月: 2023年7月

What Is a Vortex Cooler?

A vortex cooler is a small cooler that does not use refrigerants such as chlorofluorocarbons.

The vortex effect, caused by the structure of internal components called vortex tubes, can create cold air as cold as minus 60 degrees Celsius using compressed air. The temperature of the cold air is determined by the cold air ratio on the hot air side. Hot air produced by heat exchange inside the cooler is automatically discharged. Since there are no moving parts, there is no need to worry about breakdowns, and maintenance is not required.

The use of dry, clean air from which impurities have been removed is recommended for stable cool air production.

Applications of Vortex Coolers

Vortex coolers are used for cooling purposes in production sites. Specifically, it is used to cool high-temperature solder, knives, etc., and for rapid cooling during plastic processing. Vortex coolers are also widely used in various other fields, such as cooling electronic equipment and control boxes.

Principle of Vortex Coolers

Compressor air is passed through a tube called a vortex tube, which uses the vortex effect to enable cool air output. No refrigerant or electricity is used.

A special component called a bushing generator in the vortex tube works to rotate the supplied compressed air at high speed. By utilizing the characteristic of air to lose some of its pressure as it expands, the system separates the cold air that has lost heat from the hot air that has absorbed heat.

The outer airflow toward the hot air outlet and the inner airflow toward the cold air outlet rotate in both directions, creating intense turbulence that results in a single mass. Energy is carried from the inner airflow outward as heat, allowing air of different temperatures to be discharged.

What Is a Laser Driver?

A laser driver is a power supply or controller used primarily for semiconductors.

It is also called a laser diode driver, LD power supply, or laser power supply. There are many elemental technologies required, and various functions such as temperature control, current control, and output control are implemented. There is a wide lineup from integrated types in which all functions are implemented to types in which each function can be used independently.

Applications of Laser Drivers

Laser drivers are used for stable control of semiconductor lasers.

By designing circuits and selecting components for integration, miniaturization, etc., it is possible to create a Laser Driver that meets the needs of each application. Various product selections are available, including component and module units and mounting options.

Types of Laser Drivers

Some devices retain each of these functions independently, such as the use of a constant-current power supply, the installation of protection circuits, and circuit elements that maintain a constant optical output, while others have them all as a single power supply unit. The pin layout is also designed to allow for easy integration into circuits, etc.

Other Information on Laser Drivers

Controlling Laser Drivers

To stabilize the wavelength and output of a laser, drive control and temperature control must be performed. For drive control, the Laser Driver eliminates noise from the power supply, prevents driver malfunctions due to disturbance noise or misconnection, and controls output power. For temperature control, the temperature controller and functions are linked to provide stable control.

What Is a Wire EDM Machine?

Wire EDM machines are innovative machines that enable precision metalworking.

Electricity is passed through an extremely thin wire, melting conductive workpieces as it performs EDM processing. Wire EDM machines are also called wire EDMs.

A wide range of materials can be processed as long as they are conductive, but the processing method is limited to penetration only. It is also important to note that the melted part by heat becomes an altered layer, which changes the properties of the material.

With their high precision, wire EDM machines can process extremely complex shapes, and are used in a wide range of fields such as automobiles, aircraft parts, and electronic devices. They also make it possible to process parts that were difficult to process with conventional cutting methods, contributing greatly to improved efficiency in product development and research and development.

Applications of Wire EDM Machines

Wire EDM machines are used in a wide range of applications. They are used in fields such as molds, gears, and jigs, where advanced technology is required. Wire EDM machines and conductive materials can be used for a wide range of applications, from thin sheet metals such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and brass, to thin materials that are difficult to process, and even hard metals such as carbide materials.

In addition, since non-contact machining is performed using a wire electrode, the electrode is discharged without touching the workpiece, which has the advantage that even metals that are difficult to process by cutting can be easily machined. It is utilized in a variety of fields, including the manufacture of automobile and aircraft parts and precision equipment. They also make it possible to process parts and delicate shapes that were difficult to process with conventional cutting methods, contributing to improved efficiency in product development and research and development.

