Ultrasonic Parts Cleaners
Ultrasonic parts cleaners are underwater cleaning systems that use high frequency sound waves to clean parts with hard surfaces. The sound waves create vibrations, which produce millions of tiny bubbles that scrub the surface of the parts, reaching into grooves and tiny holes that are usually hard to clean. They are faster, more consistent and safer than other methods available, and considered a very successful means of removing soluble particulates, including proteins, wax, heavy oils, dirt and grease, from parts. They may be small and portable for at-home use, or large for industrial applications. Ultrasonic cleaning methods are used in the medical, metalworking, automotive, electronics and jewelry industries to clean many different products, including electronics like computer monitors and keyboards.
Components of ultrasonic parts cleaners include a cleaning tank of varying size, agitators, transducers, pumps or pressure generators, a metal cabinet that acts as the housing, nozzles and a reclamation system. Most have some method of drying, which may be a heat gun or heating system as part of the machine. During the cleaning process, the dirty parts are placed in baskets and immersed into the cleaning liquid, which is usually around 110 degrees F, but varies depending on the parts material. Sound vibrations agitate the liquid for several minutes. It is at this time that the shock waves clean the parts through a scrubbing action. The parts are rinsed with water or a solvent and dried, leaving a clean product with no streaks or fingerprints.