Basic study of cleaning effect on metal plate surface using micro-bubble with ultrasonic vibration

Abstract

A new cleaning method of machine parts using water and micro-bubble with ultrasonic vibration (28 kHz, 100 W) is proposed considering precision of parts and environmental problems. As a specimen, a stainless plate evenly coated with tapping paste is used. The specimen is hung up in the water tank. Micro-bubble is applied from bottom of the water tank. Ultrasonic vibration is applied from upper side of the water tank. Cleaning effect of the proposed method is compared with that of micro-bubble cleaning (using micro-bubble only) and ultrasonic cleaning (using ultrasonic vibration only) on removal rate of tapping paste and turbidness of washing water after cleaning. Removal rate is obtained from measurement of residual amount of tapping paste at constant time intervals. Turbidness is evaluated in saturation using image processing of turbidness in washing water. As a result, removal rate of tapping paste in the proposed method is superior to micro-bubble cleaning and inferior to ultrasonic cleaning. However, saturation of washing water in the proposed method is inhibited more clearly than that in ultrasonic cleaning and almost same as that in micro-bubble cleaning. The proposed method is expected to be effective on cleaning more dirty and adhesive oil and reduce pollution of washing water.