Top 5 things to Consider Before Choosing an Ultrasonic Cleaner

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An ultrasonic cleaner can address a wide range of contaminants; it can handle cleaning of virtually any type of object. Tool selection is always important; especially so with ultrasonic cleaning equipment. Not every ultrasonic cleaner is created equal and the right equipment should be selected to meet the specific needs of the company. Before purchasing an ultrasonic cleaner, buyers should identify their ultrasonic cleaning needs and goals.

Top 5 things to consider before choosing an Ultrasonic Cleaner

1. Size of the parts/objects being cleaned
2. Ultimate cleaning goal. Example (quality, production and costs)
3. Utilize the correct baskets or racks required
4. Ultrasonic frequency and power that best suits the application
5. Generator adjustability and wave sweep

Size of the parts to be cleaned

Always consider the largest item or part that will be cleaned regularly in the machine. Full measurements of the largest item should be taken and given to the manufacturer so that the proper tank can be specified for the application.

Ultimate cleaning goals

Post cleaning results are of primary concern for people in manufacturing, rebuilding, restoration or the medical field. Ultrasonic is the most thorough process of cleaning known to science. Consequently this methodology is utilized for countless applications around the world today. The time to clean parts is greatly reduced when ultrasonic cleaners are used versus hand cleaning methods. As a result, production is dramatically increased while the cost of cleaning goes down.

Utilizing the correct baskets/racks

The items being cleaned must not touch the ultrasonic transducers located inside the tank. Parts baskets should be utilized and selected specifically for the cleaning application. Any parts or baskets making contact with the ultrasonic transducer packs will eventually cause the surface of the pack to etch or scratch. Even though the packs are constructed of stainless steel, once etching occurs erosion will follow and will over time destroy the integrity of the transducer pack. This damage cannot be repaired and the transducer pack will eventually need replacement.

Ultrasonic cleaners create heat energy as they run. The heat will rise during the cleaning process due to the friction of the cavitation activity being created within the cleaning vessel. The rise in temperature cannot be avoided. Heaters are required to bring the cleaning solution to the desired starting temperature. They are also a necessity when cleaning contaminants such as carbon oil and grease residue. High temperatures help break down these contaminants to better facilitate the cleaning process.

Generator adjustability and wave sweep

Wave sweep is utilized and recommended in virtually all cleaning situations. By dispersing various frequencies with different wave lengths, wave sweep effectively eliminates in active and dead zones in the cleaning tank. This results in more uniform and effective cleaning of all parts especially those of intricate detail. Ultrasonic cleaners equipped with wave sweep do not require degassing modes as engaging the wave sweep accomplishes accelerated degassing of solutions.

Ultrasonic frequency and power

Most ultrasonic cleaners operate between 28 and 120 KHz. The lower frequencies produce larger cavitation bubbles with more abrasive cleaning. These frequencies are recommended for coarse cleaning needs such as removal of lapping compounds from durable metal surfaces. For fine cleaning of very delicate items such as jewelry and soft metals with polished surfaces, higher frequency may be more suitable. The most commonly utilized frequencies are 38 to 40 KHz because they are ideally suited for the vast majority of both commercial and industrial cleaning applications. The power generated by an ultrasonic cleaner should be capable of dealing with the client&#;s most difficult cleaning applications. Controls on the ultrasonic generator allow the operator to dial down the power whenever more delicate cleaning applications are addressed. Because power can be dialed down there is no need to buy cleaners with minimal power capability. Even cleaning delicate items may require more energy when multiple parts are cleaned at one time.

For more than two decades, Ultrasonics International has helped businesses improve profitability by providing their clients with ultrasonic cleaning equipment that feature the latest advancements in wave sweep technology. Our ultrasonic cleaning equipment has a reputation for reliability and longevity. Utilizing the proper ultrasonic cleaning equipment saves money and improves cleaning processes. Cleaning results will be measurably better and less time will be required to complete the cleaning process. Production numbers go up and labor hours go down dramatically because multiple parts can be addressed simultaneously.

