Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems
Ultrasonic
cleaning systems are more environmentally-friendly than using
chemical solvents or hazardous chemicals. These systems use the power
of ultrasonic sound frequencies provided by transducers to convert
electricity into intense frequencies that cause the formation and
implosion of minuscule bubbles in a liquid cleaning medium. The bubbles
perform a scrubbing action that reaches into grooves and hidden parts
of products that are immersed into an agitated fluid. The frequencies
of the sound waves are used in the ultrasonic cleaning systems to
adjust the size and amount of cavitation, or the formation and collapse
of the bubbles. Ultrasonic cleaning systems are capable of cleaning
individual parts as well as multiple items simultaneously and are used
in a variety of commercial and industrial applications. The automotive,
pharmaceutical, medical, beverage, electronics, marine, sports
equipment and weapons industries all use large capacity ultrasonic
systems to clean products like hard drive components, small automotive
parts and process machine components that have grease or lubricant
build up. Smaller models exist for at-home use, which generally
involves jewelry cleaning applications.
Ultrasonic
cleaning systems are composed of a cleaning tank, which is usually made
of stainless steel, cleaning fluid, which can be hot water or a
water-based solvent, agitators, transducers, pumps or pressure
generators, nozzles and reclamation systems. Many also have drying
systems. Larger products are often placed right in the tank, while
large amounts of smaller objects are submerged in the cleaning solution in
a basket. The ultrasonic cleaning process is fast, automated and
requires little manual labor. It has replaced the traditional methods
that used scrubbing with toxic and harsh solvents. In order to ensure
that every product's surface, holes and cavities are cleaned properly,
many systems have rotating parts holders, tumbling baskets or
oscillating systems. Once the products or parts have been immersed in
the cleaning solution, ultrasonic sound frequencies cause cavitation,
which is the formation and implosion of millions of tiny bubbles in the
liquid. When these bubbles implode, a scrubbing action to the product
surfaces occurs, ridding them of contaminating substances. Small dirt
particles that reside in hard-to reach crevices are easily purged when
using ultrasonic cleaning systems. There is a direct connection between
how the frequency and the number of implosions which allows for a high
level of control; high frequencies ideal for the removal of very small
particles without harming the surface of the industrial part.
