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 … 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
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
When to Use an Industrial Steam Jet Cleaner
A compact steam jet cleaner can be an excellent solution for chemical-free and environmentally friendly removal of deposits such as oil, lubricants, polishing pastes, waxes, chips and filings from cast, machined and other fabricated parts. High temperatures and pressures produced by an industrial steam cleaner remove contaminants from tight spaces such as threaded blind holes, and precision machined and cut gears faster and more thoroughly than hand cleaning, leaving surfaces residue free. Another benefit of steam cleaning is reduced disposal costs for removed contaminants.
Where higher levels of cleanliness are required a steam jet cleaner can be used to prepare parts for an ultrasonic cleaning cycle. Pre-cleaning parts with steam has the added benefit of reducing contaminant build-up in ultrasonic cleaning solutions.
At the end of the cleaning job the cleaner can be used for rinsing. The advantage is that steam is free of minerals and chemical agents; thus … Read the rest
Sonic Cleaning Solves 3D Printing Mold Support Challenge
3D printing, also called fused deposition modeling and fused filament fabrication, has revolutionized and lowered the cost of traditional molding techniques such as the lost wax process. By using two moldable thermoplastic formulations such as ABS for the part itself and PLA for removable mold supports 3-D printing is capable of quickly producing highly complex configurations.
A key to the efficiency of the process is fast, safe removal of the PLA mold support without risking damage to the ABS part. An ultrasonic cleaner is proven far faster, safer and more effective than water sprays or manual scrubbing.
3-D Printing in Brief
Computer aided design files for components are programmed into the 3D printer which uses thermoplastic filaments to create components by successively building up extremely thin layers of plastic. The ABS filament ends up as the product; the PLA filament, deposited at the same time, serves as a support for … Read the rest
Powerful Lab Sonicator Speeds Sample Prep in Pharma Research
Ultrasonic cavitation is often employed for sample preparation in pharmaceutical labs. High ultrasonic power density is ideal for these applications because it accomplishes the job quickly. This minimizes cavitation induced heat buildup that can cause chemical degradation of samples.
Sample prep is generally accomplished by suspending sample flasks in ultrasonic cleaners containing water and a surfactant. Cavitation generated by ultrasonic transducers passes through the flask walls to act on the sample.
Most equipment used in this application handles several flasks at once for production-scale operations. An alternative design has proved especially efficient by speeding up the sample prep process in pharmaceutical research laboratories. The secret is in the design.
Elma’s S50R Lab Sonicator for Sample Prep
The 0.75 gallon to 1.5 gallon capacity 37 kHz multifunction Elma S50R laboratory sonicator available from Tovatech … Read the rest