Why Ultrasonic Cleaning is Important to Automotive Manufacturers

Ultrasonic cleaning can remove impurities and contaminants from the surfaces of machined components, sheet metal parts and other items assembled to make up finished automotive products. Such cleaning is required because many parts come out of the manufacturing process with oil, grease or shop dirt on their surfaces. Traditional cleaning methods use harsh chemicals, extensive soaking, pressure washing and mechanical scrubbing to clean automotive parts. Ultrasonic cleaning works more quickly with less damage to part surfaces and without chemicals in a safe, environmentally friendly process.

Ultrasonic Cleaning Handles Difficult-to-Clean Parts Quickly and Effectively

Ultrasonic cleaning uses microscopic cavitation bubbles to scrub surfaces and remove contaminants. The bubbles are generated by the action of ultrasonic sound waves in the cleaning solution and their energy depends on the sound wave frequency. High frequency waves generate smaller bubbles and clean more gently while low frequency waves produce larger bubbles and robust cleaning. The bubbles are generated everywhere throughout the cleaning liquid, even inside holes and around complex shapes. When the right frequency is used, contaminants are removed completely, everywhere along the part surfaces and the underlying surface is not affected.

The versatility of ultrasonic cleaning means that rugged parts made of steel or other materials with hard surfaces can be cleaned quickly at a low frequency. Parts made of softer materials such as aluminum can be cleaned at higher frequencies so that surface damage such as pitting is avoided. Delicate surfaces such as those of coated or treated parts can use frequencies high enough to ensure that the surfaces remain intact. In every case, ultrasonic cleaning removes contaminants from all part surfaces, with the cleaning action penetrating threaded holes, hollow curves or inside bearings. Ultrasonic cleaning of automotive parts represents a comprehensive cleaning method that can save money and improve cleaning process throughput.

Ultrasonic Cleaning Delivers Superior Performance for All Types of Automotive Parts

When automotive parts are ready to be assembled into a final product, cleaning them before assembly may improve performance, durability and resistance to failure. Parts may have residues from the manufacturing process or surface dirt may have accumulated during storage. Automotive ultrasonic cleaners can be configured for the type of part and the kind of contamination to ensure complete and rapid cleaning prior to assembly or subsequent manufacturing steps.

For example, machined parts may be coated with oil or coolant and may have chips or debris from the machining or turning process on their surfaces. They are often used in products such as drive trains and have to be cleaned to avoid introducing impurities into the drive train lubricating fluid or chips that could damage other drive train components. Low frequency ultrasonic cleaning removes these impurities from the hard surfaces of metal drive train components.

Other parts may need cleaning prior to painting or coating. Removing contaminants completely helps with paint adhesion and coatings may be applied more evenly and consistently. When coated materials have to be painted, ultrasonic cleaning with higher frequencies removes contaminants without harming the coatings. Even soft plastics or synthetic seals can be cleaned using the correspondingly high ultrasonic frequencies.

The Right Ultrasonic Cleaners Can Improve Automotive Product Quality and Durability

An experienced manufacturer of ultrasonic cleaners can supply the appropriate cleaning system for specific automotive applications. With extensive experience in ultrasonic cleaning, Kaijo offers free consulting and supplies specialized ultrasonic cleaners to the automotive industry. The company can manufacture custom automotive ultrasonic cleaners especially designed to be integrated into the automotive manufacturing and assembly process. Such ultrasonic systems can improve overall facility performance and positively impact output quality, product durability and customer satisfaction.