Alphasonics designs and produces ultrasonic cleaning devices that can be used in areas such as health care, printing, aerospace, electronics, food service and many other industries. The company has developed cleaning technologies that specialize in the accurate removal of contaminants from complex components, instruments and expensive tools, where a consistent level of cleaning performance is paramount.

The company’s technology is built around the principles of ultrasonic cleaning, wherein the sequential application of high-frequency sound waves creates cavitation (the rapid formation of vapor-filled bubbles), allowing for the removal of contaminants from both the surfaces of an object and the internal structure of the object being cleaned. This method of operation is widely used throughout industry to clean parts with complex geometries such as medical instruments, print heads, anilox rolls and industrial assemblies.

The company develops equipment ranging from compact cleaning systems intended for small-volume cleaning, to large-scale industrial cleaning systems. All of these systems are designed to allow for repeatable cleaning methods, thereby reducing the need for manual intervention and increasing the degree of repeatability in the removal of contaminants.

Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems Offered by Alphasonics

Digital Print Head Cleaning Systems

Alphasonics has developed Digital Print Head Cleaner Systems for print users, who need a systematic means of cleaning high-valued printing components – especially those that are used in Digital Printing environments. All printers and print heads are susceptible to the image quality and consistency of any printed items produced, and print head maintenance is necessary to remove ink residues, blockages, and microscopic contaminants from the print heads themselves prior to printing.

Alphasonics uses a combination of ultrasonic energy with chemical enhancement methods, to address contamination from both outside and inside of the print heads. Ultrasonic energy assists in the removal of contaminants and debris from the surfaces of the print heads; and advanced chemical methods allows for the cleaning of internal passageways and nozzles that are typically impossible to access via mechanical cleaning methods alone.

The systems historically have been designed to allow multiple print heads to be cleaned simultaneously; thereby offering the end-user with operational efficiencies in the production of printed materials, such as the ability to maintain the required throughput of the equipment, and to eliminate unnecessary added time processing work. The cleaning systems are equipped with automated controls to monitor the cleaning intensity, the length of time per cycle, and the custom processing conditions to ensure that each print head receives a consistent amount of treatment regardless of the specific type/ configuration of the print heads.

Anilox Roll and Gravure Cylinder Cleaning Systems

Alphasonics manufactures specialty-purpose ultrasonic cleaning systems for both anilox rolls and gravure cylinders, which are used in flexographic and gravure printing operations. Inking Connectivity, which is required for the operation of printers, needs to be cleaned precisely so that it maintains the same distribution of ink throughout the printing process as well as ensuring that no print quality issues arise. Therefore, these ultrasonic cleaning machines are utilized in the production environment to ensure that no accumulation of contamination is created that impacts the performance or the efficiency of printing by having the machines perform their cleaning function effectively.

Ultrasonic energy is utilized to remove the ink and other coatings, as well as residual materials out of the microscopic cells of both the anilox roll and gravure cylinder's fine engraving. Because of how finely engraved both of these components are, the cleaning methods used to perform the cleaning of the anilox roll and gravure cylinder must be controlled in order to avoid damaging the surface, while at the same time ensuring that all embedded contaminants are completely removed.

The systems are designed to clean high screen count rolls, which require a high degree of care when handling due to their precision engineering and sensitivity. Alphasonics has multiple system configurations available that can accommodate different weight and sizes of rolls as well as production requirements. All of the systems are available in both standalone and floor mounted versions for industrial use, and will correspond to any facility with various operational capabilities.

Surgical Systems

Alphasonics develops ultrasonic cleaning systems that are used to process surgical and medical instruments in healthcare settings. These ultrasonic systems are utilized in the decontamination process of surgical tools, dental instruments, and other medical implements that must be decontaminated of biological contaminants such as blood residue and microorganisms. Ultrasonic cleaning systems are utilized in hospitals, clinics, veterinary clinics, and sterile service units, where cleanliness of instruments and hygiene standards are critical operational factors.

Ultrasonics provide a means of removing contaminants from complex geometries found on instruments with designs that include joints, hinges, and internal cavities that are almost impossible to clean manually. Ultrasonic cleaning is designed to clean instruments completely so that any remaining biological material is minimal before the sterilization process. Alphasonics ultrasonic systems support consistent cleaning of all instruments across a variety of designs.

Alphasonics integrates its ultrasonic cleaning systems with controlled cleaning cycles and compatible cleaning solutions developed specifically for use in healthcare facilities. The design of the cleaning systems is done in conjunction with healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable about the requirements for cleaning medical instruments.

David Jones - Managing Director

David Jones is the Managing Director of Alphasonics and oversees the company’s development of ultrasonic cleaning systems across healthcare, printing, and industrial sectors. He is involved in guiding the design and engineering direction of the company’s cleaning technologies, including systems used for precision components and medical instrument decontamination. His role includes supporting the integration of ultrasonic processes with chemical and monitoring technologies to meet application-specific cleaning requirements

“Advanced Ultrasonic Cleaning is a flexible technology that can be as gentle or as aggressive, as is required.”