Principles of Wire EDM Machines

Wire EDM machines are characterized by their ability to perform high-precision metalworking in a non-contact, automatic operation. To start machining, a hole is first drilled in the workpiece and a wire is threaded through it, after which the workpiece is moved in a plane in the XY direction and cut according to NC data input in advance.

When cutting, a derivative liquid called processing fluid is used. Water and oil are mainly used, but water is increasingly being used because it is easy to handle, does not cause fires, can be left running at night, removes machining dust, and cools heat.

Two types of machines use water as the processing fluid: the spraying method (pouring method) and the penetrating method (dobbing method). The penetration method is the most common because it allows stable processing without interruption of water.

Types of Wire EDM Machines

There are five main types of wire EDM machines: manual wire EDMs, NC wire EDM machines, CNC wire EDM machines, submerged wire EDM machines, and flash-cut EDM machines.

1. Manual Wire EDMs

Manual wire EDMs are manually operated machines. They are mainly suited for processing simple shapes and small-lot production. Because of their low initial investment and simple operation, they are often used in small factories and research facilities. 

2. NC EDM Machines

NC Wire Cutting EDMs are numerically controlled (NC) machines that perform machining automatically. They are used in medium to large-scale production lines because of their ability to process complex shapes and precision machining and their high productivity. 

3. CNC Wire EDM Machines

CNC wire EDM machines are the most common type of machine where the machining is done by computer numerical control (CNC). They are highly programmable and can easily process complex shapes and a wide variety of materials. They are widely used in many fields, including the manufacture of automobile and aircraft parts. 

4. Submerged Wire EDM Machines

Submerged wire EDM machines are a type of machine that performs machining while impregnated with a processing fluid. They are mainstream machines because they enable stable EDM without interruption of the processing fluid and provide high accuracy and quality of the finished product.

5. Flash-Cut EDM machine

Flash-cut EDM is a type of machine that enables high-speed and short-time machining. Compared to conventional EDM, machining time is greatly reduced, thus improving production efficiency.

However, there are some restrictions on machining accuracy and quality of the finished product, so the choice must be made according to the application.

What Is a Press?

A press is a machine capable of extracting or shaping materials or ingredients by squeezing them.

Various systems exist, including manual, motor-driven, and hydraulically-driven systems. Since the pressing force and equipment size vary depending on the drive system, it is important to select the appropriate equipment for the application.

Presses are also sometimes called wringers or juicers. They are suitable for extracting concentrated ingredients by pressing materials and are widely used in various industries, including the food industry, chemical industry, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Presses are characterized by their ability to extract efficiently due to their high pressing force. The machines themselves are compact, making them suitable for many applications while saving space.

Press Applications

The main applications of presses are in the food, agricultural, fishery processing, chemical, and pharmaceutical fields.

1. Food Industry

In the food industry, presses are used to extract juice from fruits and vegetables and to extract ingredients for liqueurs. They are also suitable for making paste-like bean jam.

2. Agriculture

In the agricultural field, they are used to process agricultural products into pastes and to extract oil, especially the cold press method, which is characterized by its ability to extract high-quality oil.

3. Seafood Processing

In the seafood processing field, they are useful for procuring extracts from seaweed and fish.

4. Chemical/Pharmaceutical Field

In the chemical and pharmaceutical fields, they are used to extract ingredients for medicines, health foods, cosmetics, and other products. Presses are also used for dehydration as a non-extractive application.

Principle of Presses

Presses are machines that use pressure to make a paste of the material, extract it, and dehydrate it. There are various types of presses, such as manual, hydraulic, pneumatic, motor-driven, screw, and cold compressors, which have different advantages depending on their characteristics and fields of application.

For example, manual presses, although less powerful, can be used simply for small amounts of material. They are unique in that they are often used at home or in small-scale operations.

Hydraulic presses, on the other hand, do not generate heat during the pressing process, and thus are characterized by their ability to prevent food deterioration. This makes them suitable for use in the food industry and is the preferred method for producing high-quality products.

Types of Presses

There are five main types of presses: manual, hydraulic, pneumatic, screw, and cold. It is important to understand the characteristics of each and the field of application to select the most suitable machine.

