Many ultrasonic generators are configured to operate at one power level – full on. There are occasions, however, when controlling the ultrasonic power is critical to a successful ultrasonic cleaning process. This is especially true when cleaning parts made of relatively soft materials including brass, copper and, in some cases, even aluminum. Other cases requiring …
Rinsing as it applies to aqueous parts cleaning is a final “cleaning” step which removes residues introduced by or resulting from the primary cleaning process. There are several options to choose from when it comes to rinsing. Making the proper selection is very important to the overall cleaning process as the final rinse inevitably defines overall cleanliness. …
In the period immediately following the signing of the Montreal Protocol, virtually every manufacturing facility using solvents for cleaning was faced a critical decision. The three basic options were – Discontinue unnecessary cleaning operations altogether. Upgrade or replace existing solvent-based cleaning systems to reduce solvent emissions. Switch to cleaning using water-based chemistry. Surprisingly, the first option, eliminating …
A dedicated reader has requested that the blog address rinsing in more detail. Rinsing ranks high on the list of process steps that are often not given their due attention in the specification of an overall cleaning process. Many specifications just say “rinse” and nothing more. In fact, rinsing is a secondary cleaning step intended to remove residuals left …
In the blogs about transducers I made a point of telling readers that an ultrasonic transducer must be driven at its resonant frequency to achieve optimum performance. What I didn’t address, however, was the fact that the resonant characteristics of a transducer can be varied by its design. Not only the resonant frequency but the “sharpness” or “Q” …
In an ultrasonic cleaning system, the device that provides the electrical energy to power the ultrasonic transducers is known as the ultrasonic “generator.” Basically, the ultrasonic generator converts electrical energy received from the power line into electrical energy with the proper frequency, voltage and amperage to power or “drive” the ultrasonic transducers. In most cases, …
We all know, basically, what rust is and what causes it. What many don’t know, however, is that rust is unique in its properties. Knowing how to deal with and/or prevent rust is very important in many cleaning applications. The above picture is actually worthy of hanging on a wall as art. In fact, I …
Of the five senses, hearing would probably rank #2 in importance to most people with sight being the most important. I, personally, rank hearing as #1 in importance for me although I won’t get into the details of why that is so. I’ve been exposed to ultrasonic sources for my entire working life and, over the years, have tried …
Most cleaning today is based on aqueous (water based) technology. Wash, rinse and dry cleaning has become the norm. But, for those of you who are new to the cleaning industry and don’t know, Chlorinated and Fluorinated solvents were the cleaning “benchmark” for many years. Virtually every manufacturing facility cleaned something using a vapor degreaser with …
There was an error in the chart showing cavitation bubble size vs. ultrasonic frequency in the blog published on December 14, 2011. The bubble size was incorrect by an order of magnitude. The correction can be seen at Ultrasonics – Number and Size of Cavitation Bubbles I apologize for the error and any mis-understandings it …
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