Automated Ultrasonic Cleaning Line To Make UK Debut

Turbex will launch at MARCH 2014 a fully automated version of the ultrasonic Versa cleaning line fitted with a new basket transportation system under programmable logic control. The lines are among the most compact and capable aqueous cleaning systems on the market.

Bespoke installations built from modular tanks and components are capable of washing, degreasing, rinsing and drying batches of industrial components to a high degree of cleanliness and uniformity. A customer may specify any combination of processes to define a system that can be expanded or altered after installation, if required.

Typical cleaning processes include ultrasonic or immersed jet cleaning, single or multiple water rinsing, and hot air drying. Particle filtration as well as oil separation can be included, according to customer requirement. A PLC with user-friendly operator interface allows convenient control over all machine functions.

Another facet of the design is the inclusion of degassing as standard. This removes air dissolved in the water resulting from emptying and filling a tank. Presence of air is undesirable, as it takes energy out of the ultrasonic action and reduces its effectiveness.

Basket and jets move independently
Turbex will show the Elba model from its range of spray cleaning machines. Intended for high precision applications, the machine uses a world patented system whereby the movements of the holding basket and the spray jets are individually adjustable, allowing them to rotate in the same or opposite directions.

Each program can therefore be tailored, together with other movement options such as rocking of the basket, to clean efficiently even the most complex of parts. Another notable point about these high quality machines is that they have integral condensing systems, so there is no need for extraction to be fitted.

The machine has a dual wash tank, integrated warm air drying and an easy to use control that stores cleaning programs without complicated codes. A folding loading door is standard, although a vertical sliding door can be specified for use with automatic basket transfer for unmanned operation.

Processing of larger components
A heavy duty Turbex aqueous washing machine will be on the stand, designated AC-1.3, from the supplier's range of front-loading, spray washing and rinsing models. They have proved particularly popular in the UK for degreasing, precision cleaning, phosphating, paint removal, de-rusting and de-scaling.

Manufactured from stainless steel, the AC programme comprises both single- and multi-stage units with options for one, two or three process tanks. Standard sizes range from one to two metres in diameter, although larger machine sizes are available.

These PLC-controlled machines provide a high level of cleaning performance due to ingenious design principles combined with high spray pressures and liquid flow rates achieved by the powerful pump. The spray system, also of stainless steel, rotates around a fixed load that can weigh several tonnes. Acoustic as well as thermal insulation protect operators from undue noise and heat.

Air blast and hot air drying stages are optional, as is gas instead of electric heating. Other optional accessories include steam extraction, automatic refill, an oil skimmer or separator and a detergent dosing unit. A manually operated spray lance with its own impeller pump can also be supplied, allowing particularly awkward soils to be removed. Alternatively, temporary use of the equipment as a manual spray booth is possible.

Bench-top ultrasonic machines
Completing the exhibits at the show will be models from the Turbex range of bench-top ultrasonic cleaning tanks, which can be used stand-alone, as bench-mounted units or as part of an integrated modular cleaning system.

Available in a variety of sizes, they feature a welded stainless steel tank, double lid with thermal and acoustic insulation, thermostatically controlled indirect heating in the side walls, and an electronic control with digital time / temperature display. A level guard cuts off the heating and ultrasonics if there is insufficient liquid in the tank.

A range of options is available, such as stainless steel work baskets, filtration, a storage tank with oil separator, and a hot air dryer.