1. Manual Presses

Manual presses are a type of machine in which the operator directly applies force. Although manual presses require less force, they can be easily used for small amounts of material. It is suitable for home and small-scale business use. 

2. Hydraulic Presses

Hydraulic presses use a hydraulic cylinder to perform pressing. Since heat is not generated during the pressing process, food deterioration is minimized. This is the preferred method for producing high-quality products and is widely used in the food and chemical industries. 

3. Pneumatic Presses

Pneumatic presses are a type of machine that uses compressed air for pressing. Like hydraulic presses, they generate less heat, making them suitable for processing food products and chemicals.

They are also easier to install and maintain than hydraulic presses.

4. Screw Presses

Screw presses use a rotating screw to press the material. Because they can process materials continuously, they can press large quantities of materials efficiently. They are suitable for many applications, such as oil extraction in the food industry and agriculture. 

5. Low-Temperature Presses

Low-temperature presses are capable of pressing materials at low temperatures. General presses tend to generate heat, and there are concerns about quality deterioration due to heat. Low-temperature presses are used in industries that demand high-quality products because they minimize deterioration due to heat.

What Is an Image Dimension Measurement System?

Image dimension measurement systems are machines that measure an object as an image and then convert it to binary values to obtain its dimensions.

By inputting CAD data, the difference between the data and the actual measured value can be compared. It is also possible to create a measurement program based on CAD data to improve work efficiency.

Image dimension measurement systems make it possible to measure the dimensions of various samples. Since the measurement is non-contact, they can also be used to measure the size of circular holes, such as screw holes. They measure with images, and can also measure the size of areas where the shape is distorted, such as peeled surfaces.

Uses of Image Dimension Measurement Systems

Image dimension measurement systems are used to confirm that products are processed according to a given design. As mentioned earlier, this device measures dimensions and can measure a variety of samples.

Examples of dimensional measurements using image dimension measurement systems are as follows:

• Measurement of the maximum outer shape, hole diameter, hole position, and hole pitch of a printed circuit board.
• Measurement of width and length of printed circuit board exterior, resist peeling, silk peeling, etc.
• Measurement of the maximum external shape, hole diameter, hole position, and hole pitch of metal components.

These measurement results can also be saved as data.

Principle of Image Dimension Measurement Systems

Image dimension measurement systems take an image and process it to obtain dimensions. The key points are the number of pixels and the size of each pixel, with the “size of one pixel” being particularly important. For example, if the height x width size of one pixel is 1 mm and 300 pixels are lined up horizontally in one image, the size of one field of view is “1 mm x 300 pixels” or 300 mm. As the size of this single pixel changes, the size of the entire image also changes.

If the number of pixels in one image and the size of one pixel are known, dimensions can also be calculated. When recognizing the shape and determining the dimensions of a product from its image, a process called “binarization” is the key point. The image is represented by two values, 1 if the color exceeds a certain density in the image and 0 if it does not.

A black-and-white boundary is then displayed on the image. By recognizing these boundaries, the device can determine the dimensions from the image. In image processing, the strength of the light source also affects the binarization of the boundary. Therefore, it is necessary to change the intensity of the light source depending on the sample.

What Is a Beveling Machine?

A beveling machine is a machine that performs essential pretreatment for welding operations.

Beveling is used to chamfer the corners of steel and create grooved indentations in the joints and improve weld quality. Beveling machines can cut at an angle to create bevels in materials such as aluminum and stainless steel.

Beveling machines are available in various sizes, from large machines to small hand-operable ones. Each machine handles different material thicknesses and processing ranges, so it is important to select the best machine for the application.

Beveling machines can improve the efficiency and quality of welding operations. Accurate beveling improves the penetration of molten metal during welding, resulting in stronger joints and a more aesthetically pleasing finished product. Beveling also improves productivity by reducing work time and labor.

Beveling Machine Applications

Beveling machines are used for beveling, and one specific application is welding. Beveling machines are indispensable in welding operations.

In welding operations, grooving machines are used to create bevels in the steel material to be welded. This improves the penetration of molten metal during welding, making it possible to create stronger joints. Depending on the shape of the groove, finishing after welding may also be easier, saving time and cost.

