How to Choose Your Next Ultrasonic Cleaner – A Checklist
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.
