A benchtop ultrasonic cleaner proved superior to an automated microplate washer with integrated manifold tube cleaning.
Rachel Kohn, Ph.D., Tovatech LLC, Plano, TX
Elmasonic P60H
Biopharma labs routinely use microplates for cell-based assays, microsphere-based assays, and ELISA applications. Microplate washers are used to clean the plates. Manifold tube clogs are the most common source of failure on plate washers. Some plate washers come with built-in ultrasonics to clean clogged microtubes, but they are often not favored by lab personnel who prefer to wash the manifolds off-line. Procedures to remove clogs and contaminants in manifold tubes can involve time consuming manual insertion of a cleaning wire or stylus tool into each tube.
I was contacted by a researcher at one major pharmaceutical laboratory who was looking for an alternate off-line method to replace laborious manual manifold washing. Since I wasn’t familiar with this application for an ultrasonic bath, I recommended conducting a cleaning trial with a demo unit. For this trial the researcher planned to clean a manifold with the following dimensions: 5.5 x 3.7 x 2.5 inches. I selected the Elmasonic P60H and associated basket for this demo. The basket for the P60H is 10 x 4.1 x 3.7 inches, a good size for the manifold.
Maintaining the safety and operational efficiency of aircraft engines is paramount in the aviation industry. For Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMTs), Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) organizations, and airline maintenance facilities, adhering to rigorous procedures outlined in aircraft engine maintenance manuals is non-negotiable. Ultrasonic technology has emerged as a critical tool in this sector, providing significant advantages in both the cleaning of aircraft engine components and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) operations. This guide explores the diverse applications of ultrasonic energy in aircraft engine maintenance, highlighting its effectiveness and benefits.
https://www.elmaultrasonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/img_header_aircraft_engine_parts.jpg400800elmaknowshttps://www.elmaultrasonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/logo_elma_ultrasonic_authorized_na.pngelmaknows2025-04-11 19:22:162025-04-11 19:22:20The Power of Ultrasonic Cleaning Aircraft Engine Maintenance
Investments in multifunctional ultrasonic cleaner accessories quickly pay for themselves by extending the versatility of your ultrasonic cleaner. Examples include
For Ultrasonic Cleaning
confidently complete challenging cleaning tasks
use diverse cleaning chemicals in a single cleaning cycle
In the Research Lab
increase sample prep cycle throughput
accommodate multiple sample prep projects in a single run
An Intro to Multifunctional Ultrasonic Cleaner Accessories
Ultrasonic Cleaner Accessories in the Shop
A cleaning basket is a cleaning basket, right? And as a professional, you know that it is not good practice to overload a cleaning basket or allow contact between parts being cleaned.
Imagine the basket of your benchtop ultrasonic cleaner as a condo or an apartment house with diverse occupants.
Consider a Modular Basket System allowing you to subdivide a simple ultrasonic cleaning basket into several compartments or levels…
Instead of “Knowledge is Good,” the Faber College motto in “Animal House,” we propose “Clean is Good.” This is not a joke, when it comes to “clean” in keeping costly equipment up to peak performance. Here’s how ultrasonic parts cleaners promote peak performance across a broad range of products.
An Ultrasonic Parts Cleaner? Why Is It Important?
Cleaning parts, whether new or being refurbished, can represent a significant amount of time and, without the proper equipment, can be unpleasant or uneconomical.
For example:
Solvent spray tanks, aerosol sprays, manually scrubbing with flammable solvents, abrasives and other alternatives – beside yielding unsatisfactory results – can raise environmental, health and safety concerns.
Complex parts – the methods above often can’t reach parts with cracks, crevices and blind holes.
Labor – time clocks run during parts disassembly, manual cleaning and reassembly. The power of ultrasonic energy can substantially reduce labor costs, insure superior cleaning results and free personnel to attend to other tasks.
