their full line of products.

Learn more about Kaijo’s ultrasonic cleaning systems by reading our entire article titled “Why Use Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems with a Heater?” For more details contact Kaijo either by email at info@kaijo-shibuya.com or call use a 408-675-5575.

The Power behind Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems

Ultrasonic cleaning systems offer an ideal alternative to the traditional cleaning methods, which apply substances or physical contact such as using harsh chemicals or mechanical scrubbing.

But an ultrasonic cleaning system, as the name implies, uses sound rather than substance or scrubbing. It utilizes the principle of cavitation in cleaning contaminated tools and parts.

The principle of cavitation refers to a phenomenon in which disturbances in liquids lead to the creation of short-lived cavities bubbles of gas or vacuum. When the bubbles reach high levels of energy, the bubbles implode and generate a considerable amount of force. The impact created by the imploding bubbles powers the ultrasonic cleaning method.

An ultrasonic cleaning system consists of a tank fitted with a special loudspeaker (transducer) which generates the high-energy ultrasonic waves. As the waves pass through a liquid of water, they reach a desired level of disturbance which leads to the formation of millions of tiny bubbles. As these bubbles form and implode many times each second, they create the cavitation energy needed to dislodge dirt, grease, and grime of the article immersed in the cleaning tank. Despite being tough and effective in removing dirt because of the cavitation energy, these bubbles otherwise will not damage even the most delicate tools.

Kajjo’s ultrasonic cleaning systems offer versatile cleaning ability which are also cost-effective and energy-efficient. A unit has a transducer which produces ultrasonic energy that range from 20 kHz to 1.5 MHz.  These systems employ piezoelectric transducer technology which promises – and delivers – superior cleaning performance over a wider range than other technologies. Piezoelectric transducer technology is far more suitable for ultrasonic cleaning because it has the ability to create ultrasonic sound energy at very high frequencies.

For more information read the complete article titled “The Power behind Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems”. If you would like to learn how ultrasonic cleaning can be effectively used for your application, contact Kaijo for a free consultation or quote at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

3 Big Cost Savings Benefits of Using Ultrasonic Cleaners vs. Spray Washers

If there's one thing that business and facilities owners want when they're considering a cleaning solution, it should be cost-effective.

Ultrasonic cleaners provide an excellent cleaning alternative to other traditional methods of cleaning, like spray washers. Ultrasonic cleaners can clean anything from delicate medical parts to machine parts, and everything in between.

But there are also other ways that business owners can benefit from using ultrasonic cleaners as opposed to spray washers, in relation to the cost:

1. Save on materials
Spray washers rely on large amounts of chemicals to clean stains and require operators to use protective equipment. These concerns are non-existent with ultrasonic cleaners. Cleaning with high-frequency pressure waves does not require chemical action to loosen stains. While it requires a mild detergent to help loosen the most stubborn stains, it is otherwise inexpensive when compared to the number of chemicals used in spray washers.

2. Save on labor costs
The ultrasonic waves generated by these cleaners do not need to be directly aimed at surfaces to be cleaned. The microscopic bubbles travel in every nook and cranny of the tools and parts being cleaned, assuring thorough cleaning. With ultrasonic cleaning, the parts become cleaner with less effort.

3. Save on maintenance
Spray washers may require lots of energy to operate. It has moving parts as well that require expensive maintenance -- if they cannot be maintained regularly, they would eventually lose their usefulness. Customized ultrasonic cleaners do not require much maintenance -- they don't come with moving parts -- all you have is a transducer and a bath of liquid. With very little maintenance, ultrasonic cleaning systems are guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Our complete article “3 Big Cost Savings Benefits of Using Ultrasonic Cleaners vs. Spray Washers” explains in more detail. After you read the article, if you have questions, contact us by calling 408-675-5575 or email us at info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

Cleaning Brass and Stainless Steel Using Ultrasonic Parts Cleaners

Ultrasonic parts cleaners use transducers and ultrasonic frequency generators to produce microscopic bubbles in water (or a mild cleaning solution). These tiny bubbles act as “scrubbers” that are highly effective in lifting away dirt and impurities from the parts being cleaned.

