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CTG would like to congratulate all the employees from Ransohoff who celebrated a birthday in September and October!
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The cleaning of parts is a comprehensive process, which typically includes three key steps: washing, rinsing, and drying. Many people don't realize that the options available for each of these steps are as diverse as the parts involved. It is important to select the right technologies suited to the part for each phase of the parts cleaning process.
It may be difficult to discern the individual steps in some applications due to overlap, however the following provides a breakdown of each step:
Washing
The dissolution or displacement of contamination from parts happens during the washing phase. In most cases this is accomplished through the use of water mixed with a specialized chemical formula or a solvent. In some applications, washing may by a multi-step process, depending on the contaminants involved. In the case of heavy contaminant load, a pre-clean step and a second cleaning cycle may be required to complete the washing process. No matter what methods are used, at the end of the washing step, all contaminants should be completely removed from the parts and separated from the parts to the greatest extent possible.
Rinsing
Blackstone-NEY Ultrasonic exhibited the GMC 3523 at the SEMA show in the Safety-Kleen Booth. Some of the celebrities that were in the booth included Graveyard Carz and Richard Petty. Stop by the booth and see who shows up next!
Advanced technologies require an extremely high degree of component cleanliness. Ultrasonic technology has provided a highly effective solution to meeting precision cleaning needs. Cutting edge ultrasonic cleaning technologies are used in the most demanding OEM markets to remove sub-micron particles from components used in electronics, medical devices, and other critical applications.
Ultrasonic Waves
Understanding ultrasonic cleaning begins with looking at the science behind it. The vibration of an object causes sound waves that make the air molecules around the object vibrate. When those vibrations travel through the air they cause vibrations in the human ear, which the brain interprets as sound. Sound waves transmitted at 20,000 Hz or higher are considered ultrasonic waves. These vibrations are rapid enough to create a pitch so high it cannot be heard by the human ear. In nature, certain animals are able to perceive ultrasonic waves and use them to communicate.
Ultrasonic Cleaning
In terms of technology, it has been discovered that ultrasonic waves can be used for highly effective, chemical-free cleaning. Ultrasonic waves are created by a high-frequency electronic generator and transmitted through water in a tank specially engineered for parts cleaning. Alternating waves of expansion and compression occur within the water. The water is actually torn apart during the expansion phase to create cavitation bubbles, which do the actual ultrasonic cleaning work.
Cavitation Bubbles
Replacement of a parts cleaning system is not always required to improve results and efficiency. Often times accessing an existing system can reveal ways to recondition it to achieve better performance and greater efficiency. Reconditioning is also a great option for expanding or enhancing the capabilities of existing equipment to accommodate new parts or an increasing volume of parts.
Here are 10 ways to recondition a parts cleaning system:
Ultrasonic cleaning equipment has emerged to be an efficient and environmentally sound solution for challenging parts cleaning applications.
Solvent degreasing with Sodium Hydroxide is widely used as an efficient solution for parts washing. More environmentally-friendly water-based substitutes such as aqueous degreasers, citrus degreasers, and petroleum based chemistries have been introduced, however they can be less effective and may not perform adequately in some applications. Ultrasonic energy provides a mechanical energy boost when used with these solutions to assure the necessary levels of cleanliness. Ultrasonic cleaning equipment is now used extensively in critical cleaning applications to both speed up and enhance the cleaning effect of alternative chemistries.
Ultrasonic cleaning equipment is available in a wide range of configurations to suit a variety of application needs. Options include individual ultrasonic tanks, multi-tank ultrasonic cleaning systems, as well as single piece flow-through ultrasonic conveyor systems. Leading developers of ultrasonic parts cleaning equipment offer pre-engineered platforms in a variety of tank sizes and configurations to accommodate a customized approach to meeting the most widely needed customer specifications.
When an industrial manufacturer considers ways to optimize efficiency they will consider many aspects of their operation, from component fabrication to quality control. One important area that should not be overlooked is the parts washing process. Parts washing may not get much consideration if the system in place is doing enough to get by. Unfortunately this approach ignores a great deal of potential waste in terms of efficiency.
Whether you shopping for a new industrial parts washer or considering the replacement of an existing parts cleaning system, here are six things you should be looking for to promote efficiency:
1. Parts washer effectively removes contaminants from parts
Your parts cleaning system should get the job done in one cycle. If your system is old or not well-suited to your application you may think what you have is as good as it gets. That is not true. There are many washer options available to suit a wide range of needs.
2. Parts washer system doesn’t cause degradation of part surfaces
Your washing process should only remove dirt and contaminants. A system or cleaning solution that is too harsh or abrasive may actually cause part damage. It is not necessary to sacrifice surface quality in order to obtain thorough cleaning. With the many cleaning options available, parts surface damage should never be acceptable.
3. Parts cleaning equipment investment and usage costs meet budget needs
No matter what your industry, success in today's competitive market depends on increased productivity and efficiency. This means examining all phases of your operation, including parts cleaning. Is the wrong parts cleaning process costing your bottom line? It may be time to invest in new parts cleaning equipment - be sure to invest the right way.
Investing in new parts cleaning equipment begins with gaining a thorough understanding of your parts cleaning needs. It is highly beneficial to have an energy audit performed to see where your current parts washing system could be doing better. Can cycle time be improved or energy consumption be reduced? These are questions that will help you determine how you can improve your parts washing process and what parts cleaning systems will best meet your needs.
Today's industrial parts washing technology includes a broad variety of options, each suited to specific application needs. Options range from aqueous and solvent-based industrial parts washers to vapor degreasers. Pre-engineered systems and custom designs are available to suit a host of component types and industries.
CTG would like to congratulate all the employees from Ransohoff who celebrated a birthday in July and August!
Removing various undesirable materials from component parts is a common requirement for many manufacturing processes. An investment in parts cleaning equipment has the potential to pay for itself exponentially in terms of increased output, process efficiency, and product quality. In order to gain the most from your parts cleaning equipment investment, choosing the right system for your new product line is extremely important.
It is important to understand that no specific cleaning method works for every part. There are many dependable parts cleaning options available. Answering the following six questions will help you determine which equipment will be the best choice for your process.
What type of parts do you need to clean?
Your choice of cleaning equipment will depend upon whether the parts are a solid piece or made up of an assembly of components. The types of surfaces - rough, smooth, or textured - should also be considered.
What kind of material is the part made from?
The material or materials parts are made from should be considered. Different types of detergents and parts washers are necessary for the proper cleaning metal, plastic, steel, stainless, cast iron, brass, copper, and other types of materials.
What is the size of the parts to be cleaned?