Cross-contamination is a constant concern in all laboratory practices and can be addressed by strict operating procedures to assure equipment is thoroughly clean before use. Thorough fine mesh lab sieve cleaning used in analytical, science and testing laboratories can be crucial in meeting GLP standards.
Lab sieves, because of their design, present special cleaning challenges to assure residues from prior screenings are completely removed from fine mesh screens.
Manually scrubbing the sieves is not a sure-fire means to clean them. A time-consuming operation in itself, the chief area of concern is potential contamination of subsequent products being processed because 100% of the particles may not be removed. Moreover, manually scrubbing fine mesh lab sieves can damage them.
Tovatech offers two options for ultrasonic sieve cleaning
One is the SRH 4/200 designed to be used in conjunction with a standard Elma ultrasonic cleaner with a size 300 tank, and the other is one of the uniquely designed Easy 50R or Easy 350R ultrasonic cleaners from Elma. These two cleaners can also be used for cleaning small instruments and for sample prep.
The Elma SRH 4/200 Cleans Up to 4 Fine Mesh Lab Sieves
Safely cleaning fine mesh sieves is achieved with Elma’s cleverly designed stainless steel SRH 4/200 sieve rotation holder. It is electrically powered and easily fits onto a 300 size Elmasonic ultrasonic cleaner, such as the heater-equipped EP300H or Select 300 ultrasonic cleaners.
Up to four 200 mm (8 inch) diameter lab equipment sieves from various manufacturers are placed into the unit much as plates are loaded into a dishwasher, and held in place by rollers. Once the sieves are clamped into the holder ultrasonic energy is applied while the sieves rotate into and out of the ultrasonic cleaning bath.
Ultrasonic cavitation produced by the EP300H or Select 300 generator-powered transducers creates billions of minute bubbles that implode vigorously against the screen mesh to quickly but safely dislodge trapped particles.
https://www.elmaultrasonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/header-woman-seive-cleaning.jpg540800elmaknowshttps://www.elmaultrasonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/logo_elma_ultrasonic_authorized_na.pngelmaknows2024-08-06 21:00:262025-04-22 19:50:24Lab Test Sieve Cleaning with an Ultrasonic Cleaner
The Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaner Market Report for 2024-2031 highlights the market’s growth potential, projecting a value of around USD 74.14 Billion by 2031, up from USD 39 Billion in 2023. This trajectory suggests a promising compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.61% from 2024 to 2031.
As to why industrial ultrasonic cleaner markets are growing, the report “projects significant market expansion (is) driven by technological advancements, increasing consumer demand, and regulatory support.”
Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaner Features and Benefits
Industrial ultrasonic cleaners are defined by task, not size. The featuresand benefits industrial ultrasonic cleaners provide to accomplish the task must be considered first. Then think about the size of the unit you need to do the job.
https://www.elmaultrasonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/header-elmasonic-industrial-ultrasonic-cleaner-xtra-tt.jpg450995elmaknowshttps://www.elmaultrasonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/logo_elma_ultrasonic_authorized_na.pngelmaknows2024-07-19 14:38:012024-07-19 14:53:06Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaner Features and Benefits
In many cases ultrasonic energy is the “go to” solution when it comes to meeting challenges associated with cleaning large parts. Cleaning large parts calls for a large ultrasonic cleaner – one that accommodates parts size and has added features facilitating the entire cleaning cycle. This means more than considering a unit with the capacity to hold parts being cleaned.
Calculating Large Ultrasonic Cleaner Capacity
Remember the old saw about the guy who builds a boat then can’t get it out the door? When specifying an ultrasonic cleaner, the point to remember is parts must fit in the tank.
https://www.elmaultrasonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/large-ultrasonic-cleaner-header.jpg450961elmaknowshttps://www.elmaultrasonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/logo_elma_ultrasonic_authorized_na.pngelmaknows2024-06-20 21:08:202025-04-25 13:52:19Specifying a Large Ultrasonic Cleaner
A report by Polaris Market Research citing ultrasonic cleaner market size through 2032 notes that ultrasonic cleaning “has become a preferred choice because it provides thorough and consistent cleaning, effectively eliminating contaminants, including from intricate and hard-to-reach areas.”
