Written by Rachel Kohn
Ultrasonic cleaning is increasingly being used across a broad spectrum of industries thanks to the advent of biodegradable cleaning solutions and the development of vastly improved ultrasonic cleaning equipment. No other cleaning method is as fast and as efficient as ultrasonic cavitation for removing any and all contaminants from parts or assemblies, regardless of the complexity of configuration.
Ultrasonic cleaners range from small tabletop units for cleaning jewelry and eyewear to custom multi-step automated assembly lines such as used for cleaning mobile thin film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal displays for mass production.
At Tovatech we are delighted to help customers and prospects decide on which ultrasonic cleaner and what ultrasonic cleaning solution best matches their ultrasonic cleaning requirements. With the wide variety of sizes and features available today there is sure to be an ultrasonic cleaner and process that suits users’ requirements to a “T.”
To help make the selection, we need to know in as much detail as possible what is being cleaned and why. To help speed the selection we offer the following guidelines, some of which may not apply to your operation. When you have this information at the ready, we’re better ready to help you through the selection process.
- What are the dimensions of the largest part to be cleaned?
- What exactly is being cleaned? We need to know the composition of the surface to be cleaned.
- What is the nature or composition of the contaminants to be removed?
- Are parts heat-sensitive? If so please explain.
- How will the parts be cleaned? Singly in baskets, stacked in baskets, placed on a special rack or hanger or other (please describe).
- Is cleaning done continuously or periodically in batches?
- Is there any reason why an aqueous cleaning solution cannot be used? If so please explain.
- If the parts must be dried after cleaning, what is the allowed drying temperature?
- Will parts be put into a production step (i.e. partial assembly) prior to cleaning or after cleaning?
- Is or will the process be automated?
- Are there post-cleaning steps for this application such as plating or painting?
- What is your target throughput in parts or baskets per day?
- Are there space limitations for the cleaner? If so please advise the area available.
When you’ve put this together please give us a call at 973 913-9734. Our staff of engineers is ready to help you select the ultrasonic cleaner and process that solves your cleaning problem.
Written by Bob Sandor
Grinding dust, metal shavings, polishes, lubricants, powder residues and coolant residues are part and parcel to the operation of metalworking and machine shops, but must be removed before parts pass to further processing steps such as the coating line or for electroplating. By putting an ultrasonic cleaner to work, machine shop owners no longer have to spend hours soaking then scrubbing these parts using potentially dangerous solvents.
An ultrasonic cleaner tank containing a biodegradable ultrasonic cleaning solution along with a rust inhibitor is the fastest and safest method to thoroughly clean stamped, cast and machined parts because, unlike manual methods, the cleaning action penetrates any surface that can be reached by the solution.
Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Bob Sandor
Equipment used in law enforcement applications must be maintained for the health and safety of officers as well as suspects taken into custody. Because of its speed and thoroughness an ultrasonic cleaner is a valuable equipment maintenance tool for police stations and highway patrol barracks.
One piece of equipment used by virtually all law enforcement officers is a set of handcuffs. Handcuffs come into direct contact with the skin of suspects and can pick up oils, dirt and hair that might harbor infectious diseases. Handcuff construction is such that these contaminants can lodge in cracks and crevices, which means that a simple washing is unsatisfactory. Cuffs should be given a session in an ultrasonic cleaner before officers put them back into their carrying cases.
Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Rachel Kohn
Newly manufactured printed circuit boards (PCBs) must be cleaned to remove excess solder, rosins and other contaminants before placed into use. An ultrasonic cleaner is by far the fastest and most efficient method to safely clean these components when proper procedures are applied.
With trichloroethylene no longer available for cleaning PCBs, a substantial amount of posted information relates to cleaning, soaking and scrubbing using high purity alcohol, flux removal sprays and special biodegradable solvents. These manual processes are time consuming, could damage delicate components, can be environmentally unfriendly, and there is no guarantee that contaminants have been completely removed from complex PCB configurations. An ultrasonic cleaner such as the Elmasonic S series available from Tovatech is the practical answer to producing thoroughly clean high performance PCBs.
Read the rest of this entry »
