Auto Manufacturers Achieve Cost Effective Cleaning with Ultrasonic Cleaners

Because automotive parts may be contaminated by the manufacturing process, automotive manufacturers have to clean the parts they produce before using them, processing them further or sending them out to customers. Cleaning automotive parts with complex shapes or hard-to-access cavities can be expensive and time-consuming. Fragile parts and parts with delicate coatings may be damaged by manual cleaning methods. Automotive ultrasonic cleaners address these issues by cleaning all part surfaces completely and rapidly.

The ultrasonic cleaning process is safe and does not need monitoring. Instead of cleaning parts by hand, manufacturing facility workers can place the parts in the ultrasonic bath, set a timer and come back later to remove the clean parts. Ultrasonic cleaners can replace traditional cleaning methods for most automotive part cleaning applications.

Ultrasonic Cleaners Deliver Effective Cleaning for Typical Automotive Applications

The parts automotive manufacturers have to clean during or after the manufacturing process can vary greatly in material, cleaning purpose and part shape. Typical automotive cleaning applications include the following:

• Cleaning oil, grease or coolant from machined parts
• Removing metallic dust or metal chips
• Removing casting residue
• Preparing parts for the application of coatings or paint
• Cleaning molded or 3-D printed parts
• Removing deposits from parts to be re-built
• Cleaning bearings, seals and casings prior to assembly

Automotive ultrasonic cleaners deliver superior cleaning performance over the traditional cleaning methods used for these applications. Ultrasonic cleaning is faster and more complete while reducing costs.

How Ultrasonic Cleaners Are Customized for Automotive Applications

Ultrasonic cleaning systems are made up of ultrasonic generators, transducers and cleaning tanks. The characteristics of each component can affect the cleaning performance of the overall system. An experienced and competent manufacturer can help customize systems to meet automotive cleaning needs generally or for specific applications.

The ultrasonic generator produces the frequency at which the system operates. Low frequencies deliver powerful cleaning action for machined steel parts, cast metal parts and metal fasteners. Medium frequencies can safely clean softer metal parts, plastic parts or parts with a delicate coating. The highest frequencies can clean delicate nozzles, gaskets and other fragile parts without damage. For general purpose applications, a system that can operate at several frequencies may be the best solution.

The ultrasonic transducer is placed in the cleaning solution and generates the high-frequency sound waves responsible for the cleaning action. The sound waves penetrate everywhere, even inside threaded holes, along cracks and inside nozzles. As a result, parts with complicated shapes are cleaned easily.

The cleaning tanks hold the parts to be cleaned. They can be fitted with heaters to heat the cleaning solution and soften hard, greasy or oily deposits. For some contamination, a mild detergent can be added to the cleaning solution to speed up cleaning. If all parts are contaminated with a specific material from the manufacturing environment, a mild cleaner targeting the contaminant can improve cleaning speed and performance. Kaijo can examine the automotive cleaning applications and recommend custom ultrasonic cleaning systems that fulfill the requirements.

Automotive Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems Improve Overall Manufacturing Facility Performance

Replacing conventional cleaning systems with modern industrial ultrasonic cleaners saves time and money while making the workplace safer and increasing productivity. The elimination of the chemicals used in conventional cleaning reduces costs and increases worker safety. When workers no longer have to do manual cleaning and don’t have to monitor the cleaning process, they can carry out other tasks that improve productivity. Using ultrasonic cleaners provides cleaner parts and higher quality results. Kaijo works with customers realize these benefits and help put in place most cost-effective ultrasonic cleaning solutions.