The Polaris report cites markets where ultrasonic cleaner machines find application. This post offers equipment and cleaning solution suggestions related to certain of these markets.
You most likely have parts cleaning challenges not easily resolved by brushes, solvents, wash tanks, sprays and other manual methods that fail to yield satisfactory results. These can all be solved with an ultrasonic parts cleaner.
Here you will learn that cleaning parts, whether new or refurbished, is best accomplished in an ultrasonic parts cleaner. And why mechanics, hobbyists, collectors, manufacturers and others dealing with dirt of most any type rely on an ultrasonic parts cleaner for fast, damage-free results.
Examples Where Ultrasonic Parts Cleaners Shine
Ultrasonic cleaning eliminates risking damage that can result from manually removing post-molding contaminants such as flashing, grease and other residues from costly plastic injection molds.
Ultrasonic parts cleaning is unsurpassed in terms of speed and thoroughness when it comes to removing dried grease, varnishes and other contaminants from carburetors, fuel injectors and other critical engine components.
Sonicator baths are often employed for sample preparation steps in research and development activities. For example, a sonicator bath may be used to extract an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) from its carrier, or excipient, prior to conducting content uniformity and potency assay tests. Many USP monographs recommend using a sonicator bath to dissolve samples prior to analysis.
As noted in Chapter 8 of Optimization of Pharmaceutical Processes, “A growing need for developing novel technologies for obtaining better quality products with enhanced process efficiency has created promise for application of ultrasound in the area of food and pharmaceutical processing.”
The chapter “offers discussion on the governing mechanisms for the improvement based on the use of ultrasound, different ultrasonic reactor configurations, as well as the selection of operating conditions for the specific applications of encapsulation and crystallization.”
In chapter 2 of Sample Preparation of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, discussing agitation and particle size reduction, it is noted that “techniques include grinding, milling or blending, homogenization, and sonication.”
https://www.elmaultrasonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/elma-s150-hero.jpg250800elmaknowshttps://www.elmaultrasonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/logo_elma_ultrasonic_authorized_na.pngelmaknows2024-01-26 16:20:102025-03-25 18:13:39The Role of Sonicator Baths in Sample Preparation
Cleaning Microtube Manifolds: An Alternate Approach
Biopharma labs routinely use microplates for cell-based assays, microsphere-based assays, and ELISA applications. Microplate washers are used to clean the plates. Manifold tube clogs are the most common source of failure on plate washers. Some plate washers come with built-in ultrasonics to clean clogged microtubes, but they are often not favored by lab personnel who prefer to wash the manifolds off-line. Procedures to remove clogs and contaminants in manifold tubes can involve time consuming manual insertion of a cleaning wire or stylus tool into each tube.
I was contacted by a researcher at one major pharmaceutical laboratory who was looking for an alternate off-line method to replace laborious manual manifold washing. Since I wasn’t familiar with this application for an ultrasonic bath, I recommended conducting a cleaning trial with a demo unit. For this trial the researcher planned to clean a manifold with the following dimensions: 5.5 x 3.7 x 2.5 inches. I selected the Elmasonic P60H and associated basket for this demo. The basket for the P60H is 10 x 4.1 x 3.7 inches, a good size for the manifold.
Read moreThe Power of Ultrasonic Cleaning Aircraft Engine Maintenance
Maintaining the safety and operational efficiency of aircraft engines is paramount in the aviation industry. For Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMTs), Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) organizations, and airline maintenance facilities, adhering to rigorous procedures outlined in aircraft engine maintenance manuals is non-negotiable. Ultrasonic technology has emerged as a critical tool in this sector, providing significant advantages in both the cleaning of aircraft engine components and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) operations. This guide explores the diverse applications of ultrasonic energy in aircraft engine maintenance, highlighting its effectiveness and benefits.
