A prototype of ultrasonic cleaning machine for cleaning small metal objects and glass items

• Main Authors: Gimenes, Anderson, Lee, James, Ng, Chung Sun, Tan, Anthony C., Uypeckcuat, Abraham
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1993
• Subjects: Ultrasonic cleaning; Cleaning machinery and appliances; Metal cleaning; Analog-to-digital converters; Engineering
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/9389
• Institution: De La Salle University

Ultarasonic cleaning is a reliable and effective method of removing unwanted particles such as dirt in a delicate and intensive way. With this, minute particles hidden in the tiny holes of objects to be cleaned, can be reached and removed. Unavoidable scratches or fading normally occurring in usual cleaning by means of manual or chemical methods can also be eliminated. Hence, the characteristics and beauty of the objects being cleaned is more easily maintained and better preserved.The basis for the ultrasonic cleaning is cavitation, a bubbling action in the fluid with millions of tiny bubbles forming through degassing and collapsing through pressure and surface tension in the bubbles generated by ultrasonic frequency. Its frequency spectrum ranges from 20,000 Hz and above and normally, its operating frequency is between 40,000 to 60,000 Hz. The ultrasound creates the formation of the bubbles and the collapsing of the bubbles produces the cleaning action.An ultrasonic cleaner has a power oscillator which provides the oscillating frequency needed to drive the transducer with high voltage sinusoidal waves in order to generate the high intensity sound wave. The transducer is piezoelectric ceramic and is mounted on a stainless steel pan which is used to contain the liquid and the object to be cleaned. An additional part, a heater, is used to create greater cavitation and speed up the process. Nonetheless, the use of solution according to the type of object being cleaned is more effective and faster. However, it is the goal of this thesis to minimize the use of such solutions while having the same cleaning result as compared to normal cleaning condition without damaging the item being cleaned.