Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems

Cleaning components and materials to remove surface contaminants is an operation essential to many industries. The requirement may arise because of environmental pollution or the deliberate application of materials as part of a production process or an inspection procedure e.g. lubricants or residual ink following penetrant/magnetic particle inspection.

Cleaning may be achieved by the use of solvents but in many instances, especially for geometrically complex components, this method is either time consuming, or inadequate. In such cases, huge benefits result from combining the chemical action of a solvent with ultrasonic agitation. This technique is well established and widely used in activities as diverse as the medical field, aerospace and general engineering.

Ultrasonic cleaning is based on the principle of producing cavitation in a liquid solvent in which the component to be cleaned is immersed. Large quantities of tiny bubbles are created in the solvent (cavitation) by high intensity compression waves. The collapsing pressure of the bubbles forces them into crevices where the fluid penetrates between contamination and the work piece surface. This action forces the contaminant off the work piece leaving it totally clean. The frequency of the ultrasonic waves is 30-40KHz (Euro standard) although higher frequencies may sometimes be used.

Baugh & Weedon NDT offers a full range of cleaning equipment some examples of which are illustrated below. Cleaners are available as static solvent or ultrasonic types and we would be pleased to discuss your application with you. Please contact us for further information.