Posts Tagged ‘Models and features’

Most of our posts on ultrasonic cleaning describe the role of ultrasonic transducers in producing cavitation in the cleaning solution.  We thought it would be a good idea to provide a short tutorial on ultrasonic transducer design configurations.

What Transducers do:

Ultrasonic transducers turn electrical energy into mechanical energy measured in thousands of cycles per second (kHz).  Benchtop ultrasonic cleaners have transducers bonded to the outside of the bottom and/or sides of the cleaning tank and connected to the unit’s ultrasonic generator.  Mechanical energy passes through the tank material – typically stainless steel – to create cavitation bubbles that do the cleaning.  Here we’ll briefly describe the types available and variations on those types.

The Piezoelectric Transducer

The term is derived from the Greek piezo, meaning to squeeze or press and electron, standing for amber, which is ancient source of electrical charge.  As described in Wikipedia, … Read the rest

In addition to using the correct temperature and cleaning solution formulation, achieving optimum results in an ultrasonic cleaning operation calls for a correct “blend” of ultrasonic power, ultrasonic frequency and cleaning time.  Absent a proven recipe the three ingredients often are established through experimentation using ultrasonic cleaners that provide the flexibility to vary power, frequency and time.

Indeed, it may turn out that a fixed frequency and fixed power setting do not deliver the desired results.  Adjustable power and adjustable frequencies may be the key to optimized cleaning action thereby reducing the time needed to complete jobs and improve operation efficiency.

A Brief Brief on Ultrasonic Power and Frequency

Power in this post is defined as the electrical energy in watts per gallon of cleaning solution delivered to the transducers that provide cavitation action in the cleaner.  More power generally means faster cleaning but only to a point, beyond which … Read the rest

Ultrasonic cleaners are used in applications as diverse as jewelry shops, hospital central service supply departments, auto repair shops and PCB repair.  They are preferred over manual scrubbing with brushes and solvents because of their thorough cleaning action and ability to reach surfaces inaccessible by any other cleaning method.  Biodegradable ultrasonic cleaning solutions are also more environmentally friendly than aerosol sprays and solvents.

The contaminant-removing power of ultrasonic cavitation – the implosion of millions of minute bubbles against surfaces being cleaned – can be substantially improved by introducing two mechanical means called oscillation (also known as agitation) and rotation to the cleaning cycle.  We’ll look at these two techniques separately although in some equipment they can be combined.

What is Oscillation?

Our friends at Wikipedia define oscillation as “the repetitive variation, typically in time, of some measure about a central value (often a point of equilibrium) … Read the rest

Here at Tovatech we get many questions on selecting correct ultrasonic cleaners and ultrasonic cleaning solutions.  Sometimes overlooked by customers and prospects is the importance of rinsing the products after they emerge from the ultrasonic cleaning bath.  In fact, in many instances, especially with precision or delicate products, ultrasonic rinsing is just as important as the cleaning operation itself.

Why Consider Ultrasonic Rinsing?

Well, maybe you don’t have to.  Certain parts such as carburetors or oil pumps may not be affected by the small amounts of cleaning solution residue that remains when they are removed from biodegradable water-based ultrasonic cleaner baths.

At the other extreme surgical instruments, PCBs and similar high-precision products must be thoroughly rinsed for sanitary and performance reasons.   In a sentence, the standards that apply to the cleanliness of the product will guide the selection of your rinsing procedures.

Fortunately a variety of rinsing options are available. … Read the rest