You may have heard people discussing ultrasonic cleaning and wondered what it is. Most people would guess that it has something to do with sound, given the name, but how does that clean and why would you choose to use it?
Ultrasonic Method
Ultrasonic cleaning is defined by the British Damage Management Association as ‘Removal of residues by an immersion process in which electronically induced cavitations greatly enhance the effectiveness of a solvent or detergent.
In layperson’s terms, this means that companies who use Anilox cleaning equipment supplied by specialists such as https://www.caresonic.com/, place items to be cleaned into a bath that contains a specialist cleaning solution. The type of solution varies depending on what is being cleaned and what is being removed. It may need a detergent to break down grease, for example, or a solvent to remove gummy residues.
When looking to clean an item, it is usually placed inside a basket which is lowered into a bath containing the right solvent. The cleaning equipment then creates vibrations at high frequency, which in turn creates bubbles in the cleaning solution. These microscopic bubbles then burst, creating a vacuum. The movement this creates dislodges dirt and debris from the surface.
When Would You Choose Ultrasonic?
Ultrasonic cleaners are exceptionally good at cleaning out narrow spaces as the tiny bubbles can make their way into gaps and spaces that manual cleaning, by brush for example, couldn’t reach. They’re also useful in addressing hard to remove debris and coatings, including grease, flux, and polishing compounds. You can safely clean most surfaces this way, including metal, ceramic, glass, rubber and some hard plastics.
These cleaners have a wide range of uses, including in laboratories, for cleaning mechanical parts, musical instruments, and dental and surgical instruments.
What to Look For in a Cleaner
With ultrasonic cleaners, frequency is everything. The higher the frequency of a cleaning machine, the more effective the cleaner. You should discuss with your contractor which level of cleaning is best for your equipment. Keep in mind, however, that not everything can be safely cleaned. Thin membranes, for example, those found in some printheads, can be destroyed in the process.
You will also need to find a supplier of equipment or a cleaning company that really understands what you need cleaned and how best to go about it to ensure that you get the high quality results you need.