One of the first if not the first point in selecting an ultrasonic cleaner is the ultrasonic cleaner capacity. By capacity we mean not the size of the ultrasonic cleaner itself but the size, or dimensions, of the cleaning tank. That’s where cleaning action takes place. If the parts you want to clean can’t be completely immersed in the ultrasonic cleaning solution, you have a problem. This post helps you calculate your ultrasonic cleaner capacity.
Two Basic Approaches to Ultrasonic Cleaner Capacity
You can specify an ultrasonic cleaner in terms of cleaning solution capacity or its ability to completely immerse parts being cleaned. A simple illustration: There’s not much depth to a gallon of water in an 8 quart baking pan. Contrast that depth to a gallon of water in a gallon water jug.
With that in mind, let’s proceed.
Fortunately, ultrasonic cleaners are manufactured in a tremendous variety of sizes. And as suggested, there are two approaches to sizes when speaking in terms of ultrasonic cleaner capacity.
First, “size” can be defined in terms of the tank’s cleaning solution capacity. Second, “size” can be defined in terms of tank dimensions, or its ability to accommodate parts being cleaned.
As you can see by checking our page on the Elmasonic E Plus series, there is a selection 9 tank capacities from 0.25 to 7.5 gallons, all with differing tank dimensions, offered in this series. Industrial-sized units such as the xtra ST series can hold up to 67.4 gallons. Larger-capacity units are also available.
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Industrial 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 specifying a large ultrasonic cleaner – one that accommodates parts size and has added features facilitating the entire cleaning cycle.
This means specifying a large ultrasonic cleaner requires more than considering a unit with the capacity to hold parts being cleaned. But even that requires some thought. That’s why we start with
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 moreCleaning Solutions for Ultrasonic Cleaning Tasks
The old saw “the key to good work is using the right tool for the job” applies equally well to ultrasonic cleaning jobs. In this case the “tool” is selecting one of the many ultrasonic cleaning solutions available to assure the desired results. As you will learn here, there are many cleaning solution formulas available. This post will help you make the right choice(s). There may be instances where you may need more than one formula.
The Ultrasonic Cleaning Solutions Market
Definitions might seem confusing. In some cases cleaning solutions are called chemicals, in other cases “soaps.” In any case, these solutions represent a major market. According to a Dataintelo report “The ultrasonic cleaning chemicals market was valued at USD 2.1 billion in 2018. The report projects a “CAGR of 4.4% during 2019-2030.”
First Step in Cleaning Solutions Selection
To help assure best results, you must be aware of these critical points.
- What is being cleaned? As you might surmise the requirements to clean engine and drive train assemblies, plastic injection molds, PCBs, and surgical instruments vary substantially.
- What are the contaminants? Gross deposits of grease and grime; burned on residues, oils, flashing and grease; solder flux, blood and other contaminants require different procedures.
- What is the product made of? Aluminum, steel, glass, plastic, and composites are examples. (Note that chromium-plated products are not suitable for cleaning with ultrasonic energy.)
- Product configuration is important. Simple? Complex? Characterized by blind or narrow holes?
- Are there post-cleaning requirements? Some may require one or more rinsing steps to remove cleaning bath residues either for sanitation reasons or to prepare the product for further finishing steps such as painting, plating or powder coating.
Read moreSelecting Ultrasonic Cleaner Frequency
Ultrasonic frequency is a key selection criterion when operating an ultrasonic cleaner. The correct frequency yields superior results in terms of efficiency, thoroughness, and in certain cases avoiding damage to parts being cleaned. Moreover, there are projects where more than one frequency is recommended, or when you are cleaning a variety of products calling for different ultrasonic frequencies.
Read moreUltrasonic Cleaning Plastic Injection Molds
The global plastic injection molding machine market was valued at $10.4 billion in 2022 and projected to grow to $12.4 billion by 2027 according to a Markets and Markets report. Unrecognized in such reports are the importance and costs of plastic injection molds that support this growth and the role of ultrasonic cleaning in plastic injection mold maintenance.
Ultrasonic Cleaning and Injection Mold Maintenance
According to Rex Plastics, “A small and simple single cavity plastic injection mold usually costs between $1,000 and $5,000. Very large or complex molds may cost as much as $80,000 or more. On average, a typical mold that produces a relatively simple part small enough to hold in your hand costs around $12,000.”
For cost reasons alone injection mold maintenance should figure high on a list of priorities for companies involved in producing injection-molded parts. Here you’ll learn how ultrasonic cleaning plastic injection molds preserves investments without causing wear or the use of harsh chemicals.
Read moreClean Lab Test Sieves with an Ultrasonic Cleaner
Ultrasonic energy proves highly effective in removing particles trapped in fine mesh lab test sieves. Ultrasonic cleaning is fast, avoids potential damage caused by brushing, and can achieve 100% particle removal. This post describes two ultrasonic cleaner configurations to clean test sieves and find additional utility in food and pharmaceutical research labs.
Clean 4 Sieves With an Electric Sieve Rotation Holder
The electrically powered SRH 4/200 sieve rotation holder offered by Elma ultrasonic cleaners holds up to 4, 200-mm (8 inch) lab sieves. Clamped in a slightly canted position they are rotated into and out of a cleaning solution in an ultrasonic unit described below. Because the screens are canted, particles fall to the bottom of the ultrasonic cleaner tank.
Read moreUltrasonic Cleaner Capacity Selection Tips
One of the first if not the first point in selecting an ultrasonic cleaner is the ultrasonic cleaner capacity. By capacity we mean not the size of the ultrasonic cleaner itself but the size, or dimensions, of the cleaning tank. That’s where cleaning action takes place. If the parts you want to clean can’t be completely immersed in the ultrasonic cleaning solution, you have a problem. This post helps you calculate your ultrasonic cleaner capacity.
Two Basic Approaches to Ultrasonic Cleaner Capacity
You can specify an ultrasonic cleaner in terms of cleaning solution capacity or its ability to completely immerse parts being cleaned. A simple illustration: There’s not much depth to a gallon of water in an 8 quart baking pan. Contrast that depth to a gallon of water in a gallon water jug.
With that in mind, let’s proceed.
Fortunately, ultrasonic cleaners are manufactured in a tremendous variety of sizes. And as suggested, there are two approaches to sizes when speaking in terms of ultrasonic cleaner capacity.
First, “size” can be defined in terms of the tank’s cleaning solution capacity. Second, “size” can be defined in terms of tank dimensions, or its ability to accommodate parts being cleaned.
As you can see by checking our page on the Elmasonic E Plus series, there is a selection 9 tank capacities from 0.25 to 7.5 gallons, all with differing tank dimensions, offered in this series. Industrial-sized units such as the xtra ST series can hold up to 67.4 gallons. Larger-capacity units are also available.
Read more