Patent ID: 10076822

Abstract:
A part processing apparatus and method is disclosed that includes a media-blasting apparatus and a cleaning apparatus. The media-blasting apparatus is configured to blast a stream of media against a surface of a part, and the cleaning apparatus is configured to clean debris or particles from the surface of the part. The cleaning apparatus includes a first spray-and-wash unit, a first ultrasonic wash unit, a second ultrasonic wash unit, and a second spray-and-wash unit, which may be arranged in the listed order. Each of the units may be configured to utilize hot liquid or water to clean the part being processed. The first ultrasonic wash unit is configured to ultrasonically vibrate a liquid in the first ultrasonic wash unit at a first frequency, and the second ultrasonic wash unit is configured to ultrasonically vibrate a liquid in the second ultrasonic wash unit at a second frequency. The first and second frequencies may be different from each other, such that vibration at the second frequency causes additional debris or particles to be removed from the surface of the part that were not, or could not be, removed from exposure to vibration at the first frequency. The apparatus and method may further include a drying and/or inspection unit for the part after being processed in the cleaning apparatus.