How Cleaning Ultrasonic Tanks Work

Ultrasonic cleaning tanks hold the water or cleaning solution that cleans parts and components through the action of cavitation bubbles produced by the ultrasonic sound waves. The sound waves come from the ultrasonic generator that is mounted inside the tank.

The cavitation bubbles provide the intense scrubbing and cleaning action through the liquid and can lift dirt even in hard-to-reach places such as tiny holes and crevices of the components being cleaned.

Kaijo's ultrasonic cleaning tanks are made of thick gloss polished stainless steel. They're specifically designed to withstand the cleaning action and vibrations generated by the transducers. Usually mounted on the tanks, the transducers convert the electric signal (from the ultrasonic generator) into sound waves, which produce the cavitation bubbles that provide the cleaning action. The ultrasonic tanks are specifically designed to withstand the cleaning action and vibrations created by ultrasonic transducers and are constructed to satisfy many different cleaning requirements.

Ultrasonic cleaning tanks are designed for use in a wide variety of industrial cleaning applications. They come in various sizes depending on the cleaning power required for a specific cleaning application. With over 60 years of experience in ultrasonic cleaning technology, Kaijo can help analyze your cleaning requirements and offer solutions to your specific needs.

Kaijo’s ultrasonic cleaning tanks are available with mounted transducers and generators that operate at either 26 kHz, 38 kHz or 78 kHz. These cleaning tanks are complete systems that deliver robust cleaning performance that clean most part in about 10 minutes. Kaijo’s Phenix III generator can be combined with these ultrasonic cleaning tanks and mounted transducers to provide a cost-effective and complete turn-key system.

The complete article titled “How Cleaning Ultrasonic Tanks Work” explains in more detail. If you want a free consultation or quote, contact info@kaijo-shibuya.com or call at 408-675-5575.

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.

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.