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How does the ultrasonic cleaning process work?
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Ultrasonic cleaning works by introducing energy into a tank containing the cleaning solution. This energy causes minute bubbles to form and collapse within the solution, this action being called cavitation. The cavitation leads to a very gentle but highly effective scrubbing action on the component surface that loosens the contaminant.
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A Microsolve ultrasonic cosolvent cleaning system with Autotrans automation.
Once the Autotrans has lowered the basket into the tank, ultrasonic cleaning begins. |
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Why should I consider using ultrasonics? |
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Ultrasonics offers a rapid and highly effective method of precision cleaning components to a very high standard. Manual cleaning or spray wash methods may struggle with blind holes, tube internals or difficult to reach crevices but these problems are easily dealt with when ultrasonics are used.
Dependent upon the application, better cleaning standards can also offer further benefits of improved quality and reduced costs.
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How do I choose between ultrasonic cleaning and spray wash?
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Aqueous spray washers are excellent for a wide variety of cleaning applications. Both stand-alone basket washers and conveyorised multi-stage equipment (incorporating rinse and dry sections if required) can often
achieve rapid throughput plus high standards of cleanliness. In certain
cases, heavy soils are better dealt with by spray washing, due to the impact of the pumped cleaning solution through the wash jets.
In other instances, spray washing and ultrasonic cleaning may both achieve the required cleanliness standard and throughput requirements, so the choice may be one of cost or preference.
However, there are applications where ultrasonic cleaning offers a clear advantage over spray washing. Examples include the following:
- Components with deep, blind holes or complex geometries
- Tubular components
- Delicate or lightweight components that could be susceptible to damage
- Achieving sub micron cleanliness standards or cleanliness levels measured in parts per billion (ppb)
To help you find out which process may be most suited to your application, we offer a free of charge evaluation service. Our demonstration facilities at Skipton have a wide selection of both spray wash and ultrasonic cleaning machines and we can perform cleaning trials on your own components to establish the
optimum process.
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Q.
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We need a solvent cleaning system - how can I be sure we don't fall foul of the Solvent Emissions Directive?
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Guyson 'Kerry' Microsolve precision cleaners are designed to use new, low-toxicity solvents with zero OPD (Ozone Depletion Potential). Plus, both our Microsolve ranges, Co-solvent and Mono-solvent, have extremely effective solvent retention features. These systems, correctly used with hydrofluoroethers (3MTM NovecTM HFE) or hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are fully compliant with the SED.
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I'm cleaning with trichloroethylene (trich, or trike) and I'm not sure how much longer I can continue. Can you help?
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Solvent Emissions Directive legislation is complex, but we can advise you on how the regulations apply to your company, and on timescales for compliance if relevant. You will need to let us know much solvent you are using and the eventual use of the items being cleaned.
It is worth bearing in mind too that
the price of trichloroethylene is continuing to increase, and some users are experiencing problems with suppliers who are limiting or refusing supplies to customers with greedy open top tank systems.
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Our "Trike Replacement Guide" offers a variety of strategies for replacement of trichloroethylene, open top or other problematic solvent cleaning systems. The guide covers aqueous as well as safe solvent systems, spray wash, and ultrasonics. For your copy, please call us on +44 (0)1756 799911
or email info@guyson.co.uk.
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Q.
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We would like to switch to cleaning with solvents but won't it be expensive?
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The new solvents referred to above are certainly more expensive per litre than the older products. However, those solvent retention features which help make Microsolve systems SED-compliant (ie safe for operators and environmentally acceptable) also mean that little solvent is lost to the atmosphere or carried out on components, making the equipment extremely cost-effective in use.
Our Microsolve systems can be fitted with a solvent top-up and monitoring device which allows users to check consumption: 3 litres of HFE (hydrofluoroether) per 40-hour week is typical usage for a
Co-solvent 350 system.
Case histories in News Archives illustrate this - see for instance
Monitoring system ensures minimal solvent loss, or Ultrasonic solvent cleaner saves BAe £7,000 a year.
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I have an old Kerry system. Can Guyson service it for me?
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Most probably, yes. Guyson's Kerry ultrasonic customers in England, Scotland and Wales continue to be supported by experienced local service engineers. Elsewhere in the world service is normally provided by our network of distributors, or by Guyson subsidiaries in Paris, France; Saratoga Springs, New York State, USA; Penang, Malaysia; and Wuxi, China.
For a speedy answer, please email us at service@guyson.co.uk, including if possible the serial number of your machine as well as its name/description.
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Do you still supply Kerry plastics assembly equipment?
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No - when Kerry Ultrasonics was acquired by Guyson International Ltd, the plastics assembly division was transferred to Sonics & Materials UK Ltd. Enquiries about plastics assembly equipment should be directed to
Mr Malcolm Hayward, Sonics & Materials UK Ltd, tel 01449 770055, email sales@sonicsandmaterials.co.uk.
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