Read moreUltrasonic Cleaner Accessories Broaden Business Opportunities
Investments in multifunctional ultrasonic cleaner accessories quickly pay for themselves by extending the versatility of your ultrasonic cleaner. Examples include
An Intro to Multifunctional Ultrasonic Cleaner Accessories
Ultrasonic Cleaner Accessories in the Shop
A cleaning basket is a cleaning basket, right? And as a professional, you know that it is not good practice to overload a cleaning basket or allow contact between parts being cleaned.
Imagine the basket of your benchtop ultrasonic cleaner as a condo or an apartment house with diverse occupants.
Consider a Modular Basket System allowing you to subdivide a simple ultrasonic cleaning basket into several compartments or levels…
Read moreUltrasonic Parts Cleaners Promote Peak Performance
Instead of “Knowledge is Good,” the Faber College motto in “Animal House,” we propose “Clean is Good.” This is not a joke, when it comes to “clean” in keeping costly equipment up to peak performance. Here’s how ultrasonic parts cleaners promote peak performance across a broad range of products.
An Ultrasonic Parts Cleaner? Why Is It Important?
Cleaning parts, whether new or being refurbished, can represent a significant amount of time and, without the proper equipment, can be unpleasant or uneconomical.
For example:
- Solvent spray tanks, aerosol sprays, manually scrubbing with flammable solvents, abrasives and other alternatives – beside yielding unsatisfactory results – can raise environmental, health and safety concerns.
- Complex parts – the methods above often can’t reach parts with cracks, crevices and blind holes.
- Labor – time clocks run during parts disassembly, manual cleaning and reassembly. The power of ultrasonic energy can substantially reduce labor costs, insure superior cleaning results and free personnel to attend to other tasks.
Read moreLab Test Sieve Cleaning with an Ultrasonic Cleaner
Cross-contamination is a constant concern in all laboratory practices and can be addressed by strict operating procedures to assure equipment is thoroughly clean before use. Thorough fine mesh lab sieve cleaning used in analytical, science and testing laboratories can be crucial in meeting GLP standards.
Lab sieves, because of their design, present special cleaning challenges to assure residues from prior screenings are completely removed from fine mesh screens.
Manually scrubbing the sieves is not a sure-fire means to clean them. A time-consuming operation in itself, the chief area of concern is potential contamination of subsequent products being processed because 100% of the particles may not be removed. Moreover, manually scrubbing fine mesh lab sieves can damage them.
Tovatech offers two options for ultrasonic sieve cleaning
One is the SRH 4/200 designed to be used in conjunction with a standard Elma ultrasonic cleaner with a size 300 tank, and the other is one of the uniquely designed Easy 50R or Easy 350R ultrasonic cleaners from Elma. These two cleaners can also be used for cleaning small instruments and for sample prep.
The Elma SRH 4/200 Cleans Up to 4 Fine Mesh Lab Sieves
Safely cleaning fine mesh sieves is achieved with Elma’s cleverly designed stainless steel SRH 4/200 sieve rotation holder. It is electrically powered and easily fits onto a 300 size Elmasonic ultrasonic cleaner, such as the heater-equipped EP300H or Select 300 ultrasonic cleaners.
Up to four 200 mm (8 inch) diameter lab equipment sieves from various manufacturers are placed into the unit much as plates are loaded into a dishwasher, and held in place by rollers. Once the sieves are clamped into the holder ultrasonic energy is applied while the sieves rotate into and out of the ultrasonic cleaning bath.
Ultrasonic cavitation produced by the EP300H or Select 300 generator-powered transducers creates billions of minute bubbles that implode vigorously against the screen mesh to quickly but safely dislodge trapped particles.
