Did you know you could clean your most priceless and fragile items without ever lifting a finger? Thus, all that you’re required to do is toss your goods into a water tank, and the ultrasonic waves will take care of the rest. That is what the ultrasonic cleaner does for you.
Using high-frequency sound waves, ultrasonic cleaning creates millions of tiny bubbles that gently agitate and remove dirt, grime, and other pollutants from surfaces.
Unlike conventional cleaning techniques, ultrasonic cleaning can get to even the most difficult-to-reach places, leaving your items spotless and residue-free.
Moving forward, we will cover all the information you require regarding ultrasonic cleaners in this blog post.
Table of Contents
What is Ultrasonic Cleaning?
Ultrasonic cleaning is a technique that uses ultrasound (typically from 20 to 40 kHz) to agitate a fluid and provide a cleaning effect.
These ultrasonic cleaners are available in various sizes from small desktop machines with internal volumes of less than 0.5 liters (0.13 US gal) to big industrial units with volumes of almost 1,000 liters (260 US gal).
The fundamental principle of an ultrasonic cleaner is the transducer’s ability to transform the sound energy of an ultrasonic frequency source into mechanical vibration.
How Does Ultrasonic Cleaning Work?
The process is known as cavitation. Cavitation is the process of eliminating impurities and dirt from an object without the use of harsh chemicals by using mechanical vibrations to generate sound waves in a solution. These small implosions of bubbles continuously strike the object.
The best approach to using the tanks is to load the components into a glass beaker, basket, or tray before submerging them in the cleaning solution.
Meanwhile, cavitation impacts the entire bath, allowing for thorough and even cleaning of all submerged regions, including tight spaces and crevices that would not have been accessible with other cleaning methods.
Water-based or solvent-based cleaning solutions are both acceptable. Although the former has a little less cleaning power, it is better for the environment.
What Can You Clean With An Ultrasonic Cleaner?
Ultrasonic cleaners are used to clean various types of objects. The table below shows a compilation of some of them.
| optical lenses | car fuel injectors | lenses |
| fountain pens | dental and surgical instruments | firearm components |
| golf clubs | industrial parts | tools |
| scientific samples | fishing reels | coins |
| electronic equipment | industrial machined parts | other optical parts |
| gramophone records | household items | automotive parts |
| window blinds | collectibles | medical devices |
| musical instruments | eyewear | |
| watches | ||
| jewelry |
Ultrasonic cleaners are more effective at cleaning items that have intricate or hard-to-reach areas, such as jewelry with gemstones or electronic devices with circuit boards. They can also be used to clean fragile items that cannot be cleaned with traditional methods, like antique coins or antique firearms.
Here’s how ultrasonic cleaners are used to clean different items:
Jewelry: They are commonly used by jewelers to clean jewelry—rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Ultrasonic cleaning can also remove dirt, grime, and polishing compounds from jewelry, leaving it sparkling clean.
Medical and dental: They are also widely used in medical and dental settings to clean and sterilize instruments. Thus, ultrasonic cleaning can remove blood, tissue, and other contaminants from instruments, helping to prevent the spread of infection.
Electronics: An ultrasonic cleaner can be used to clean electronic devices like circuit boards, sensors, and connectors. So, it can remove dust, dirt, and flux residue from electronic devices, helping to improve their performance and reliability.
Automotive: Ultrasonic cleaners can be used to clean automotive parts, such as fuel injectors, carburetors, and engine components. Hence, they can remove dirt, grime, and grease from automotive parts. This helps to improve their performance and lifespan.
Parts That Make Up An Ultrasonic Cleaner
The ultrasonic cleaner is made up of three parts:
The generator
The generator is the power source. To energize the transducer, it converts AC electricity from a wall into an electrical signal.
The transducer
Ultrasonic vibrations, which are at a frequency range above the range of human hearing, are produced by the transducer. The majority of ultrasonic cleaners in Europe and Asia transform electrical energy from the generator to ultrasonic energy using piezoelectric crystals.
Again, when electricity flows through the crystals, they alter in size and shape and emit linear vibrations. The majority of ultrasonic cleaners now use ceramic transducers because they provide a gentle clean and are more efficient than the metallic ones that were common in the past.
Meanwhile, the transducer is positioned beneath the tank to produce vibrations above it.
The tank
In addition to the basket, tray, or glass jar used to submerge the part, here is where the part is placed together with the cleaning solution. Tank sizes might vary based on how much solvent they can hold. Some tanks have a basket with temperature control and timer functions.
Benefits of Using An Ultrasonic Cleaner
There are several benefits of using ultrasonic cleaners. However, we’ll discuss a few below.
Gentle cleaning: Ultrasonic cleaners are ideal for delicate items like small mechanical parts. This is due to the requirement for a thorough yet sensitive cleaning of the objects. Meanwhile, the cavitation effect used by the cleaners facilitates damage-free removal of undesired residue from tight spaces and access to nooks.
Versatile: These cleaners are perfect for various applications. They are used by auto repair shops to clean parts of any lubricants or residue, by dentists to clean small dental equipment, and by labs to clean glassware.
Effectiveness: Unlike other cleaning methods, ultrasonic cleaning is one of the most effective cleaning techniques. Compared to most hand cleaning techniques or traditional equipment washing machines, it consumes less water. Thus, it works much more quickly and is more energy-efficient.
Safer: This cleaner reduces the possibility of workers injuring their hands on sharp parts or items in addition to keeping them from inhaling hazardous fumes.
Convenient and simple: Ultrasonic cleaners require only the user to feed the part and detergent to the tank, making them simple to use. They are also convenient since the operator can leave them while focusing on anything else.
Tips For Getting The Most Out of Your Ultrasonic Cleaner
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your ultrasonic cleaner:
Use the right ultrasonic cleaning solution: All ultrasonic cleaning solutions are not created equal. While certain cleaning agents can harm your unit or the objects you are cleaning, others are made expressly for ultrasonic cleaners. So, ensure you read the ultrasonic cleaner’s instructions thoroughly and use the suggested cleaning solution.
Preheat the cleaning solution: Preheat the ultrasonic cleaning solution before use to increase its cleaning power. So, use the heater on your ultrasonic cleaner to preheat the cleaning solution to the specified temperature.
Avoid overcrowding the tank: This is because doing so will prevent the ultrasonic waves from reaching all of the surfaces of the items you’re cleaning. And it will make the cleaning process less efficient.
Carefully clean fragile items: Some delicate items, including jewellery and electronics, may need extra attention when cleaning. Therefore, ensure you carefully read and adhere to any special directions for cleaning sensitive things in the ultrasonic cleaner’s instructions.
Rinse the items thoroughly after cleaning: Rinse with clean water to remove any remaining cleaning solution.
Wrap Up
Ultrasonic cleaners are a versatile and effective way to clean many different items. They are especially useful for cleaning items with intricate or hard-to-reach areas or items that are fragile or cannot be cleaned with conventional methods.
So, if you are considering buying an ultrasonic cleaner, be sure to do your research and pick a cleaner that is the right size and type for your needs. Also, ensure to read the instructions for your cleaner carefully and follow the tips above to get the most out of your cleaner.