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.

How Ultrasonic Cleaners Utilize Cavitation

How do industrial ultrasonic cleaners work? They use cavitation in cleaning liquids to remove impurities from the surface of a wide variety of devices and parts that are being cleaned. The action of sound waves produces cavitation bubbles in the cleaning solution. As the sound waves travel through the cleaning liquid, the bubbles emerge under low pressure and collapse in the high-pressure peaks. The very action of these bubbles becomes the scrubbing action which lifts off the impurities from the surface of the items being cleaned while it's immersed in the water (or other mild cleaning solvents) of the cleaning tank.

Ultrasonic cleaning systems have proven to clean tools and parts more quickly, effectively and more thoroughly than traditional cleaning methods like intense scrubbing or use of harsh chemical solvents.

Manufacturing plants that have cleaning requirements for their equipment will definitely benefit from using an ultrasonic cleaning system as it is also economical and environment-friendly.

The action of the cavitation bubbles can be adjusted to various frequencies depending on the cleaning application requirements. Low frequencies (26 kHz-38 kHz the most) will result in large cavitation bubbles that are ideal for robust scrubbing and cleaning but are not suitable for cleaning more delicate parts. Higher frequencies (up to 1 MHz) produce smaller cavitation bubbles that are ideal for gently cleaning more delicate parts like semiconductor devices.

Kaijo offers a complete line of industrial ultrasonic cleaners and equipment. Customers can buy the Phenix III which includes an ultrasonic generator and a tank with the transducers already mounted; or they can purchase the Quava and Phenix Series ultrasonic generators, the tank and the transducers separately. Kaijo can also customize the set-up to meet specific client cleaning requirements, and help select the system that best meets their needs.

Read our complete article “How Ultrasonic Cleaners Utilize Cavitation” to learn about our ultrasonic cleaners. If you want a free quote or consultation, email info@kaijo-shibuya.com or call Kaijo Shibuya at 408-675-5575.

Ultrasonic Cleaners for Pharmaceutical Equipment

Pharmaceutical manufacturers use machines such as pill punches and filling machine valves which, over time, can become contaminated with mold or bacteria. This makes them quite a challenge to clean.

Cleaning this equipment with toxic chemicals and by shaking or agitation may not thoroughly clean them or worse, may bring more contamination issues.

Industrial ultrasonic cleaners are a more effective, more economical, and environment-friendly alternative to these traditional cleaning methods. They effectively clean the contaminants of the pharmaceutical equipment more quickly and thoroughly. They don't use scrubbing or shaking, or require the use of harsh cleaning chemicals.

Instead, the equipment to be cleaned is placed in an ultrasonic bath which consists of a tank containing only water or a mild cleaning solution. In the liquid bath, the ultrasonic transducer is converting an electrical signal of maybe 40 kHz into ultrasonic waves that permeate through the liquid. The frequency levels depend on the cleaning applications; higher frequencies are used for cleaning delicate parts while lower frequencies are used for more robust cleaning of rugged parts.

As the ultrasonic waves travel through the liquid, they produce microscopic cavitation bubbles which will form and collapse -- this particular action of the bubbles does the scrubbing and lifting of impurities from the equipment being cleaned. These cavitation bubbles can also go into crevices and apertures of the equipment to remove any material down to the original machined or manufactured surface. Depending on the frequency and power of the ultrasonic cleaning system, cleaning may take as little as ten minutes even for challenging applications.  

Kaijo’s industrial ultrasonic cleaners can clean pharmaceutical equipment quickly and thoroughly, with a low cost of ownership. Managers and decision managers at pharmaceutical firms may choose turnkey solutions such as Kaijo’s Phenix III system or individual components like the Quava ultrasonic generator, or ultrasonic cleaning transducers and cleaning tanks. The generators and transducers can be purchased separately if customers want to use existing tanks in their manufacturing facility. Customers can buy the standard equipment or equipment configured to match their specific requirements.

For more details read the complete article titled “Ultrasonic Cleaners for Pharmaceutical Equipment”. For a free quote or consultation to discuss your specific requirements contact Kaijo Shibuya via email at info@kaijo-shibuya.com or call 408-675-5575.

Using Ultrasonic Cleaners to Clean Carburetors and Engine Parts of Motorcycle and Autos

When carburetors and other engine parts on older automobiles and motorcycles become covered with grease and soot from frequent use, it can lead to a lot of adverse situations such as difficult starts, poor power delivery, and fuel inefficiency, as well as leaks.

Cleaning carburetors and other parts in the conventional way (such as scrubbing) can be quite a challenge. Not only is this time-consuming, it’s also a challenging task of disassembling and then putting them back together after cleaning.

This is where industrial ultrasonic cleaners enter the picture. It is an ideal alternative to the traditional process used for cleaning carburetors and engine parts. Ultrasonic cleaning is a gentle yet powerful and effective method that makes the practical use of a natural phenomenon called cavitation.

