Summary Outline
Parts Washers in General
Can you provide a Life Cycle Cost estimate with your washer proposal?
Are you willing to test my parts and provide me with the results prior to my order
placement?
Do you offer service contracts for maintaining my parts washer?
How quickly can I expect a return call from your service department if I experience
a problem with my washer?
How big is a micron?
Will high pressure water remove a burr from my part? (link to high pressure deburr
page)
How can I determine how clean my parts are? (link to tech center page)
How do I know when to use spray, immersion or ultrasonic cleaning technologies?
Ultrasonic Cleaning
How do I tell if my ultrasonic cleaner is working right?
Which frequency is best for cleaning?
Why aren’t my parts getting as clean today as they did yesterday?
Can I use solvents in my ultrasonic cleaner?
What ever happened to the ultrasonic clothes washing machine?
How much ultrasonic power do I need in my cleaning tank? Can I have too much
power?
Can ultrasonics cause damage to hearing? Are there any other effects on the body?
Which is better, Magnetostrictive or Piezoelectric transducers?
Will ultrasonic cleaning damage electrical components?
What is “degassing” and why is it important?
Why do I need to rinse parts after cleaning?
Oil Removal & Filtration
What is the best way for me to remove non-soluble oils from my washer bath?
What product can I use to recycle the oil and cleaner from my wash solution?
Is the micron rating on a filter bag or cartridge truly the maximum size particle
that can pass through its media?
Q- Can you provide a Life Cycle Cost estimate with your washer
proposal?
Any washer proposal that we prepare can be provided with a LCC Analysis at no cost.
Q - Are you willing to test my parts and provide me with the
results prior to my order placement?
We would prefer that you allow us the opportunity to test actual production parts prior
to placing an order. This gives us a chance to prove our process and give you piece of
mind that you are making an educated purchase. You will be provided with a formal
test report summarizing the exact process and test parameters used. We also take this
opportunity to review the makeup of your waste stream to determine if recycling your
cleaning solution and possibly your cutting fluids using one of our ultrafiltration
systems is possible.
Q- Do you offer service contracts for maintaining my parts
washers? How about energy audits?
We do offer service contracts for maintaining one or multiple parts washers in your
facility. Keep in mind that it is not necessary that they are Ransohoff or Blackstone-
NEY washers. We routinely provide rebuild and retool services for our competitor’s
machines. Energy audits are available and highly recommended as there are many low
cost ways to reduce energy consumption by your parts washers.
Q- How quickly can I expect a return call from your service
department if I experience a problem with my CTG washer?
We have service teams available around the clock in both North American and Asia.
You can expect a return call usually within a few hours and, in most cases, corrective
action with 24 hours. As we always build from our platform products, parts are readily
available.
Q- How large is a micron?
(Popup window of Micron.jpg image that was provided with the tech center content)
Q- Will high pressure water remove a burr from my part?
(link to high pressure deburr page describing lead pencil test)
Q-How can I determine how clean my parts are?
(link to http://www.ctgclean.com/devsite/process-development.php)
Q- How do I know when to use spray, immersion or ultrasonic
cleaning technologies?
Fill out a request for application support and let us determine what is needed to meet
your expectations. Click here- http://www.ctgclean.com/devsite/request-application-
support.php
Q - How do I tell if my ultrasonic cleaner is working right?
There is no universally accepted standard for evaluating the performance of an ultrasonic
cleaner. Several methods are available which will detect day to day variations in relative
ultrasonic intensity. The classic "aluminum foil test," removing graphite from a ceramic
surface and various hydrophone-type devices are the most commonly used for this
purpose. When using any of these, it is important to duplicate conditions as closely as
possible to assure that any change indicates a true variation in the ultrasonic performance
and is not related to a change in temperature, soil loading, chemical concentration or any
of several other variables. For critical applications and where the expertise is available, an
alternative approach is to evaluate the transducer condition by measuring its capacitance
and resistance and to monitor the generator power by measuring its input current, input
power or output power. If the transducer characteristics are within specifications and if the
generator is drawing the correct power from the AC lines or delivering the correct power
to the transducers, the probability that the ultrasonic cleaner is working right is very high.