Because beveling machines can be used regardless of the shape of the steel, they have a very wide range of applications. Beveling can be performed on a wide variety of steel materials, from simple to complex shapes, such as square pipes, H-shapes, and L-shapes, as well as flat plates.

Principle of Grooving Machine

The principle of beveling machines is to cut steel at an angle to create a melt-in and prevent deformation. Specifically, the beveling machine cuts steel at an angle by moving the rotating cutting edge vertically and horizontally.

Changing the angle of the blade makes it possible to create a bevel that matches the shape of the weld joint. Another feature is that the rotation of the cutting blade produces a smooth and beautiful finish on the cut surface. This improves the aesthetics of the joint after welding and enhances the overall quality of the product.

Types of Grooving Machines

There are four main types of beveling machines: portable, bench, CNC, and pipe-specific types.

1. Portable Type

Portable beveling machines are easy to carry and suitable for on-site work. Many are lightweight and can be operated with one hand, making them suitable for work in confined spaces. They are mainly used for beveling small steel materials and pipes. 2.

2. Bench Type

Bench-type beveling machines are fixed to a workbench and can be used for precise beveling. They are suitable for machining large steel materials and thick plates and feature easily interchangeable blades and adjustable angles.

3. CNC Type

CNC-type beveling machines perform beveling automatically under computer control. They are suitable for complex shapes and mass production and can bevel with high accuracy. However, due to its high installation cost, it is suitable for large factories or when high productivity is required.

4. Pipe Beveling Machines

Pipe beveling machines are specialized for beveling round and square pipes. They can process the inside and outside surfaces of a pipe at the same time, and produce beautifully cut surfaces in a short time. Dedicated blades are available to match the diameter and shape of the pipe.

What Is a Substrate Cutting Machine?

Substrate Cutting Machine is a machine used to divide and cut substrates that are essential for manufacturing electronic devices.

There are two main types: router type and dry slicer type. The router type can process substrates and slits using a router attached to a high-speed spindle motor. It is capable of precision processing and has the advantage of being able to handle substrates of various shapes.

On the other hand, the dry slicer type is characterized by its ability to achieve a clean cut surface with straight cutting and no load. The finish after cutting is considered to be extremely beautiful. Various types of Substrate Cutting Machines exist, depending on the V-groove or perforation on the surface.

Substrate Cutting Machines, also called Board Dividers, play a very important role in the electronics manufacturing industry. By selecting the appropriate cutting method, product quality can be improved and production can be made more efficient.

Applications of Substrate Cutting Machines

Substrate Cutting Machines are used in electronics manufacturing to cut substrates into designed shapes. There are types that cut by rotating tools such as drills, routers, and slicers at high speed, and types that cut using lasers.

There are also manual types that are directly operated by the operator, and types with an automatic tool change function that automatically changes tools according to settings, allowing selection of the type best suited to the application and the efficiency of the work. Substrate Cutting Machines are used in a wide range of applications in the electronics manufacturing industry due to their diverse functions and range of applications.

For example, Substrate Cutting Machines play an important role in everything from general consumer electronics such as smartphones and PCs to electronic control systems in automobiles and aircraft, as well as in space development and medical equipment.

Principle of Substrate Cutting Machine

Substrate Cutting Machines are used in electronics manufacturing to separate multiple substrates arranged on the same sheet. They enable low-load cutting operations and prevent cracks and other damage, thereby improving work efficiency.

There are two typical principles of Substrate Cutting Machines: Router Splitting and Laser Method.

1. Router Cutting

Router cutting utilizes the high-speed rotation of a motor to move the cutting tool at high speed, enabling division without placing a load on the board. It enables precise processing and can be used for boards of various shapes.

2. Laser Method

The laser method enables non-contact cutting with a small load and no chips, making it possible to handle a wide variety of shapes using CAD data, etc. The laser method is also highly accurate. The laser method is also suitable for mass production due to its high accuracy and repeatability.