Ultrasonic parts cleaners are an excellent alternative to the traditional cleaning methods that use intense scrubbing and harsh cleaning chemicals that can leave deposits or cause damage to these parts.

Tools that are made of brass and stainless steel can also be cleaned using ultrasonic parts cleaners. These are considered “robust” parts. Ultrasonic cleaners operating at the lower ultrasonic frequency ranges are the most effective for cleaning such parts. Ultrasonic generators for 26 kHz or 38 kHz create large, energetic bubbles that form and collapse in time with the cleaning frequency. When these bubbles collapse at the surface of the brass or stainless steel, they release bursts of energy that dislodge dirt and impurities, while never causing damage to the solid metal surface.

For parts covered in heavy dirt like oil and grease, the effectiveness of ultrasonic cleaners can be improved by adding only a mild detergent to the water bath and by slightly heating the cleaning solution. The heat will help melt the oil and grease away from the surface while the detergent dissolves them. The ultrasonic bubbles penetrate wherever there is cleaning solution, leaving the brass and stainless steel parts thoroughly cleaned. Ultrasonic cleaners also make cleaning these parts quick and efficient as well.

If you have questions about how Kaijo’s ultrasonic parts cleaners can be used to clean your brass and stainless steel parts, read the complete article entitled “Cleaning Brass and Stainless Steel Using Ultrasonic Parts Cleaners”. You may also contact Kaijo by phone at 408-675-5575 or by emailing at info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

Why Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems Are Used by Aerospace Manufacturers

Aerospace industry manufacturers need to provide high-precision parts and also maintain and repair parts in production that are used in complex engines and machinery. Production parts and parts from maintenance and repair operations are usually contaminated by grease, dirt, soot, and lubricants as a result of the normal operation.

These parts and tools are traditionally cleaned by either manually washing or scrubbing, or by using harsh solvents. But there’s a better alternative to the traditional cleaning methods – the use of ultrasonic cleaning systems, which saves both time and money along with providing an environmentally friendly process that cleans parts fast and efficiently.  

Ultrasonic cleaning systems are made up of an ultrasonic generator, transducer and a cleaning tank. The ultrasonic generator is the “heart” of an ultrasonic cleaning system. The Ultrasonic transducers are installed inside the cleaning tank and convert electric signals from the generator into sound waves in the cleaning solution of the tank. These sound waves create microscopic bubbles that do the cleaning and scrubbing action, lifting away contaminants from the surfaces of the items (such as tools) in the cleaning solution. It leaves the items completely cleaned with no particles left over.

More aerospace manufacturers have transitioned to using ultrasonic cleaning systems from old traditional cleaning methods, for a number of reasons:

·         The cleaning of parts is more effective, efficient and thorough – the microscopic cleaning bubbles have the ability to penetrate and clean even in crevices, holes, and other more complicated and harder-to-reach areas of the tools being cleaned.

·         The cleaning fluid may consist of plain water or only a mild cleaning solution. No harsh and toxic cleaning chemicals needed.

·         It is faster.

·         It doesn’t require manual or mechanical scrubbing.

·         It is cost-effective.

·         It is safer to use compared to using harsh chemicals.

·         The frequencies of the signal can be adjusted to allow appropriate cleaning of robust or delicate tools and items.

If you have questions about how the Kaijo’s Ultrasonic cleaning systems can be used in your application, read the complete article entitled “Why Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems Are Used by Aerospace Manufacturers”. You may also contact Kaijo by phone at 408-675-5575 or by emailing at info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

How to Design an Ultrasonic Cleaning System for Your Application

Ultrasonic cleaning systems are an ideal solution for many industrial cleaning applications although the various components need to be selected according to the specific application they are used in. Both the operating frequencies of the system and the tank size are critical factors in selecting the right system. In addition, the power of the system, and the type of transducers used will impact how the system performs for a specific application.