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Q - Which frequency is best for cleaning?
Different cleaning requirements require different ultrasonic frequencies. Lower ultrasonic
frequency means larger cavitation bubbles and more intense cavitation implosions. At
higher frequencies, the cavitation bubbles are smaller, and although the cavitation
implosions are individually less intense there are more of them. Frequencies below 80 kHz
are commonly used for industrial cleaning applications where contaminants are relatively
heavy and the parts being cleaned are robust. Frequencies above 80 kHz are more
frequently used to clean more delicate parts that require a higher degree of cleanliness.
Multiple frequency ultrasonics is indicated when a wide range of particle sizes and types
need to be removed for the highest degree of cleanliness. Refer to the papers entitled
"Designer Waveforms" and "Ideal Parameters" in the Technical Information section of this
website for additional information.
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Q - Why aren't my parts getting as clean today as they did
yesterday?
The simple answer is that something has changed. The change, however, is not always
found at the cleaning station. Once temperature, chemical concentration and all other
cleaning parameters have been ruled out, the search should proceed back through the
manufacturing steps. Common sources of problems include a change in lubricants,
manufacturing processes and even raw materials. Cleaning problems may also be caused
by clogged filters, misdirected coolant nozzles and improper machining or finishing
practices. A change that is considered inconsequential by manufacturing may result in a
huge difference in part cleanability.
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Q - Can I use solvents in my ultrasonic cleaner?
Flammable solvents MUST not be used in any cleaning system not specifically rated for
use with them. In the Blackstone-NEY Ultrasonics line, only the model HT-1306 IPA (HT-
1306 IPA) is rated for use with flammable solvents and then only in a controlled
environment. Other solvents should be used only with extreme caution and ONLY in
equipment specifically intended to be used with them. Most solvents require special
equipment considerations to cavitate effectively because of their physical characteristics.
The use of small amounts of solvent in glass beakers suspended in a water bath in an
ultrasonic cleaner is the preferred method of handling any occasional need for small
volume solvent cleaning.
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Q - What ever happened to the ultrasonic clothes washing
machine?
Considerable research conducted over the past 20 or more years has consistently shown
that ultrasonics is effective in aiding the removal of soils from fabrics. The "hangups" are
that the fabric must be positioned quite close to a relatively high intensity source of
ultrasonic energy and that the process is effective on only one to a few layers of fabric
positioned one behind the other. Activation of a large "tub" of water with garments
randomly distributed throughout the liquid volume has not been shown effective in
improving the laundering process. These factors along with the relatively high cost of
ultrasonic equipment have, so far, prevented the economic justification to further explore
ultrasonics for clothes washing.
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Q - How much ultrasonic power do I need in my cleaning tank? Can
I have too much power?
The right amount of ultrasonic energy (usually expressed in watts per gallon) depends on
the size of the cleaning bath and the difficulty of the cleaning requirement. Tanks in the
one to two gallon size range often provide up to 200 watts per gallon of ultrasonic power.
Achieving the same cleaning effect in larger tanks requires less energy density. Excellent
cleaning has been demonstrated in tanks having 2,000 gallons capacity with only 5 to 7
watts per gallon. The more difficult the application, the greater energy density is required
for effective cleaning. Too much ultrasonic power may result in cavitation erosion
occurring on delicate or highly polished parts that are near the transducer radiating
surface. Aluminum, copper, brass and other soft metals are especially susceptible to
cavitation erosion.
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Q - Can ultrasonics cause damage to hearing? Are there any other
effects on the body?
Ultrasonic cleaning equipment utilizes high energy sound waves at frequencies above
those audible to humans to enhance the chemical and mechanical cleaning effects of
liquids. The ultrasonic energy, although high in power, has no measurable impact on
human auditory senses - in fact, there are no established time weighted average exposure
limits for frequencies above 20kHz (20,000 cycles per second) . The frequencies of
concern are the audible sub-harmonics of the ultrasonic primary frequency. These are
produced due to sympathetic resonance of various components of the ultrasonic
equipment which may include the cleaning tank, the enclosure panels, lids and other
features. Pumps, blowers, and other ancillary equipment also contribute to the overall
noise produced by the unit. In that regard, ultrasonic cleaning equipment is no different
than a machine tool or any other piece of equipment found in the industrial environment.
