What are Ultrasonic Cleaners & How Do They Work?

We will cover how ultrasonic cleaners work, their advantages and why they're useful, and where they can be used. We also offer some handy tips you should be aware of, to ensure you can get the most out of your cleaning device.

When quick, thorough cleanliness of a part is needed, an ultrasonic cleaner can give you maximum assurance as well as save you time. They can intricately clean even complex surfaces and can significantly reduce cleaning times in most cases. When you need precision cleaning without intensive labour, an ultrasonic cleaner is a vital addition to your workspace.

RS PRO provides a range of high-quality ultrasonic cleaning units to suit your needs.

It is important to understand how an ultrasonic cleaner works to get the best results. A typical ultrasonic cleaning system will have a tank with ultrasonic transducers at the bottom of it. To avoid damaging these transducers, many ultrasonic cleaning machines will have a basket that can be used to contain components in need of cleaning. The cleaning tank is then filled with an appropriate combination of water and cleaning solution. You can find RS PRO ultrasonic cleaning baskets and accessories to suit different applications.

Typical devices will usually have a degas mode which is designed to be activated before the cleaning cycle. This will remove air from the liquid in the cleaning tank and prepare it for a more effective clean.

The liquid used in an ultrasonic cleaner is typically a combination of de-ionised water and a cleaning solution or detergent suitable for the task at hand. The right cleaning solution greatly increases how effectively an ultrasonic cleaner works, so RS PRO provides specialised ultrasonic cleaning fluids to suit your needs.

An ultrasonic cleaning machine is the ideal cleaning system for jewellery, spectacles, watches, and similar items as it can thoroughly clean otherwise unreachable places. It is also ideal for sterilising certain medical instruments. They are even used to thoroughly clean engine and machine parts.

The only caveat is that the items being cleaned must be suitably waterproof. As such, you can find an ultrasonic cleaner employed in all kinds of work environments, from electronics production to aerospace and automotive industries.

They are suitable for cleaning the following materials:

• Most plastics
• Most metals other than tungsten
• Precious metals
• Glass

If you are wondering how to use ultrasonic cleaners, luckily, they are simple devices to use.

1. Add your chosen cleaning solution to the bath, to a level where it will not overflow when the item being cleaned is added.
2. Once the solution is added, place your item into the basket.
3. Now, simply turn on the cleaner and wait until the process has finished, and then remove your item.

When using an ultrasonic cleaner, it is important to use with precaution. That is why it is key to read the manual before using to ensure safe use when operating. Other things you should consider when using an ultrasonic cleaner include:

• Never reach into an ultrasonic cleaner while it is operating, this can lead to the risk of burns, but also skin penetration from the cavitation.
• Use the recommended cleaning solution temperatures provided by the manufacturer.
• Consider wearing gloves when removing baskets or items from the cleaner to protect from heat and chemicals, as the solutions may cause skin irritation.