How do ultrasonic cleaners work?

Ultrasonic technology is a unique way to clean an extensive range of items, from jewellery to medical equipment and electronics. Ultrasonic technology uses soundwaves for an intense, deep clean. In this article, we’ll examine how your large ultrasonic cleaner works to achieve exacting results.

How does ultrasonic cleaning achieve results?

Put simply, parts are immersed in liquid and then scrubbed clean using high-frequency soundwaves. These soundwaves agitate the liquid or solvent, causing cavitation to occur.

How does cavitation work?

Cavitation is all about bubbles. Sonic energy from 40kHz sound waves creates voids that become trapped as bubbles in the cleaning liquid. When the bubbles implode, the force dislodges any contaminants. It’s an ideal way to clean delicate machinery or scrub clean items with hard-to-reach areas that can harbour bacteria.

What solution should I use?

It’s important to use a cleaner that’s labelled for ultrasonic use. Using a standard detergent might seem tempting, but it won’t have the viscosity and density required for cavitation to occur.

The solution is used in the tank of your large ultrasonic cleaner, known as the bath. Items for cleaning are immersed in the bath at low or high temperatures depending on how delicate they are.

What are the key components of a large ultrasonic cleaner?

Ultrasonic cleaners such as those supplied by www.hilsonic.co.uk/ have a tank, generator and transducer.

The tank holds the items that are to be cleaned and the cleaning fluid. The generator transforms AC current into ultrasonic energy, and then the transducer converts it into mechanical energy. This is the critical element as it generates the soundwaves that activate the cleaning process.

What are ultrasonic cleaners used for?

Ultrasonic cleaning is suitable for items that can be immersed in liquid and then dried relatively quickly. Cavitation has some unexpected uses, too, including brewing coffee and processing peanuts

But is ultrasonic cleaning right for your needs? A surprisingly wide range of items are ideal for ultrasonic cleaning. Motherboards, surgical robots, golf clubs and engine parts can all benefit from a deep clean in an ultrasonic bath to strip away dirt, grime and other contaminants.