Ultrasound of the intensity that can be transmitted through the air has no known effect on
body tissue. Ultrasound, in fact, is commonly used for imaging of the human body.
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Q - Which is better, Magnetostrictive or Piezoelectric transducers?
This often asked question is driven primarily by the promotional efforts of the
manufacturers who each tout the benefits of their particular type of equipment.
Piezoelectric equipment is by far the most prevalent in use due to its relatively low cost,
high efficiency and adaptability to a wide range of frequencies and waveform
characteristics. Neither construction has proven superior to the other from a reliability
standpoint although metallurgical attachment of either type by vacuum brazing or silver
brazing likely provides longer life expectancy under adverse conditions in heavy industrial
equipment. A fact of physics is that when an ultrasound wave is traveling through a
cleaning tank, it is not possible to tell what type of transducer produced this sound wave.
However, it is also a fact of physics that the less massive piezoelectric transducer can
respond to more rapid frequency changes than can a magnetostrictive transducer. This
allows the piezoelectric equipment to produce special sweeping ultrasound waveforms that
are advantageous in precision parts cleaning. To learn more about piezoelectric and
magnetostrictive transducers, visit the technical information section of this website.
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Q - Will ultrasonic cleaning damage electrical components?
Concerns about damage to electronic components as a result of ultrasonic cleaning can be
traced back to the 1950's when a single incidence of damage to early generation
semiconductors was described in a report issued by the air force. Today's semiconductor
devices are designed to withstand the rigors of space travel and are not easily damaged
by vibration. Furthermore, today's advanced ultrasonic cleaning equipment is able to
prevent part resonance due to recurring harmonic vibration at any frequency making the
cleaning of semiconductor devices completely safe and trouble free.
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Q - What is "degassing" and why is it important?
Degassing is the process of removing small suspended gas bubbles and dissolved gas from
a liquid prior to using it as a vehicle for ultrasonic cleaning. Dissolved gas, if not removed,
migrates into cavitation bubbles during their formation and prevents them from imploding
violently to promote the cleaning effect and gas bubbles absorb ultrasonic energy reducing
the sound intensity in the tank. The gas acts to cushion the imploding bubble much like an
air bag in a car. Liquids should be degassed by raising the temperature, adding the
cleaning chemistry and operating the ultrasonic energy for a period of time ranging from
10 to 30 minutes (depending on the size of the tank and the nature and concentration of
the chemicals being used) minimum prior to use. Small bubbles will not be seen rising to
the liquid surface during ultrasonic operation in a completely degassed liquid.
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Q - Why do I need to rinse parts after cleaning?
Rinsing is as important as cleaning in many applications and should be given the same
attention as cleaning. Rinsing removes residues of the cleaning chemistry and the
contaminants it has loosened to leave a part completely free of residue. Parts properly
rinsed in de-ionized water or water processed by reverse osmosis will dry completely
without water spots. Rinsing can be improved by increasing water flow or by adding more
cascading rinse tanks. See the paper entitled "Ten Minutes to Better Rinsing" in the
technical information section of this website for additional information. Further
enhancement of rinsing can be realized by adding ultrasonics to the rinse tank(s).
Q- What is the best way for me to remove non-soluble oils from
my washer bath?
Checkout our ProSep Oil Removal System. http://www.ctgclean.com/devsite/oil-
separation-removal.php
Q- What product can I use to recycle the oil and cleaner from my
wash solution?
Let us analyze your contaminated bath and determine which of our ultrafiltraiton
products and chemistry combination would allow you to do both. Link to
http://www.ctgclean.com/devsite/fluid-recycling.php
Q- Is the micron rating on a filter bag or cartridge truly the
maximum size particle that can pass through its media?
Solution filter micron ratings have been misinterpreted for years. The micron rating
assigned to a particular bag or cartridge filter is based on the contaminated solution passing
through the filtration media a certain number of times. It is not guaranteed to remove
particles matching the rating size in a single pass. For this reason it is often necessary,
when trying to reach certain micron levels, that a pair of filters be installed in series.