The size of the sieve mesh used to sort raw sample in microscopic analysis is very important in laboratory experiments. It determines the minimum sample size to be examined. Special care should be taken while selecting the mesh. Studies show that even a minimal difference in the serial placement of wires can lead to a large difference in aperture size.

Even the ISO parameters are vague in this case. The difference of the impact caused by the independent wire spacing in the x or y-axes (the warp or weft). Wire diameter tolerances are another cause for worry. Besides, the more parameters are used to construct a sieve, the more difficult it becomes to find another matching sieve. The pharmaceutical industry has faced severe problems in the past owing to multi-parameter sieve matching. Nevertheless, loss of accuracy can have a critical impact on the result of the experiment conducted.

The choice of the sieve cloth can be determined either by its mesh number or its wire spacing. Unfortunately, there is a widespread misconception that all apertures of a particular mesh are of the same size. Consumers should know that sieves are still manufactured using the ancient weaving method. In this method, about 10,000 x 18 micron wire units are pulled through a spacing comb of 20-micron gaps manually (the weft wires). Then, another 18-micron wire is set across the loom to create 20-micron apertures. Despite the crudity of this method, the apertures generally turn out to be of an almost uniform size around the mesh. However the roughness of this method needs to be accounted for. And the mesh needs optimizing for finer experiments with more exact requirements.

Apart from manufacturing sensitivity, sieves are prone to structural damages due to the nature of their usage. Ironically, the cleaning process of sieves often tends to harm them in the long run. Residue removal after experiments through forceful methods form a big factor in damaging laboratory sieves over time. Most fine solid particles, semi-solid waste and specimen liquids have a tendency to cling to the minuscule wirings of the mesh aperture. It doesn’t help that they are generally beyond visual observation and human reach.

Repeated mechanical strokes or forceful brushing to clean the mesh can easily destabilize the fine placement of the wires and distort the shape and size of the apertures. Using an ultrasonic cleaner can sometimes be the only way to clean sieves without affecting them physically.

In this method, the sieve is placed in an aqueous cleaning compound provided with the ultrasonic cleaner. An ultrasonic cleaner cleans by employing high-frequency sound waves to blast off the dirt from the surface of the wire mesh without any physical interaction. The wire mesh is thoroughly cleaned without any harm to the delicate wiring. This method is also eco-friendly, as it doesn’t require unnecessary water usage.

Ultrasonic cleaners come in multiple models that are customized to unique requirements. Some models are able to clean multiple sieves at once. But it would be prudent to choose a model suited to your budget and laboratory requirements. In any case, this might prove to be the most convenient method to keep your laboratory sieves clean without constantly replacing them.

Author Bio: Anindita Biswas is a marketing professional with a streak of geek that just refuses to go away! At Tovatech she indulges in her passion for high precision engineering and scientific equipment. Tovatech is a leading North American supplier of ultrasonic cleaners. For more details on this article please visit the ultrasonic cleaner section of Tovatech’s website.

Category: Computers and Technology
Keywords: ultrasonic sieve cleaner,ultrasonic cleaning,ultrasonic cleaner,sieve cleaning