Posts Tagged ‘ultrasonic cleaner’
Ultrasonic Solution Selection Guidelines
“Solution” has two definitions: A liquid mixture and solving a problem.
Not coincidentally, two points apply when seeking desired ultrasonic parts cleaner solution for parts cleaning results. These are (1) a liquid mixture called an ultrasonic solution, chemical or soap, and (2) the ultrasonic parts cleaner equipment. Putting it another way, satisfactory ultrasonic solution results most likely occur when you select chemicals and equipment to solve the problem – the cleaning job – at hand.
These ultrasonic solution guidelines take you through the two points.
The Ultrasonic Solution as a Chemical
These are specially formulated to accomplish specific ultrasonic cleaning challenges.
Most ultrasonic solutions are available as concentrates and are biodegradable. These two features contribute to economy and reduce disposal concerns.
Regardless of the chemistry, an ultrasonic solution works by a process called cavitation. Details are found in our post Ultrasonic Cleaner Uses in … Read the rest
Ultrasonic Parts Cleaner Specification Tips
According to a Grand View Research report the growth in the ultrasonic parts cleaner market “is primarily attributed to the rising demand for precision cleaning within sectors like electronics, healthcare, and automotive manufacturing.” This is due to ultrasonic parts cleaning’s “capacity to deliver a comprehensive and consistent cleaning process that effectively removes contaminants, even from intricate and challenging-to-reach areas.”
Two Key Components of Ultrasonic Parts Cleaning
But first, if you are not familiar with ultrasonic cleaning we suggest you take a few minutes and review our post on how ultrasonic cleaners work.
When specifying an ultrasonic parts cleaner two considerations apply: The ultrasonic cleaning unit and the cleaning solution chemistry. This post covers both topics.
Specification Tips for an Ultrasonic Parts Cleaner
Ultrasonic cleaners are available in various cleaning tank capacities and dimensions. You’ll need to accommodate the largest parts you’ll be cleaning. Keep in mind that your parts must be completely immersed in … Read the rest
The Role of Sonicator Baths in Sample Preparation
Sonicator baths are often employed for sample preparation steps in research and development activities. For example, a sonicator bath may be used to extract an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) from its carrier, or excipient, prior to conducting content uniformity and potency assay tests. Many USP monographs recommend using a sonicator bath to dissolve samples prior to analysis.
As noted in Chapter 8 of Optimization of Pharmaceutical Processes, “A growing need for developing novel technologies for obtaining better quality products with enhanced process efficiency has created promise for application of ultrasound in the area of food and pharmaceutical processing.”
The chapter “offers discussion on the governing mechanisms for the improvement based on the use of ultrasound, different ultrasonic reactor configurations, as well as the selection of operating conditions for the specific applications of encapsulation and crystallization.”
In chapter 2 of Sample Preparation of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, discussing agitation and … Read the rest
Two Practical Solutions to Clean Lab Sieves
Cleaning fine mesh particle analysis lab sieves becomes more difficult as mesh size decreases, making it more likely that particles become trapped in fine sieve openings. Manual cleaning test sieves has drawbacks including potential damage to the mesh and failure to achieve 100% particle removal. Here are two practical solutions to clean lab sieves as well as perform other important functions in food and pharmaceutical research facilities.
Lab Sieve Cleaning Solution No. 1
One way to solve the problem is by combining the 7.5-gallon Elmasonic EP300H ultrasonic cleaner with the Elma SRH 4/200 sieve rotation holder.
Ultrasonic cavitation produced by the Elmasonic EP300 H creates billions of minute vacuum bubbles. These implode vigorously against the surfaces of objects being cleaned to quickly and safely dislodge contaminants.
The unit operates at 37 kHz ultrasonic frequency. Features include a heater (30⁰ – 80⁰C) and a timer (1 … Read the rest
5 Key Points to Selecting the Correct Ultrasonic Cleaner Size
Ultrasonic parts cleaners are manufactured in a tremendous variety of sizes. By “size” we mean the dimensions and capacities of tanks in which ultrasonic parts cleaning is accomplished. For example the Elmasonic E Plus series is offered in 9 tank capacities from 0.25 to 7.5 gallons and the Select Series in 11 capacities from 0.7 to 23 gallons. Industrial-sized units such as SHIRACLEAN can hold 100 gallons or more. This post will help you select the correct ultrasonic parts cleaner size.