Read moreIndustrial Ultrasonic Cleaner Features and Benefits
The Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaner Market Report for 2024-2031 highlights the market’s growth potential, projecting a value of around USD 74.14 Billion by 2031, up from USD 39 Billion in 2023. This trajectory suggests a promising compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.61% from 2024 to 2031.
As to why industrial ultrasonic cleaner markets are growing, the report “projects significant market expansion (is) driven by technological advancements, increasing consumer demand, and regulatory support.”
Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaner Features and Benefits
Industrial ultrasonic cleaners are defined by task, not size. The features and benefits industrial ultrasonic cleaners provide to accomplish the task must be considered first. Then think about the size of the unit you need to do the job.
Here are some features and benefits to look for.
Read moreSpecifying a Large Ultrasonic Cleaner
In many cases ultrasonic energy is the “go to” solution when it comes to meeting challenges associated with cleaning large parts. Cleaning large parts calls for a large ultrasonic cleaner – one that accommodates parts size and has added features facilitating the entire cleaning cycle. This means more than considering a unit with the capacity to hold parts being cleaned.
Calculating Large Ultrasonic Cleaner Capacity
Remember the old saw about the guy who builds a boat then can’t get it out the door? When specifying an ultrasonic cleaner, the point to remember is parts must fit in the tank.
Read moreTop Ultrasonic Cleaner Markets
A report by Polaris Market Research citing ultrasonic cleaner market size through 2032 notes that ultrasonic cleaning “has become a preferred choice because it provides thorough and consistent cleaning, effectively eliminating contaminants, including from intricate and hard-to-reach areas.”
The Polaris report cites markets where ultrasonic cleaner machines find application. This post offers equipment and cleaning solution suggestions related to certain of these markets.
For information on the ultrasonic cleaning process please check how ultrasonic cleaners work.
Read moreUltrasonic Parts Cleaner Specification Tips
You most likely have parts cleaning challenges not easily resolved by brushes, solvents, wash tanks, sprays and other manual methods that fail to yield satisfactory results. These can all be solved with an ultrasonic parts cleaner.
Here you will learn that cleaning parts, whether new or refurbished, is best accomplished in an ultrasonic parts cleaner. And why mechanics, hobbyists, collectors, manufacturers and others dealing with dirt of most any type rely on an ultrasonic parts cleaner for fast, damage-free results.
Examples Where Ultrasonic Parts Cleaners Shine
- Ultrasonic cleaning eliminates risking damage that can result from manually removing post-molding contaminants such as flashing, grease and other residues from costly plastic injection molds.
- Ultrasonic parts cleaning is unsurpassed in terms of speed and thoroughness when it comes to removing dried grease, varnishes and other contaminants from carburetors, fuel injectors and other critical engine components.
- Cleaning diesel particulate and exhaust gas recirculation filters
- Cleaning once fired brass cartridge casings prior to reloading.
- Cleaning finely machined parts to remove cutting oils and abrasive compounds
- Nondestructive testing aircraft engine components as part of maintenance and operations
Read moreThe Role of Sonicator Baths in Sample Preparation
Sonicator baths are often employed for sample preparation steps in research and development activities. For example, a sonicator bath may be used to extract an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) from its carrier, or excipient, prior to conducting content uniformity and potency assay tests. Many USP monographs recommend using a sonicator bath to dissolve samples prior to analysis.
As noted in Chapter 8 of Optimization of Pharmaceutical Processes, “A growing need for developing novel technologies for obtaining better quality products with enhanced process efficiency has created promise for application of ultrasound in the area of food and pharmaceutical processing.”
The chapter “offers discussion on the governing mechanisms for the improvement based on the use of ultrasound, different ultrasonic reactor configurations, as well as the selection of operating conditions for the specific applications of encapsulation and crystallization.”
In chapter 2 of Sample Preparation of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, discussing agitation and particle size reduction, it is noted that “techniques include grinding, milling or blending, homogenization, and sonication.”
Read more