Other Information on Substrate Cutting Machine

Substrate Cutting Machine used in conjunction with a Substrate Cutting Machine
Substrate Cutting Machines are mainly used in conjunction with Board Drilling Machines, Board Screening Machines, SMT (Surface Mount Technology) equipment, Reflow Soldering Machines, and Wave Soldering Machines. Each machine works together to produce efficient and high quality products.

1. Board Drilling Machine

Board drilling machines are used to drill holes in circuit boards. It is capable of precisely drilling holes for attaching electronic components and for connecting circuits.

2. Board Screening Machine

Substrate screening machines are used to form printed circuits on substrates. They are responsible for printing patterns using ink to enable electrical connections.

3. Surface Mount Technology (Smt) Equipment

SMT equipment is a machine used to mount electronic components on boards using surface mount technology. It has high component mounting accuracy and contributes to improved production efficiency.

4. Reflow Soldering Machine

Reflow soldering machines are used to fix the connection between components and circuits mounted on boards by melting solder in the process of heating and cooling it to adhere to the connection.

5. Wave Soldering Machine

Wave soldering machines are used in the soldering process, which uses solder to secure the connection between components and circuits on the board. Wave soldering machines are especially applicable for through-hole mounted components.

By passing the board over a wave of molten solder, the lead terminals of the component and the pads on the board are connected by solder.

What Is a Capillaroscope?

A capillaroscope is a microscope that can easily observe the condition of capillaries in the fingertips and skin, as well as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets flowing in capillaries, by applying oil to the fingertips, illuminating them with a high-intensity light source, and magnifying them under the skin, without drawing blood.

In the Lifelong Education Series 6 “Microcirculation” published in 1979, under the general supervision of Taro Takemi, Shigeo Okinaka, and Yuichi Yamamura, Makishige Asano provided a biological window into the observation of microcirculation in the skin. In the article, Makishige Asano, under the supervision of Taro Takemi, Shigeo Okinaka, and Yuichi Yamamura, emphasized the observation of capillary vessels in the nail bed and labial skin as one monitor of microcirculation in the skin. However, at that time, observation took the form of looking through a microscope and recording using reproductions and photographs. With the advancement of science and technology, these studies opened up new possibilities in the 21st century, where they could be checked on a monitor and recorded as moving images, and were called capillary blood flow observation devices.

Around 2010, capillary observation devices began to be miniaturized, and the Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, in collaboration with Atto, succeeded in extracting capillary images using the reaction-diffusion equation, making it possible to quantify capillaries. The scope is used in a wide range of applications in the medical industry.

Capillaroscopes are used not only for research in the medical industry, but are also widely used in the health and beauty industries to observe capillaries and measure the effects of treatments.

Uses of Capillaroscope

The following is a description of the uses of capillaroscope.

Capillaroscopes are widely used in the medical industry, for example, as a clinical test and demonstration device at universities and research institutes, or as a device for verifying the effectiveness of treatment at hospitals by observing capillary shape and blood flow in the peripheral and subcutaneous tissues. In the past, the device was used for observation and capillary imaging. Previously, observation and capillary images were stored and quantified visually or using a simple drawing system, but the aforementioned non-personal quantification method of Osaka University has enabled mass analysis, and in October 2020, Maekawa et al. (Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University School of Medicine) presented a paper at the Japanese Society for Glaucoma Research on the usefulness of nail bed capillary measurement for glaucoma diagnosis at the Japan Glaucoma Society. The usefulness of capillary measurement in glaucoma diagnosis was presented by Maekawa et al. (Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University School of Medicine) at the Japan Glaucoma Society in October 2020, and the Capillary Laboratory Social Implementation Consortium was established by the NPO Kinki Bioindustry Promotion Council with Professor Takakura of the Department of Information Transfer, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University as the committee chair.
It is also used to observe changes in blood circulation promotion in Chinese medicine and massage, and in counseling for behavioral change to improve lifestyle at pharmacies.

In addition to the medical industry, it is also used in the beauty and health industries to observe capillaries and blood flow improvement after treatment.

Principle of Capillaroscopes

The capillaroscope projects a high-intensity light source onto the epidermis and dermis to magnify the capillaries on the body surface and project the capillaries on a camera to observe the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets flowing in the capillaries without the need to draw blood.

