World's First Cleaning Machine With Freely Programmable Ultrasonics

A new, aqueous cleaning machine has been introduced on which it is possible to program many different ultrasonic frequencies, power levels and durations throughout a washing cycle to optimise removal of oil, grease and particulates from components.

Finnish manufacturer, FinnSonic, has launched the MultiWave machine in competition with conventional ultrasonic models, which are restricted to generating either a high or a low frequency of constant power, or perhaps both frequencies simultaneously.

Turbex, based in Alton, Hampshire, sells the entire FinnSonic range of aqueous cleaning machines in the UK. The company says that the ability of the 40-litre, stand-alone MultiWave to vary the ultrasonic frequency and power from high to low as many times as the user wishes dramatically improves the efficiency with which contamination is removed from the surface of components.

The vibrational energy, which propagates as ultrasonic waves through the water-based cleaning medium, can be accurately tailored to suit component geometry, how susceptible the material is to ultrasonic cavitation, and the trade-off between required level of cleanliness and cycle time.

Low frequency, aggressive vibrations help to remove heavy soils from large areas of components. However, the powerful cavitations resulting from the creation and implosion of large bubbles can damage the surface of delicate materials, so are more suited to cleaning robust metals. Higher ultrasound frequencies, on the other hand, penetrate the viscous boundary layer more effectively, generating milder actions closer to the component surface for more precise cleaning in difficult-to-reach areas.

The MultiWave machine's programming flexibility is a result of the manufacturer harnessing the latest PLC (programmable logic controller) technology and high level software development tools. The control's touch-screen, graphical user interface makes it easy to set parameters and options, including an almost limitless number of user-defined washing cycles.

All cycles are held in the control's memory for immediate reuse when processing a repeat batch, ensuring reliable, repeatable cleaning.

The cycle is started either by an operator calling up the program on screen or automatically by, for example, reading a barcode on the basket containing the components to be washed.

FinnSonic's new MultiWave aqueous cleaning machine is the first to incorporate freely programmable ultrasonics.

The MultiWave control allows the user to program ultrasound frequency, power and treatment time repeatedly throughout a washing cycle to maximise cleaning efficiency.