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[May 2006]
Advanced Megasonic Cleaning Technologies for Bio-Based, Critical Cleaning Applications
Piezo Technologies (Indianapolis, IN, USA) has developed advanced proprietary piezoelectric ceramics and ultrasonic transducers for use in new Megasonic Critical Cleaning applications. Megasonic cleaning has proven to be a giant leap forward compared to traditional ultrasonic cleaning technologies and many lab equipment manufacturing companies have started using, or are considering using, megasonics in their critical cleaning products.
Traditional ultrasonics rely on the principle of cavitation to do the cleaning, but this type of force can also damage the small components that are attempting to be cleaned or cause microscopic surface pitting and
surface wear. Also, traditional ultrasonics cannot typically be used for bio-based cleaning applications. Traditional ultrasonic cleaning still has its place in the cleaning industry, but due to the long-standing problems
described here, many cleaning applications are better served by megasonics.Megasonic cleaning is an extremely high frequency cleaning method that uses more of a direct force, rather than cavitation, so it is more aimable, controllable and adjustable. Megasonics also perform better for bio-based, sub-micron human protein and critical cleaning applications, both in ambient and high temperature environments. Megasonics have found their way into many critical cleaning systems used in a variety of situations, including: lab equipment; the bio-pharma industry; needle cleaning, semiconductor manufacturing; single chip cleaning; clean room applications; electronics manufacturing; precision optics; and many more.
Joe Lehr, Vice President/COO of Piezo Technologies stated: "Although megasonics are becoming the cleaning technology of choice for many applications, it is important to understand that not all megasonic cleaning is the same. More than ever, this critical cleaning method is dependent on the quality and the performance of the piezoelectric ceramic materials and the transducers used. Those are our areas of expertise and the reasons why we have been able to advance this field."
Piezo Technologies and its Keramos division has been a leader in the development and production of advanced piezo ceramics for more than 30 years. Etalon, the transducer division of Piezo Technologies, and its renowned development engineers, have used these piezo materials to develop one of the best cleaning technologies ever known, according to the company. Mr. Lehr explained: "Megasonic waves must operate at extremely high frequencies, and this is made possible by our proprietary piezo materials and our renowned transducer expertise. Capitalizing on this powerful combination of knowledge is what allows us to break barriers and develop or advance new technologies."
In this area of megasonic cleaning, Piezo Technologies can provide as much or as little as required for different customer needs, from ceramics and transducers to fully engineered turnkey systems. Existing products, as well as next generation products, can be enhanced to perform at their maximum levels.www.piezotechnologies.com
ENDS