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In The BIG Four, I talked about the four important variables in cleaning. These are time, temperature, chemistry and agitation. In that blog, I mentioned that a shortcoming in one variable can, to a point, be overcome by changing another of the variables. For example, increasing temperature or changing chemistry may reduce the time required … Continued

I have written before that there are four major variables we consider in cleaning – – Time, Temperature, Chemistry and Agitation. Based on some recent feedback from the field, however, I guess I need to provide a little more emphasis on the benefits and definition of agitation as it relates specifically to ultrasonic cleaning processes. … Continued

Here are a few more variables that can be monitored in cleaning systems in pursuit of a Six Sigma process – Oil laden detergent – A good oil removal system is paramount in controlling the quality of the detergent in a cleaning system.  An oily bath can quickly become ineffective in removing additional oil and even … Continued

Most surfaces that we encounter in industrial cleaning are relatively smooth and contiguous.  We have talked earlier about the difficulties of cleaning blind holes, threads, capillary spaces and other challenging configurations. The one surface we haven’t yet explored is that of a material that is itself porous.  Sintered materials including metal, ceramic, glass, plastic and … Continued

In many industrial cleaning processes it is necessary to exhaust emissions that unavoidably result from the cleaning process.  The reasons for exhaust can take on a large range – Remove heat that would otherwise raise the temperature in the cleaning area Remove humidity that would otherwise raise the humidity in the cleaning area Remove toxic fumes that might otherwise be dangerous … Continued

There has been a lot of buzz lately on the internet regarding work at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop a dryer that uses ultrasonics instead of heat to dry things.  The major thrust seems to be to replace the conventional domestic clothes dryer (which uses heat to evaporate water) with one that uses ultrasonics … Continued

Other than to say that there is no perfect, infallible way, the blog has not addressed assessing ultrasonic performance.  In an earlier blog, I did suggest that any of many methods are appropriate to compare ultrasonic performance of an ultrasonic system from day to day but that no further inference should be made. One test that’s … Continued

Watts per gallon as a measure of ultrasonic cleaning tank capability is under growing scrutiny.  In a series of blogs over the next several weeks, I hope to explore the origin of watts per gallon and the changes and ambiguities which have brought its continued use as a measure of ultrasonic capability into question.  Also, if … Continued

Wrong! I don’t think most of us would consider using motor oil to moisten our dry skin.  By the same token, we wouldn’t use body oil in our car’s engine.  The notion seems to persist in the cleaning industry, however, that oil is oil.  We often neglect to differentiate between oils when it comes to developing or recommending a … Continued

My previous blog addressed the chemical cost of using too much (or perhaps too little) “soap” in a cleaning process based on chemical cost.  Today we look at process issues. You might be saying, “What the heck?  So I use too much chemical.  Soap is cheap and I look at it as “insurance”.”  Well, that “insurance” … Continued