We live in a world of customization. Custom fitted cars with heated seats, satellite radio, built-in navigation systems. Custom built computers with high end processors and graphics cards suited to die-hard gamers and amateur videographers. Custom built homes with surround sound theater rooms, jacuzzis, climate control, and more.
But customization extends beyond the home. Those working in industry seek to customize as much as possible in the workplace to produce a product as quickly, efficiently, and accurately as possible. For example, a factory manufacturing wristwatches assembles hundreds of tiny parts that must stay consistent in size and fit together to produce an accurate timepiece the buyer can strap onto his wrist and carry wherever he goes.
In order to keep these parts clean from dust and other impurities, they go through a process of ultrasonic cleaning. The parts are placed in a container filled with a fluid that conducts ultrasonic waves. These waves produce tiny bubbles at an immense heat, removing every trace of dirt from the watch parts. Manufacturers generally use ultrasonic cleaning for stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or other metals, but it can also clean other materials such as wood and plastic. Any manufacturing process that requires precisely made parts with all the impurities removed can take advantage of ultrasonic cleaning.
In fact, many devices you use frequently go through ultrasonic cleaning while being produced. Is that your cell phone ringing? Cell phones contain tiny electronic parts that must be free from dust and other impurities. These parts go through a cleaning process so they will work to their best capability. This process can even clean a water-damaged phone to repair it.
Other examples are the shiny necklace hanging from your neck, or the golden bracelet on your wrist, or the diamond ring around your finger. Jewelry manufacturers must keep their products clean and shiny to be able to sell them. So be thankful for ultrasonic cleaning next time you admire the sparkling facets of a diamond (if you happen to own one).
Whatever is being manufactured, ultrasonic cleaning requires that the parts be placed in some sort of container to dip into the fluid. But this container should hold the parts securely and must be able to withstand incredibly high temperatures without melting. So many manufacturers seek to buy custom baskets built to hold specific parts and made of materials that can stand up to extreme heat. Companies such as Three M Tool of York, Pennsylvania, manufacture wire baskets of durable stainless steel for this very purpose. This company can design and produce a basket in whatever size and shape a company needs to contain the parts that need cleaning.
Three M Tool’s website shows many pictures of wire baskets they have produced, suggesting potential uses for these baskets. But a variety of industries can use baskets from Three M Tool in manufacturing and can order them customized for whatever purpose they might need the baskets for.
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