Ultrasonic Cleaner for Laboratory, Industry, Medical, Glass, Plating, Electronics
Ultrasonic Cleaner Technology
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Industrial Cleaning Technology
Appliances Technology
Cleaning media and processes
Cleaning lines and process technology
The cleaning power of ultrasound is based on a secondary
effect created in the liquid: cavitation.
An ultrasonic transducer system produces strong vibrations in
the cleaning liquid. Microscopically small vacuum bubbles
are created. These bubbles implode close by the surfaces
of the items that are being cleaned, directing a pressure jet
towards the surface which removes the dirt.
Cavitation research is a relatively new discipline and the
engineers of the Elma research and development department
play an active and leading role.
Highly effective and precisely dimensioned performance
transducer elements are the core of each ultrasonic cleaner unit.
Intelligent generator control systems such as "sweep"
allow an even distribution of the ultrasonic power in the
bath.
With the development of multi-frequency units Elma created a technological masterpiece which has set new
standards for the ultrasonic cleaner business sector throughout
the world.
The multi-frequency technology allows two different
ultrasonic frequencies to be produced by the same
transducer system. With this technology it is possible to
clean sensitive materials at high frequencies and robust pieces
at lower frequencies in the same ultrasonic tank.
The current range of available frequencies is between 25 and 135 kHz. Further assisting difficult cleaning jobs, it is now possible to degas liquids by means of the Elma-developed Degas function. HPLC or any laboratory samples can be degassed quickly and effectively to ensure correct analysis results. There is a broad range of special accessories which rounds off the large Elma product familiy. In the field of industrial production big tasks demand intelligent solutions. Here cleaning lines are used in multiple-shift operation under harsh conditions. And the cleaning lines must be available and operative around the clock. The Elma process laboratory serves as contact between our customers and the engineers. They are competent and reliable in finding effective solutions for the most complicated cleaning tasks in almost any business sector, no matter whether they need robust single units, automatic cleaning lines, or even specialized custom made installations. We are the partners of leading companies in the fields of precision optics, electronics and semiconductor industries, as well as medicine, fine mechanics, automotive, nuclear, communication technologies or the environment and space technologies.
Our industrial department offers their services 24 hours per day. With the customer for the customer! This high standard is guaranteed by the Elma ISO certification, which also to fulfills the most stingent demands, in particular those of the medical products legislation.
FAQS
- Which frequency should I use?
- Why aren’t my parts getting as clean as they used to?
- Are organic solvents OK in my ultrasonic cleaner?
- How much ultrasonic power do I need in my tank?
- Can ultrasonics cause damage to hearing? Are there any other effects on the body?
- Will ultrasonic cleaning damage electrical components?
- What is “degassing” and why is it important?
- Why do I need to rinse parts after cleaning?
Q - How do I tell if my ultrasonic cleaner unit is working?
There is no standard for evaluating the performance of an ultrasonic cleaner. The classic "aluminum foil test," removing graphite from a ceramic surface and various hydrophone-type devices are the most commonly used for this purpose. For critical applications and where the expertise is available, an alternative approach is to evaluate the transducer condition by measuring its capacitance and resistance and to monitor the generator power by measuring its input current, input power or output power. If the transducer characteristics are within specifications and if the generator is drawing the correct power from the AC lines or delivering the correct power to the transducers, the probability that the ultrasonic cleaner is working right is very high.
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Q - Which frequency is best for cleaning?
Lower ultrasonic frequency provide larger cavitation bubbles and more intense cavitation implosions. At higher frequencies, the cavitation bubbles are smaller, and although the cavitation implosions are individually less intense there are more of them. Frequencies below 80kHz are used for industrial cleaning and above 80kHz used to clean more delicate parts that require a higher degree of cleanliness.
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Q - Why aren't my parts getting as clean today as they did yesterday?
The simple answer is that something has changed. The change, however, is not always found at the cleaning station. Once temperature, chemical concentration and all other cleaning parameters have been ruled out, the search should proceed back through the manufacturing steps. Common sources of problems include a change in lubricants, manufacturing processes and even raw materials. Cleaning problems may also be caused by clogged filters, mis-directed coolant nozzles and improper machining or finishing practices. A change that is considered inconsequential by manufacturing may result in a huge difference in part cleanability.
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Q - Can I use solvents in my ultrasonic cleaner?
Flammable solvents MUST not be used in any cleaning system not specifically rated for use with them. In the Blackstone-NEY Ultrasonics line, only the model HT-1306 IPA (HT-1306 IPA) is rated for use with flammable solvents and then only in a controlled environment. Other solvents should be used only with extreme caution and ONLY in equipment specifically intended to be used with them. Most solvents require special equipment considerations to cavitate effectively because of their physical characteristics. The use of small amounts of solvent in glass beakers suspended in a water bath in an ultrasonic cleaner is the preferred method of handling any occasional need for small volume solvent cleaning.
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Q - What ever happened to the ultrasonic clothes washing machine?
Considerable research conducted over the past 20 or more years has consistently shown that ultrasonics is effective in aiding the removal of soils from fabrics. The "hangups" are that the fabric must be positioned quite close to a relatively high intensity source of ultrasonic energy and that the process is effective on only one to a few layers of fabric positioned one behind the other. Activation of a large "tub" of water with garments randomly distributed throughout the liquid volume has not been shown effective in improving the laundering process. These factors along with the relatively high cost of ultrasonic equipment have, so far, prevented the economic justification to further explore ultrasonics for clothes washing.
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Q - How much ultrasonic power do I need in my cleaning tank? Can I have too much power?
The amount of ultrasonic energy (usually expressed in watts per gallon) needed for your application depends on the size of the cleaning bath and the difficulty of the cleaning requirement. Tanks in the one to two gallon size range often provide up to 200 watts per gallon of ultrasonic power. Achieving the same cleaning effect in larger tanks requires less energy density. Excellent cleaning has been demonstrated in tanks having 2,000 gallons capacity with only 5 to 7 watts per gallon. The more difficult the application, the greater energy density is required for effective cleaning.
Q - Can ultrasonics cause damage to hearing? Are there any other effects on the body?
Ultrasonic cleaning equipment utilizes high energy sound waves at frequencies above those audible to humans to enhance the chemical and mechanical cleaning effects of liquids. The ultrasonic energy, although high in power, has no measurable impact on human auditory senses. Ultrasound, in fact, is commonly used for imaging of the human body.
Q - What is "degassing" and why is it important?
Degassing is the process of suspended gas bubbles and dissolved gas from a liquid prior to using it for ultrasonic cleaning. Dissolved gas migrates into cavitation bubbles and prevents them from imploding reducing the ultrasonic energy intensity in the tank. The gas acts to cushion the imploding bubble much like an air bag in a car. Liquids should be degassed by raising the temperature, adding the cleaning chemistry and operating the ultrasonic energy for a period of time ranging from 10 to 30 minutes (depending on the size of the tank and the nature and concentration of the chemicals being used) minimum prior to use.
Q - Why do I need to rinse parts after cleaning?
Rinsing is as important as cleaning in many applications and should be given the same attention as cleaning. Rinsing removes residues of the cleaning chemistry and the contaminants it has loosened to leave a part completely free of residue. Further enhancement of rinsing can be realized by adding ultrasonics to the rinse tank(s).