Powdertech invests in large-scale ultrasonic cleaning line supporting quality bonding for aluminium components.
At Powdertech, we have upgraded our aluminium cleaning capability with the installation of a large ultrasonic cleaning system at our facility in Bicester, Oxfordshire.
The investment gives our customers access to high-capacity, repeatable ultrasonic cleaning for high-volume and complex aluminium components, achieving surface cleanliness levels of 56 Dynes and above.
Automated ultrasonic cleaning at Powdertech Surface Science, Bicester.
Ultrasonic cleaning has been added to our 4-meter, 4,800-litre tanks, adding an improved ability to remove contaminants from surfaces, cavities and difficult-to-reach areas to help improve coating adhesion, structural bonding and the long-term reliability of finished aluminium components.
Jimmy Phillips, Head of Sales and Marketing, Powdertech Surface Science said,
“We know our customers are seeing more demanding cleaning specifications that call for testing to higher dyne levels; with this new system we can offer them measurably cleaner aluminium at scale. We see this as an investment in better aluminium bonding for our customers and their customers.
“We think this is the biggest ultrasonic cleaning system of its kind from a specialist provider in the UK. It gives us the capacity and control to deliver consistently high standards of cleaning on thousands of parts a day, strengthening the value we can bring to customers with increasingly demanding aluminium applications’’
Building on our established expertise in advanced powder coating and surface treatment, this investment expands and strengthens our surface finishing capabilities for customers across the automotive, EV battery (BEV), medical and precision-engineering sectors.
Why is precision aluminium cleaning becoming increasingly important?
As lightweight materials, advanced coatings, and structural adhesives become more widely used across various industries, the need for exceptionally clean component surfaces is increasing.
Standards such as ISO 16232 are also placing greater emphasis on controlling particulate contamination, helping manufacturers achieve strong adhesion, reliable bonding, and consistent product performance.
For customers handling intricate or high-value aluminium components, even small amounts of contamination can affect function, coating adhesion, or long-term reliability. This makes achieving consistent, repeatable cleanliness increasingly important.
How does ultrasonic cleaning support precision cleaning?
Ultrasonic cleaning uses high-frequency sound waves (typically ranging from 20 kHz to 400 kHz) that produce microscopic bubbles in a liquid cleaning solution. These bubbles when bursts provide a rapid, non-abrasive method for deep cleaning aluminium components.
For customers, ultrasonic cleaning is particularly effective for parts with cavities, recesses, and complex geometries that are difficult to clean consistently using standard methods. The process is energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, requiring no harsh chemicals.
Greater control for customer-specific cleaning requirements.
Alongside the ultrasonic line, we have invested in a new programmable logic controller (PLC) and Human-Machine Interface (HMI).
The equipment will maximise the benefits of ultrasonic cleaning by helping us to have greater control and flexibility and allowing cleaning cycles to be adjusted to suit specific customer requirements.
At Powdertech, we have two automated up to 15-stage cleaning and pretreatment lines for aluminium components offering best-in-class optimised TiZr passivation using the Gardobond and Gardoclean systems.
The new ultrasonic cleaning facility will be added to the cleaning operation of the lines, which boast 4-meter by 2-meter by 0.6-meter tanks and currently process thousands of aluminium parts a day.
Investing in the future of advanced manufacturing services
Jimmy Phillips said: “The installation of our ultrasonic cleaning line builds on our established expertise in advanced aluminium powder coating and pre-treatment, enabling customers to access an even broader range of specialist manufacturing services from a single, trusted supplier.
We expect demand for cleaner, more reliable and higher-performing aluminium components will increase, particularly within the automotive and other precision-engineered sectors.
This investment ensures that we are well positioned to support both today's production requirements and the manufacturing challenges of the future.”