Capillaroscopes are often composed of a high-power lens and a camera, and can be connected to a suitable monitor for projection or combined with analysis software for quantification, thereby expanding their range of applications.

Results of Introducing a Capillaroscope

The greatest advantage of the capillaroscope is that it allows observation of capillaries and blood flow in real-time without drawing blood from the examinee. It is a very useful examination device because it allows us to confirm the capillary shape and changes in blood flow.

The reason the condition of capillaries can be easily identified is that the point of observation is specialized to observe capillaries in the “under the cuticle of the nail” because capillaries between the skin and the nail run in a hairpin shape. It is very easy to operate and does not require specialized knowledge or difficult operating techniques. Furthermore, the simple UI allows anyone to operate and easily observe.

The ability to easily identify minute changes in oneself based on capillary shape and blood flow is also beneficial to the examinee. All the examinee has to do is apply oil to the fingertips, without enduring pain or long waiting periods. The examinee simply applies oil to his or her fingertips, and that is all there is to it. The fact that there is almost no burden on the examinee is another reason for its popularity. Furthermore, since the capillary shape and blood flow can be checked in real-time, it has the potential to provide a strong argument for measures to improve lifestyle-related diseases and other illnesses in the future.

As described above, the capillaroscope is a testing device that benefits both the user and the examinee when introduced. Even today, its popularity is increasing. It is expected that capillaroscopes will be used in a wider range of fields and many more situations in the future.

Price of a Capillaroscope

The price of a capillaroscope ranges from 200,000 yen to 500,000 yen. Recently, however, low-priced capillaroscopes that are not dedicated to capillaries but are used to observe printed matter, electronic components, and skin, have been developed that use inexpensive lenses and sensors and have simple functionality. Some low-priced products are now available.

Capillaroscopes that use lenses and sensors with high performance include tabletop and handheld capillaroscopes with manual focus adjustment. It costs about 400,000 yen due to its high degree of freedom and manually adjustable functionality.

There are cheaper scopes that are handheld types and have a function that allows autofocusing with half the probability of focus adjustment as a diversion of those made to look at the quality of printed materials and electronic components. Here, although manual adjustment is almost impossible, the LCD monitor can be projected on a smartphone or computer, and can be purchased for about 180,000 yen.

Capillaroscopes range in price. However, some offer low prices while maintaining high functionality, and can be purchased according to the functionality required. Capillaroscopes can also be introduced through the rental method.

What Is a Hypochlorous Acid Generator?

Hypochlorous acid is an aqueous solution containing hypochlorous acid as a solute, which can be obtained by electrolyzing brine or hydrochloric acid. It has been designated as a disinfectant food additive because it has shown effectiveness in sterilizing and removing a wide range of bacteria and viruses, and is not harmful to human health when used appropriately and in accordance with precautions for its use.

Hypochlorous acid as a food additive (disinfectant) is specified in terms of pH and effective chlorine concentration.

Hypochlorous acid designated as a food additive (disinfectant)

	Electrolyzer	pH	Effective chlorine concentration（mg/kg)
Slightly acidic hypochlorous acid	One-chamber type	5.0〜6.5	10 to 80
Weak acid hypochlorous acid	Two-chamber/Three-chamber type	2.8〜5.0	10 to 60
Strongly acidic hypochlorous acid	Two-chamber/Three-chamber type	2.7 or less	20 to 60

Sodium hypochlorite is similar to hypochlorous acid. The difference between the two is that the form of hypochlorous acid molecules in aqueous solution differs, resulting in different sterilizing power. Sodium hypochlorite exists primarily in ionic form in aqueous solutions, whereas water hypochlorite exists primarily in molecular form in aqueous solutions.
The molecular form of hypochlorous acid is said to have higher disinfecting power than the ionic form, and at the same effective chlorine concentration, hypochlorous acid shows a higher disinfecting effect.

