Stay flexible, but consider some basic tips
At UltraSonic LLC, we field lots of questions from people throughout the industrial, automotive, aerospace and medical sectors. These questions run the gamut—from the types of parts and materials that can be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, to the capacity of our UltraSonic cleaning machines, the design advantages of these machines and more. Yet every so often, we are asked where it is best to locate an ultrasonic cleaner on a shop floor.
Related blog post: Common Questions About Ultrasonic Cleaning Part I
We think this is an important question, so we wanted to address it briefly in this blog. The answer really depends on your specific circumstances—the nature of your industrial operation (i.e., what your company makes), the size of your facility, the components, processes and “ingredients” that facilitate that process, and other variables.
Generally speaking, you’ll be wise to locate your ultrasonic cleaner wherever it’s most convenient for you or your people to clean parts. For example, if parts come off a machine on one side of the shop floor, and your ultrasonic cleaner is located on the other side of the floor, you (or your team) will likely waste time and effort moving parts across your facility to be cleaned. In some applications, it’s highly desirable to clean parts as soon as they come out of production. In this case, you’ll want to keep your ultrasonic cleaner close to the parts.
One alternative to that, of course, is to simply purchase multiple machines. Most larger ultrasonic cleaning machines, such as our UltraSonic 3800FLT (115-gallon) and 6000FLT (210-gallon) models, are stationary (i.e., they don’t have casters), so if your budget allows for it, keeping multiple cleaning machines on-site – for example, one located by production, another located by the inspections area – is a convenient way to save time and money.
If you’re looking for mobility in an ultrasonic cleaning machine, we suggest UltraSonic LLC models 3200 FA (65-gallon), 2200A (10-gallon) and 2400FA (30-gallon). Each of these leading models includes casters, so they can be easily moved around the shop floor as needed. Note that the model 3200FA runs on 220 volts, so that must be located near a 220-volt receptacle. Our 2200A (10-gallon) and 2400FA (30-gallon) models run on 120 volts, so they can be plugged in anywhere on your shop floor. And finally, our 1300 and 2000 table top models are highly portable, so you can locate those practically anywhere in the shop as well.
Also, as you probably suspect, it’s easier to move an ultrasonic cleaner when it’s empty, as opposed to filled with water. Therefore, for easy transport, we recommend moving the ultrasonic machine in an empty state whenever possible.
Related blog post: Common Questions About Ultrasonic Cleaning Part II
As we have covered in previous blog posts, it is essential to keep industrial parts clean in any industrial setting, for any industrial process. Clean parts help machinery run smoothly; they help to minimize process flaws or errors; they protect sensitive components from damage, contamination and corrosion; and they promote quality in just about every facet of an industrial operation.
Watch a video that shows how ultrasonic cleaning technology works.
If you have questions about industrial parts cleaning methods or industrial parts cleaners – or if you would like information about ultrasonic cleaning for industrial applications and UltraSonic LLC industrial cleaning machines – fill out this contact form, and an UltraSonic LLC representative will be in touch shortly to discuss your requirement.