In numerous industries and markets, companies are faced with increasing demands regarding the cleanliness of their parts. These can often only be met with high precision cleaning processes tailored to specific requirements. For such applications, UCM has developed the new cost-efficient ultrasonic cleaning series UCMSmartLine. Based on standardized modules, it includes integrated electrical and control systems for cleaning, rinsing, drying, loading and unloading processes, as well as a versatile transport system. The modules can be configured to create customized extendable systems for preliminary, intermediate and final cleaning.

With the newly-developed UCMSmartLine series of multi-chamber immersion cleaning systems, the company is responding to a trend that has been emerging for some time in a number of industries and which is increasingly gaining momentum. Due to new and more demanding product requirements, changes in manufacturing, bonding and coating technologies, as well as stricter environmental regulations in some sectors, the demands on component cleanliness are constantly increasing. Among others, companies from the medical sector, watch & jewellery industry, optics, precision & micro technology, automotive & supplier industries, machine tool manufacturers and the coating industry are faced with the challenge of meeting these stringent particulate and film cleanliness specifications with reliable processes at competitive prices. A similar situation can also be observed in the MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) sector from industries such as aerospace, electronics, medical engineering, etc.

Optimum adaptability and extensibility for future-proof operations

Thanks to the cleverly designed modular concept of the new UCMSmartLine, highly-compact ultrasonic multi-chamber immersion cleaning systems can be built with three to nine cleaning and rinsing stages for preliminary, intermediate and final cleaning. As a result, the system can be individually configured for a wide range of applications and adapted to changing market conditions at any time. Twin and triple modules are available for the process steps “cleaning & rinsing”, or “cleaning, cleaning & rinsing” and can be combined as desired. With an additional module, a two-stage fine and precision rinsing processes can be integrated with cascaded reverse osmosis or demineralized water.

The ultrasonic cleaning modules, which are heated and fitted with a filter circuit as standard, can also be adapted to suit a wide range of applications. This enables the use of single (25, 40, 80 kHz), dual (25/50, 40/80 kHz) as well as multi-frequency ultrasonics (40/80/120 kHz). The ultrasonic transducers are placed at the bottom and/or on one side of the tanks measuring 370 x 420 x 390 mm (L x W x H). The parts are dried by infrared radiation heat, hot air or under vacuum. Depending on the application, these drying technologies can also be used in combination. The loading and unloading stations of the UCMSmartLine can be arranged either at the front or at the side, depending on the space available and plant layout for optimum material flow. These tasks can be performed manually or automatically.

For cleaning applications requiring an exceptionally clean environment, one or two HEPA filters can be installed on the top of the housing, depending on the length of the system. As a rule, two flow boxes are used; which creates a cleanroom atmosphere from the last rinsing station to the unloading station. The UCMSmartLine can also be connected to a cleanroom.

Maximum process reliability as standard

Inside the system, the parts are conveyed by a standard automatic transport system with servo drive. This enables the transport speed to be adapted according to the parts being cleaned. As a result, the parts are handled extremely gently during processing. In addition to preventing damage and scratches on sensitive workpieces, it also prevents components from rising to the surface. If desired, speeds can be increased in most sections of the line to ensure a higher throughput. A further advantage of the servo drive is the part-specific lift-out from the last rinsing tank for pre-drying the parts. This helps prevent stains from forming during the subsequent drying process.

The standard version of the system has a static transport rack made of stainless steel that is designed for a maximum batch weight of 20 kg. In addition, transport racks that can be rotated along the longitudinal axis are available for bulk items requiring increased part agitation. Another type of transport rack can be rotated along the vertical axis at 200 rpm during wet processes and up to 1,000 rpm during the dry process. These racks are used, among other things, to clean microlenses in optics.

If higher throughputs are required, the system can be fitted with a second automatic transport system.

The spill-over tank developed by UCM also guarantees consistently good cleaning results in line with demands: In all of the cleaning and rinsing tanks, the media are introduced from below and pumped to the top where they overflow on two sides. This creates a constant flow in the tanks and makes sure that the parts are thoroughly cleaned and rinsed. The flow also ensures that detached particles and other residues are removed immediately from the tanks, thus minimizing the risk of re-contaminating the parts when they are moved or lifted out. The tanks have been designed so that they can be drained quickly and completely, and that no pockets of dirt or contamination can form. The same applies to the piping of the cleaning system, which is designed for temperatures up to 70° C.

High flexibility through integrated electrical and control systems

The electrical and control technology is already integrated in each module of the new UCMSmartLine. This plug-and-play design plays a major role in reducing the amount of space required for the ultrasonic multi-chamber immersion cleaning system. It also eliminates the need for a separate control cabinet. As a result, the systems can be put in operation quickly and extra modules added at any time.

Designed with health, safety and environmental benefits

In addition to its performance and adaptability, the fully-enclosed UCMSmartLine is made from electropolished stainless steel. The standard front panels are made of high-quality safety glass and are not just an optical feature. They also prevent vapours escaping from the system into the surroundings, which could pose a health risk depending on the cleaning agent used. Compared to the many open systems available in the market, the panels also reduce heat loss, which cuts energy consumption. The covered dryers reduced energy costs even further and also increases throughput with shorter drying times.

The system’s PC-based controller can be integrated into higher-level Manufacturing Executive Systems (MES) via interfaces.

Due to its modularity and high flexibility in terms of system configuration and process design, the new UCMSmartLine covers an extremely wide range of applications in high-tech industries as well as in the fields of MRO. At the same time, the modern modular concept means that the cleaning system can be manufactured cost-efficiently with short delivery times.