Sodium hypochlorite is generally used at relatively high concentrations of 200 ppm or higher to achieve sterilizing effects. This has been pointed out as a problem at food handling sites, where it can cause rough hands, and the smell of chlorine can adhere to food, affecting the taste, aroma, and texture of the food. On the other hand, hypochlorous acid has the advantage that it has less impact on food and people because it has a sterilizing effect at a lower concentration.

A hypochlorous acid generator is a device that can generate hypochlorous acid instantly, and by using a hypochlorous acid generator, you can perform sanitation control such as sterilization and deodorization safely and inexpensively without spending time and effort.
Hypochlorous acid generators come in various sizes, so you can work efficiently by selecting the right size for your purpose of use.

Uses of Hypochlorous Acid Generators

The following describes the uses of hypochlorous acid generators.
With a hypochlorous acid generator, safe hypochlorous acid can be used immediately like tap water, without the need for dilution or other work.
These hypochlorous acid generators are used in various fields such as medical and welfare facilities, educational facilities, agriculture, fishery industry, restaurants, and food processing facilities because they enable efficient hygiene control.
For example, in food processing facilities and restaurants, it is used to sterilize cooking utensils, facilities, and various food materials. In medical, welfare, and educational facilities, it is used to sterilize inside facilities and to clean and sterilize utensils and clothing.

Hypochlorous acid is a sterilizing water designated as a food additive. Recently, however, products outside the scope of food additive regulations have been distributed as hypochlorous acid generators, and care should be taken to use products within the scope of food additive regulations (sterilizing agents) when using them to sterilize foodstuffs.

Principle of Hypochlorous Acid Generators

Next, the principle of hypochlorous acid generator is explained.
Hypochlorous acid is obtained by electrolyzing brine or dilute hydrochloric acid. Strongly acidic hypochlorous acid and weakly acidic hypochlorous acid are produced by electrolyzing brine water in an electrolysis tank with an anode and a cathode separated by a membrane to produce hypochlorous acid from the anode
On the other hand, slightly acidic hypochlorous acid is produced by electrolyzing dilute hydrochloric acid or a mixture of dilute hydrochloric acid and salt in a non-diaphragm electrolysis tank.

Hypochlorous Acid Generator Designated as a Food Additive (Disinfectant)

Hypochlorous acid is used as a disinfecting food additive, and the standard criteria and usage methods for pH, effective chlorine concentration, ingredients, and generator are specified.

1. Component Standards and Equipment for Hypochlorous Acid Designated as a Food Additive

• Slightly acidic hypochlorous acid (pH 5.0-6.5, effective chlorine concentration 10-80ppm)
  Generator: One-chamber electrolyzer
  Electrolyte: Hydrochloric acid water or hydrochloric acid + sodium chloride solution
• Weak acid hypochlorous acid (pH 2.8-5.0, effective chlorine concentration 10-60ppm)
  Generator: Two-chamber electrolyzer / Three-chamber electrolyzer
  Electrolyte: Sodium chloride solution
• Strongly acidic hypochlorous acid (pH 2.7 or less, effective chlorine concentration 20-60ppm)
  Generator: 2-chamber electrolyzer/ 3-chamber electrolyzer
  Electrolyte: Sodium chloride solution

2. Usage Standards

• Before use, confirm that the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid are within the specified limits.
• Before use, remove contaminants with tap water, wash with hypochlorous acid, and rinse with tap water.

Hypochlorous Acid Generator for Coronavirus Infection Control

Hypochlorous acid has been proven effective against a new type of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) by the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE). However, the following conditions apply depending on the intended use.

• When used for wiping
  An effective chlorine concentration of 80 ppm or higher should be used.
• When used by pouring from a generator
  An effective chlorine concentration of 35 ppm or higher should be used.

The following are points to keep in mind when using the product

• If there is visible dirt on the water, remove it beforehand.
• Use a sufficient amount of hypochlorous acid.
  When using by pouring, pour the liquid over the object to be disinfected for at least 20 seconds.

Note that hypochlorous acid has not been verified to be effective when used in small quantities. It should also be noted that the verification by NITE was conducted assuming the sterilization of articles, and the effectiveness of the water for sterilization of hands and fingers, as well as the specific method of use, are not subject to evaluation.