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.
A Degas Mode Speeds Solution Preparation in an Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaner
Freshly prepared ultrasonic cleaning solutions (referenced below) contain entrained air that inhibits cavitation.
Trapped air can be removed two ways – letting the equipment operate for a period of time without a load or specifying a cleaner with a degas mode for faster results.
A degas mode does its job by switching on and off causing air bubbles to coalesce, rise to the surface and burst. The time-saving benefit of a degas mode increases with the cleaning solution capacity of the industrial ultrasonic cleaner tank.
Sweep Mode Delivers Uniform Results
Sweep provides a slight ± fluctuation in the industrial cleaner’s ultrasonic frequency (described below) and serves to even out the cleaning action. This avoids what are called
- “Hot spots” or more intense and possibly damaging cavitation action
- “Dead zones” or no cleaning action, and
- Harmonic vibrations that can damage highly finished or delicate parts
Pulse Mode Removes Tenacious Contaminants
If you are cleaning products with particularly tenacious contaminants specify an industrial ultrasonic cleaner equipped with a pulse mode. Pulse mode boosts ultrasonic power to 20% on some models to remove stubborn contaminants.
Dynamic Mode Combines Sweep and Pulse
Pulse and sweep cannot operate simultaneously but equipment is available that automatically switches between the two. An example is the Elmasonic xtra ST series. The ultrasonic performance is temporarily increased while the even ultrasonic sound field distribution in the bath enhances the cleaning effect.
Ultrasonic Frequency
Ultrasonic frequency determines the size of cavitation bubbles that remove contaminants on products being cleaned. Lower frequencies such as 25 kHz (25,000 cycles per second) produce vigorous cleaning action and are ideal for removing tenacious contaminants on heavy metal parts.
Higher frequencies such as 45 kHz produce smaller cavitation bubbles better able to penetrate cracks, crevices, and are better suited for more delicate parts. The Elmasonic xtra ST industrial cleaners offer the choice of 25 or 45 kHz operation.
A ultrasonic frequency used in a wide range of applications is 37 kHz, offered in the benchtop Elma xtra TT series of industrial ultrasonic cleaners.
For more information on this important feature, check our post selecting ultrasonic cleaner frequency.
Heaters and Timers
Manufacturers of ultrasonic cleaning solutions (discussed below) provide recommended cleaning temperatures.
Industrial ultrasonic cleaners equipped with heaters speed the heating process, allowing you to begin cleaning your products sooner. This can be a real time saver when cleaning in large capacity tanks such as the 22-gallon Elma X-tra ST 800H.
Timers let you set and forget the ultrasonic cleaning cycle so you can attend to other matters. As an example, timing can be set from 1 to 30 minutes or continuous. To avoid potential damage, an automatic shut-off feature activates after 12 hours or if cleaning solution temperature becomes excessive.
Mobility
Bench-mounted industrial ultrasonic cleaners such as the Elmasonic xtra TT units most likely remain in place.
Large capacity floor-mounted units should be equipped with lockable rollers that allow movement to different locations in the shop. All that is required is a source of electrical power.
Easily Serviced Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaner
Downtime for a large industrial ultrasonic cleaner should be kept at a minimum.
Should electronics servicing be required for the floor-mounted Elma xtra ST series, the easily swapped-out one-piece control and generator assembly reduces downtime to a minimum. With a spare unit on hand there is no interruption to your operations while the primary electronics and control module is serviced.
Options to Prolong Cleaning Solution Effectiveness
Elma offers options that help increase the useful life of your cleaning solution – attractive features when working with large capacity industrial ultrasonic cleaners.
Contaminants removed during the ultrasonic cleaning process remain in the bath, either held in suspension or float to the top. Hard contaminants fall to the bottom of the tank.
A good practice is to physically remove loosely adhering contaminants prior to the cleaning cycle by using a rinse option with tap water.
After the items have been cleaned, spray rinse products with demineralized water to remove remaining residues. The rinse option can be table or wall mounted and is equipped with two rinsing wands, one for tap and one for demineralized water.
The filter option prolongs cleaning solution effectiveness by monitoring and removing contaminants and fine particles during cleaning cycles.
Benefits include extended bath effectiveness, lower water consumption and reduced tank erosion from settled particles.
When flow rate decreases due to contaminant buildup, filter cartridges are easily replaced by shop personnel.
A wheel-mounted table is an option that supports the rinsing system along with the cleaning basket. It is equipped with a splash guard, drip tray, and ball-valve drain to disposal.
These options are described by scrolling down to the xtra ST peripherals on the xtra ST Series details page.
Calculating Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaner Size
Determine how large the parts are that you will be cleaning. Here are suggestions:
- Measure the dimensions of largest parts you will be cleaning
- Select equipment having a tank that will accommodate them
- If you clean more than one part per cycle, keep them separated – not stacked
Because parts are cleaned in baskets (definitely not placed on the tank bottom) you’ll need to pay attention to the dimensions of the basket.
For example, the 42.8 gallon Elmasonic xtra ST1600H has tank dimensions 23.6 x 23.6 x 17.7 inches WDH. Its basket dimensions are 18.9 x 20.7 x 11.8 inches.
You’ll also need to know what is called the working depth of the cleaning fluid as it relates to the size of parts you’re cleaning. It is the distance from the inside bottom surface of the basket to the surface of the liquid in a filled industrial ultrasonic cleaner tank and is important because parts being cleaned must be fully immersed in the liquid.
Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaner – Cleaning Solutions
The correct cleaning solution chemistry is as important as ultrasonic frequency, operating features and other points covered in this post.
Most today’s ultrasonic cleaning solutions are biodegradable, meaning that they reduce or eliminate disposal concerns of the past. They are shipped as concentrates that are diluted with water then mixed in the cleaning tank by running the degas mode.
Our page on industrial ultrasonic cleaning solution formulations provides a useful guide to help you select those that meet your cleaning requirements.
In Closing –
An industrial ultrasonic cleaner is defined by what it does, not its size. These units typically operate over long-term cycles such as an 8 hour shift and offer features and benefits promoting thorough and efficient cleaning results.
Contact Tovatech for more information on selecting the right equipment and cleaning solution formulations to meet your requirements.
