Emerson introduced its Branson GCX Series of ultrasonic generators, which combine
user-friendly digital controls, advanced features and a more compact footprint to precisely control the delivery of ultrasonic energy for precision cleaning systems used in medical, electronic, automotive and other industries, according to its maker.
The compact design of the Branson GCX Series generator is 15% smaller than that of its predecessor—the S8000 Series—and is built around a 5-inch color human-machine interface (HMI) touchscreen. The HMI eliminates older analog push-button settings with a wider range of precise, digital settings. The GCX Series offers fully variable power control, enabling the user to vary cavitational intensity from 20-100%, and a power-modulation mode that can automatically increase cleaning power fourfold. Sweep frequency mode can vary cavitation intensity to eliminate standing waves and reach even small or intricate part features. It replaces fixed “hi/low” sweep settings and enables users to select sweep bandwidths from 1-100%.
The new GCX alarm system includes a complete log of recent alarms, with all HMI text information available in multiple languages—English, Chinese and Japanese. Process monitoring is further simplified with a power-graphing display that continually tracks the generator’s power draw, enabling fast recognition of any sudden variations that could affect ultrasonic output or cleaning performance, according to Emerson. Together, these features simplify monitoring and reduce the need for paper documentation and technical support calls.
“The GCX Series continues the superior performance and durability of the S8000 Series, while its new and more powerful controls, HMI and communications capabilities give users a far greater level of precision, control and information about the ultrasonic cleaning process,” said Nitin Phadnis, director of precision cleaning products for Emerson. “The GCX Series replaces the entire S8000 Series of more than 60 models, simplifying product selection while offering a new degree of user-friendly performance for ultrasonic cleaning operations.”
The GCX Series also features enhanced RS-485 communications capabilities, which enable high-speed availability of setup and cleaning process data to programmable logic controllers (PLCs), servers or PCs for statistical process analysis. All GCX units can operate with individual tanks in a stand-alone configuration or integrate fully with the PLC controls common to OMNI, B Series Degreasers and other Branson ultrasonic cleaning systems.