At Ultrasonic International Corp. we serve many industries including automotive, marine and government agencies and more. In addition to our wide selection of standard units we consistently and regularly custom-design equipment to suit the needs of the individual customer.

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Contact our sales team today to see how our cleaning technology can help you maximize profits.

Is ultrasonic cleaning right for the job? This is the first thing to consider when looking into getting your own ultrasonic cleaning tank.

Here at Sonic Solutions, we champion ultrasonic cleaning as one of the best deep cleans available. This, however, does not mean that ultrasonics is right for every job. For example, some large batch cleaning where the user is looking to degrease hundreds of metal parts per day would be better suited to jetwashing. Another example would be for cleaning the internals of a machine. It would be impossible to clean ultrasonically without having a tank the size of a lorry to immerse the entire machine. For this application, dry ice blasting would be the way to go.

For more information on other cleaning methods, check out our other blog post on alternative cleaning methods.

How big will my tank need to be?

The most commonly asked question when buying an ultrasonic cleaning tank is how big should it be?

The size of the tank has a serious impact on the price so we wouldn&#;t recommend getting a larger tank than you need. You also have to factor in running costs. The larger the tank, the more cleaning solution is needed to fill it and the more power is needed to heat it.

When deciding on the size of your tank, you should ask yourself;

1. What size is the biggest item I am looking to clean?
2. How many items are you looking to clean per cycle?
3. How much space do you have at your site?

All these will influence what we would recommend for you when buying an ultrasonic cleaning machine so getting this information is a good place to start when considering any cleaning machine.

Do I require any extras?

When buying an ultrasonic tank, most companies give the choice of optional extras. A lot of customers are happy with a standard tank without all the bells and whistles, but when the tank is being used heavily, customers may want some additional extras.

The main addition that is recommended to customers is a basket. When using an ultrasonic tank it is a good idea to keep your item off the base of the tank to allow the ultrasonic waves to pass through the solution to create the cleaning action. Placing heavy items on the base can lead to damaged transducers which can be costly to repair. A basket also makes for easier loading and unloading which can be advantageous for batch cleaning.

Another thing to consider is whether you require filtration on your ultrasonic cleaning tank. Filtration allows you to keep your cleaning solution cleaner for longer. This means you can make your solution last longer so can save you money in the long term. Keeping your solution cleaner also helps the end result of the clean by having less contaminant suspended in the solution meaning there is less contaminant to be rinsed off at the end. Filtration units are however quite expensive. For a top of the range model, you could be looking at thousands of pounds and for a small benchtop unit that may only cost you £, it is quite an investment. If you are looking at a filtration unit we recommend weighing up the pros against the cost and see if it makes sense. Our friendly staff are always on hand to give you guidance with this.

Is the cleaning solution safe?

This question relies on what you are cleaning. Some contaminants require a hazardous chemical to remove whereas some may only require a mild detergent. No matter what solution you are using, it is always best practice to wear full PPE gear to avoid any accidents.

You also have to consider how the material you are cleaning will react with the solution. For example, light metals such as aluminium react heavily with caustic base products so you should always consult your supplier or chemist risking your items.

What do I do with the waste solution?

Proper disposal of chemicals should always be considered before purchasing a tank. All the solutions we supply are biodegradable so as long as they are neutralised properly, they can be put to foul water. This is not the case with some other chemical manufacturers so it is always best to ask when purchasing.

Another main consideration to take into account when disposing of waste solution is the actual contaminant you are removing. Certain contaminants such as inks can be toxic and therefore should not be put into foul water drains. For these situations, it is always best to have them disposed of correctly by a licensed waste disposal company.

To book a Free Trial Clean or for any questions you may have about buying a tank or the disposal of waste, please get in touch with one of our friendly staff who can advise you on the best practice. Call us on or

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