Choosing the right type of ultrasonic cleaning system is important. Ultrasonic cleaning systems are made up of an ultrasonic generator which produces the ultrasonic signal and the transducers that convert the signal into sound waves in the cleaning solution of the cleaning tank. The components can be purchased separately or as a complete turn-key ultrasonic cleaning system that incorporates three components into one integrated package. Transducers can either be immersible units that can be moved or versions that are mounted or bolted onto the cleaning tank.

The size and shape of the parts determine the size of the cleaning tanks and the type of basket needed. The bigger the cleaning tank and part being cleaned, the more power will be required. Large numbers of smaller components may also need a bigger cleaning tank. A large tank need more power and may require several ultrasonic transducers to cover the whole tank.

The type of part material being cleaned and the nature of the contaminant determine the level of the frequency needed for the cleaning application. Low frequencies (20 kHz to 40 kHz) are best for cleaning heavy dirt from rugged parts (like metals and glass), while high frequencies (100 kHz) are ideal for removing dirt from delicate components (like solar cells, and fragile machine parts). Choosing the wrong frequency can result in either slow or ineffective cleaning, or even damage to the parts being cleaned.

Kaijo can help you choose the best system for your needs. Read the complete article “How to Design an Ultrasonic Cleaning System for Your Application” for more details. If you have questions or want a free consultation or quote call 408-675-5575 or send an email to info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

Can My Parts Be Cleaned Using Ultrasonics?

Can your manufacturing parts, tools and equipment be cleaned using ultrasonics? The answer is definitely yes. Ultrasonic cleaning works by the action of microscopic bubbles in a cleaning bath usually filled with water (or water with a mild cleaning solvent). As the ultrasonic waves travel through the bath, the waves produce crests of high and low pressure. This generates cavitation bubbles which create an intense cleaning action, leading to the thorough removal of contaminants from the surface of parts, tools or equipment being cleaned.

Ultrasonic cleaning systems deliver an optimum cleaning performance compared to traditional cleaning methods like mechanical scrubbing and harsh chemicals, which are not as effective in cleaning parts and also time-consuming and expensive.

An Ultrasonic cleaning system can increase production facility efficiency by reducing cleaning time, however the right characteristics need to be used for a specific cleaning application. Choosing the right frequency and power level is needed for optimal results in a particular cleaning application.

Systems with low frequencies (26 kHz to 38 kHz) create comparatively large bubbles, ideal for robust cleaning of certain hard surfaces (like steel, copper, and glass). Systems operating at higher frequencies (100 kHz and above) generate smaller bubbles that create a gentle cleaning action for delicate surfaces (such as medical tools and solar cells).

Kajio's Phenix turkey ultrasonic cleaning system proves to be versatile and able to meet a variety of requirements in many typical cleaning applications. The system includes:

·         the ultrasonic generator (which generates the electric signal)

·         the transducer (which converts the electric signal into the ultrasonic waves, from which the cavitation bubbles are ultimately formed)

·         the cleaning tank (which holds the parts to be cleaned, the transducer and the cleaning solution).

The system offers different tank sizes and can operate in sweep or fixed frequency modes. It also provides up to 1200 watts or power at 26kHz or 38 KHz.

For more information read complete article titled “Can My Parts Be Cleaned Using Ultrasonics?” Contact Kaijo’s staff of experts to get a free consultation to determine what Ultrasonic cleaning system will work best for your cleaning application by emailing info@kaijo-shibuya.com or by calling 408-675-5575.

Ultrasonic Cleaning 101: What Are Ultrasonic Waves and How Do They Clean?

How does ultrasonic cleaning work? Ultrasonic cleaning systems use ultrasonic waves to clean parts, tools, and equipment quickly, thoroughly and effectively. Typical features of the ultrasonic cleaning system include an ultrasonic generator, a transducer, and a cleaning tank.