Industrial ultrasonic cleaners consist of a cleaning tank (or bath) with a transducer (which can come as either a built-in or removable feature). The tank may contain just water or a mild cleaning solution. Equipment to be cleaned, such as the carburetor, is placed in the tank. The unit generates the ultrasonic waves of ultra-high frequency which create a powerful cavitation effect. Millions of microscopic cavitation bubbles form over the surface of the carburetor then implodes with a strong force, powerful enough to remove the grease, soot, rust and any other contaminants from the surface. In a few minutes the carburetor and other engine parts become clean and completely stripped of contaminants.

Kaijo's industrial ultrasonic cleaners are efficient, cost-effective and environment-friendly methods for cleaning carburetors and other automotive parts. It doesn't require potentially damaging scrubbing or use of harsh solvents.

If you would like to learn more, read our complete article titled “Using Ultrasonic Cleaners to Clean Carburetors and Engine Parts of Motorcycles and Autos”. Contact Kaijo for a free quote or consultation either by email info@kaijo-shibuya.com or by calling 408-675-5575 to discuss your particular cleaning application requirements.

Using Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems to Safely and Effectively Clean Circuit Boards

Ultrasonic cleaning systems work by using a transducer plate in contact with water or a mild cleaning solution to produce cavitation bubbles that scrub the items to be cleaned.

Such systems remove impurities more effectively, thoroughly, and safely than conventional cleaning methods. They don't use traditional scrubbing or harsh cleaning chemicals. These attributes make ultrasonic cleaning systems especially ideal for cleaning circuit boards.

Kajio offers a wide range of ultrasonic cleaning system equipment. Apart from offering standard equipment, Kajio can also help customers select the system that best matches specific circuit board cleaning specifications and requirements.

Among the advantages of using ultrasonic cleaning systems are:

·         Rapid and thorough cleaning of all surfaces

·         Cavitation bubbles can clean and scrub complex geometries, through holes and into crevices

·         The frequency can also be adjusted to meet specific cleaning intensity

·         Water-based cleaning solutions which don’t require the use of harsh chemicals

The benefits of using ultrasonic cleaning systems include:

·         It is cost-effective

·         It eliminates the need to purchase, store and use harsh cleaning chemicals

·         It helps increase productivity and improve output quality

·         It can be used both for gentle cleaning of delicate parts and robust cleaning to remove heavier impurities

·         Its complete cleaning action can remarkably reduce failure rates

·         It is environment-friendly

When purchasing an ultrasonic cleaning system, consideration of the operating frequencies and the system's physical configuration are critical for obtaining the best cleaning performance possible. In addition to selecting the appropriate frequencies, adequate system power is important for industrial cleaning applications. Kaijo can evaluate a circuit board cleaning process and can recommend the appropriate ultrasonic cleaning system configuration.

For more information about the Kaijo’s ultrasonic cleaning systems read the complete article titled “Using Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems to Safely and Effectively Clean Circuit Boards”. If you have questions, want a quote or free consultation email info@kaijo-shibuya.com or call 408-675-5575.

Selecting Ultrasonic Transducers for Industrial Cleaning Applications

Ultrasonic cleaning systems consist of three parts: the ultrasonic generator, the transducer, and the cleaning tank. The generator produces an electric signal and the ultrasonic cleaning transducer converts the signal into compression waves into the cleaning solution. The waves then produce cavitation bubbles that do the scrubbing action of the components to be cleaned.

The role of the transducer is quite crucial for the cleaning of components, parts, and tools. It produces compression waves through the piezoelectric material that expands and contracts when subjected to the electric signal. The transducer changes the height of the piezoelectric material with the help of the electric signal that comes from the ultrasonic generator. That way, the transducer produces compression waves when its metal surface, tightly bonded to the surface, vibrates at a selected frequency.

Ultrasonic cleaning transducers need to be heavy, rugged and durable enough to withstand severe vibrations and immersion in cleaning solutions, as well as to generate powerful compression waves. Their surfaces must also be designed to resist pitting due to the action of cavitation bubbles.

Kaijo offers transducers that are heavy, rugged and durable. They are hermetically sealed in 316L polished stainless steel housing and are designed to withstand immersion in cleaning temperatures up to 100 degrees Centigrade.

Ultrasonic cleaning transducers are available in bolt-on, immersible or mounted versions. Immersible versions are independent units connected to the generator via a cable can be moved and placed anywhere in the cleaning tank. Mounted tranducers are integrated into cleaning tanks and are usually purchased for specially designed cleaning applications. Bolt-on transducers are similar to mounted, but are bolted onto the sides or bottom of cleaning tanks in single or multiple-unit configurations.

Kaijo’s ultrasonic cleaning systems range in frequencies from 26 kHz to 2MHz. Their variable power output has maximums of 600W or 1200W. Kaijo is able to evaluate a customer’s needs and propose the right custom solution. Learn more about the Kaijo ultrasonic transducers by reading “Selecting Ultrasonic Transducers for Industrial Cleaning Applications.” If you have any questions, want a free consultation or quote call at 408-675-5575 or send an email to info@kaijo-shibuya.com.