An ultrasonic cleaner can be a useful tool for cleaning items like jewellery, tools and mechanical parts. It can also be used to clean and sterilise medical equipment and even homeware. Regardless of its use, it’s important to understand how to properly operate and use an ultrasonic cleaner to avoid any damage or malfunction.
Before using an ultrasonic cleaner, it’s essential to prepare the items for cleaning by wiping and/or washing them with neutral pH soap. This will remove any visible dirt and debris, which will speed up the process. It’s also recommended to run the cleaner for 10 minutes before placing items in it to degas the solution. For a Large Ultrasonic Cleaner, go to hilsonic.co.uk
Once the tank is filled with water, it’s recommended to use a high-quality cleaning solution such as an enzymatic cleaner that’s compatible with your particular ultrasonic cleaner. The amount of solution to use will vary depending on the size and volume of the tank. The tank should be filled to about two-thirds of its total capacity in order to produce optimal results. An incorrectly filled tank can damage the ultrasonic transducer(s) and/or heating elements within the cleaner.
When the cleaning cycle is completed, it’s vital to drain and rinse the tank. This will flush out any lingering residues, which can reduce cleaning efficiency and cause damage to your objects. You should also regularly change your ultrasonic cleaning solution to avoid it becoming contaminated, which can result in poor cleaning performance.
Cavitation erosion is a process that damages the base material of an object when left for too long in an ultrasonic cleaner. This results in small pits on the surface of your items, which can be quite noticeable if they’re made from materials such as polished aluminium or specific types of plastic such as carbon fibre reinforced plastics. To test whether or not your ultrasonic cleaner has developed cavitation erosion, place a piece of household aluminium foil into the tank and run it for a few minutes. When the cleaning cycle is finished, remove the foil and inspect it for perforations on its surface.
It’s also a good idea to avoid cleaning any objects that are likely to rust in an ultrasonic cleaner, such as stainless steel. Adding a rust inhibitor to the cleaning solution can help prevent this from happening. This is particularly important when cleaning metal items such as drill bits and taps. Having them rusted can significantly damage their quality and reduce the lifespan of your tools.