The ultrasonic generator generates an electric signal at the required ultrasonic frequency, which ranges from 26 kHz to 200 kHz; it may be designed for a single frequency or a frequency range.

The transducer is usually submerged in the cleaning solution. Once it receives the electric signal from the ultrasonic generator, it converts the signal into ultrasonic waves in the cleaning solution. When this happens, the transducer's metal plate vibrates at the ultrasonic frequency and fills the liquid with the ultrasonic waves.  High performance industrial ultrasonic cleaners use plain water to clean but adding a mild detergent and heating the solution can assist with some contaminants.

The cleaning tank holds the items to be cleaned, the cleaning liquid and the transducer. It may include a basket to keep the items from touching the tank's walls and bottom, and may also include a heater to warm the liquid.

While all industrial ultrasonic cleaners work in the same way, the operating frequency will influence what kinds of parts can receive the most effective cleaning. Generally lower frequencies are good for heavy dirt and contamination on harder surfaces while higher frequencies are most effective for delicate cleaning applications on softer surfaces.

The ultrasonic waves effectively and thoroughly remove contaminants from the surface of the being cleaned through the action of the cavitation bubbles. The ultrasonic waves produced by the generator travel in the cleaning solution, the peaks, and troughs becoming areas of high and low pressure. The bubbles form and the collapse under low and high pressure, respectively, creating the scrubbing action that lifts the impurities from the surface.

Low frequencies (26 kHz to 38 kHz) create comparatively large bubbles that provide a more intense and robust cleaning action for certain items like glass and metal tools. High frequencies (100 kHz and higher) gives off a gentler cleaning action -- ideal for cleaning delicate tools and parts such as solar cells and medical equipment. Choosing the correct frequency and other features in the ultrasonic cleaning system is critical to ensure optimal cleaning performance.

For more details read the complete article titled “Ultrasonic Cleaning 101: What are Ultrasonic Waves and How Do They Clean?” If you have questions or would like a free quote, send an email to info@kaijo-shibuya.com or call 408-675-5575.

Why You Need an Ultrasonic Cleaning System for 3D Printed Parts

Thanks to the advances in 3D printing this new technology has become widely accessible with broad manufacturing capabilities. The 3D printers work by depositing tiny drops of material (usually a type of resin or plastic in liquid form) in thin layers according to the digital design. 3D printers can create objects with complex shapes and sizes that are samples or prototypes and they can also be used to make test pieces before starting actual production.

3D printing often involves creating several complex items using different material and there may be overhangs, gaps or complicated structures. To make sure that the printed parts won't collapse and or won't stick together, the 3D printer deposits supporting and separating material underneath. When the printing of the item is finished, these extra supporting materials must be removed from the printed item before use. 

An ultrasonic cleaning system is an ideal alternative to the traditional methods of cleaning 3D printed parts. It works by using ultrasonic waves to produce cavitation bubbles in a cleaning liquid. The bubbles form and collapse in time with the frequency of sound waves, and this particular action of the bubbles scrubs and cleans even the most inaccessible parts of a 3D-printed item being cleaned. It leaves the item completely clean and free of residues and unwanted extra material. An ultrasonic cleaning system proves to be quicker and more efficient in removing the extra parts from the 3D-printed material compared to the traditional cleaning methods like scrubbing and using solvents.

Kaijo's ultrasonic cleaning systems can clean 3D printed parts and remove unwanted filler material quickly and more effectively. The Phenix III turnkey system requires a minimum of installation and set up work and is ideal to clean the most typical 3D printed items. For cleaning bigger printed items, Kaijo's ultrasonic generators, transducers, and tanks can be used to set up special solutions depending on the client's specific cleaning requirements.

For more detailed information read the articled titled “Why You Need an Ultrasonic Cleaning System for 3D Printed Parts”. If you have questions or would like a free consultation to help you choose an ultrasonic cleaning system, email Kaijo Shibuya at info@kaijo-shibuya.com.