Five Points to Selecting your Ultrasonic Parts Cleaner Size
Here are the key points to consider:
- Parts you are cleaning
- Cleaning tank dimensions
- The importance of “working depth”
- The role of cleaning baskets
- Cleaning solution volume and service volume
1. What Parts are you Cleaning?
Ultrasonic parts cleaning has proved a very effective and economical way to remove all types of contaminants from nearly anything that can be safely … Read the rest
How to Safely Use a Solvent Cleaner
As described in Chapter 3 of the Adhesives Technology Handbook*, “solvent cleaning is the process of removing soil from a surface with an organic solvent without physically or chemically altering the material being cleaned. This includes methods such as vapor degreasing, spraying, immersion, and mechanical or ultrasonic scrubbing.” This post describes how to safely use a volatile solvent cleaner with a low flash point.
Solvent Cleaner Flash Points
Solvent cleaners have different flashpoints. In chemistry, the flash point of a volatile material is the lowest temperature at which its vapors ignite if given an ignition source. In brief, the lower the flashpoint the more flammable they are. This is important when using a solvent cleaner.
The American Chemical Society publishes a table of common organic solvents that includes flash points. Examples of low flash point volatile solvents are 1-propanol at 59⁰F (15⁰C), acetone at -4⁰F (-20⁰C) and toluene at 39⁰F (4⁰C). … Read the rest
How to Use an Ultrasonic Cleaner in Your Hair Salon
Some states are adopting regulations requiring ultrasonic cleaning and sanitizing of tools used in hair salons and cosmetology salons. New Jersey, for example, requires a designated area for cleaning and disinfecting implements and tools, an ultrasonic cleaner for metal implements and tools, a clean, closed receptacle at each work station so soiled implements and tools can be completely immersed in an enzyme solution prior to cleaning and disinfection, and a clean, closed receptacle for storage of sanitized implements and tools at each work station.
Nothing surpasses an ultrasonic cleaner for removing dirt and contaminants from any equipment that can be safely immersed in water. Healthcare facilities have long relied on ultrasonic cleaners to remove blood and tissue from surgical instruments prior to disinfecting and sterilizing. A compact ultrasonic cleaner such as Elma’sE30H model available from Tovatech easily fits on a bench or tabletop in a designated cleaning area in a … Read the rest
Maximize Performance of your Ultrasonic Bath
If you have invested in an ultrasonic bath you have an appreciation of how these units contribute to fast, safe and efficient removal of contaminants from virtually any product that can be safely wetted in a biodegradable ultrasonic bath. In this post we provide recommendations on maximizing the performance of your ultrasonic bath, thereby contributing to the efficiency of your ultrasonic cleaning operations.
Points covered include:
- Selecting the correct cleaning bath chemistry
- Cleaning time and cleaning temperature
- Tips on extending the effective life of ultrasonic baths
Ultrasonic Cleaning Bath Chemistry
There is a wide variety of formulations available to support ultrasonic cleaning operations. Some manufacturers term these ultrasonic cleaning solutions, others use an overall category called soaps. One can’t argue with that because using soaps conjures up images of cleaning, whether in the car wash, clothes washer or shower.
Regardless of nomenclature, these formulations are designed to perform specific cleaning … Read the rest
How to Select Ultrasonic Cleaner Accessories
Think of selecting ultrasonic cleaner accessories as though you are buying a new car. You have the choice of standard equipment and equipment or features that are “optional at extra cost.”
The “options” largely depend on the ultrasonic cleaner manufacturer. This is why it is important for you to have a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish in your ultrasonic cleaning process. Our post on ultrasonic cleaner application ideas provides a good tutorial on this.
This post is designed to help you select ultrasonic cleaning accessories that are either required to help you quickly and successfully accomplish your ultrasonic cleaning tasks or simply “nice to have.”
Similarly this post does not go into detail on selecting a specific ultrasonic cleaner. That is generally based on the size of your operations and what you intend to do with the equipment. We cover this topic in … Read the rest
Solving Tough Cleaning Challenges with Ultrasonic Cleaning
According to a report available from market research firm IBIS World, “in 2016, the ultrasonic cleaning equipment manufacturing industry is expected to generate $359.6 million in revenue,” and, “over the five years to 2016, industry revenue increased at an annualized rate of 1.8%, including an expected 3.7% rise in 2016.”*
At Tovatech we believe that this positive projection is due in part to the continuing and growing realization that tough cleaning challenges can be overcome with ultrasonic energy. Many of our posts go into detail on the use of ultrasonic energy to solve cleaning challenges. We present here a compendium of applications that may or may not be top of mind to folks grappling with difficult cleaning challenges.… Read the rest
