An ultrasonic cleaning machine is one of the most efficient devices for the removal of grease, oil, dust, carbon residues, and various contaminants from industrial and precision components. Nevertheless, the purchase of advanced equipment is not sufficient to achieve the desired results. The operation of such equipment is equally important to get excellent cleaning performance. Small errors will reduce cleaning performance, damage sensitive components, shorten equipment life, and increase expenses.

In many industrial sectors in the USA and worldwide, these errors happen more often than operators imagine. It is possible to improve the results of ultrasonic cleaning and protect equipment from damage by understanding how ultrasonic cleaning works and avoiding these costly mistakes.

 1. Using the Wrong Solution in an ultrasonic cleaning machine for Chemicals

The main mistake in the use of ultrasonic cleaning machines is related to the choice of cleaning solution. Sometimes, water alone is insufficient, while the use of chemicals can damage the machine and components.

Do not use the following substances in an ultrasonic cleaning machine for Chemicals: bleach, ammonia, gasoline, alcohol, acetone, and other flammable solvents. Such substances may destroy the stainless steel tank, produce toxic fumes, and increase the risk of fire and explosions.

In order to get excellent results, always use manufacturer recommended, water based cleaning solution that is intended for cleaning a particular type of material.

2. Operating the Tank Empty or Underfilled

Operating the machine without a sufficient amount of liquid may lead to serious damage.

Operating the machine without a sufficient amount of liquid may lead to serious damage.

Make sure that the tank is filled before every cleaning cycle with the recommended amount of cleaning solution. Moreover, make sure that the solution covers the components completely.

3. Operating the Tank with Overloaded Components

Many people think that cleaning of more components at once increases the efficiency of the process. Nevertheless, this is not the case.

Overloading prevents the circulation of ultrasonic waves through the tank. This leads to a reduction of the cavitation effect and incomplete cleaning of certain surfaces due to mutual blocking of components.

Arrange components in the tank with some distance between them. Baskets or suspension racks will help to prevent direct contact with the tank and increase cleaning efficiency.

4. Omitting the Degassing Process

A fresh solution always contains dissolved air. These gases interfere with cavitation and reduce cleaning effectiveness.

Before loading the components into the tank, run the machine with an empty tank containing only cleaning solution for about 5 to 30 minutes. This degassing process eliminates gases and restores the full strength of the cavitation effect.

Omitting this step is one of the easiest ways to improve cleaning consistency.

5. Putting Components on the Tank Bottom

Another error in operating an ultrasonic cleaning machine is putting the components on the bottom of the cleaning tank.

This direct contact of components with the bottom of the tank leads to their damage and corrosion of the stainless steel tank.

Always use baskets, trays, or suspension systems. It is an easy way to protect equipment and to improve the circulation of ultrasonic waves around each component.

6. Neglecting Regular Maintenance

Even the high quality equipment needs regular maintenance in order to work properly.

Deteriorated cleaning solution, sludge, clogged filters, and aged cables reduce cleaning performance. In the end, neglect of maintenance leads to the failure of the equipment.

After each cleaning cycle, if needed, drain the solution, clean the tank, check the electric cables, and perform other maintenance steps according to the schedule provided by the manufacturer. Preventive maintenance is usually cheaper than the repair of equipment or its replacement.

7. Cleaning Non-compatible Materials

Not all materials should be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaning machine.

Soft plastics, pearls, opals, porous ceramics, glued assemblies, rubber bonded components, and sealed electronic components may crack, loosen, warp, or get damaged during ultrasonic cleaning.

Verify the compatibility of the material with the ultrasonic cleaning machine before the beginning of each cleaning cycle. For some sensitive chemical applications, use an ultrasonic cleaning machine for Chemicals.

Conclusion

Proper usage of the ultrasonic cleaning machine is the key to getting reliable cleaning performance, longer equipment life, and lower expenses. Choosing the appropriate cleaning solution, maintaining the required fluid level, avoiding overloading of the tank, performing the degassing process, using baskets, performing the maintenance regularly, and checking compatibility of the material with ultrasonic cleaning are the ways to get consistent high quality results. These rules are widely used in many industries in the USA because they improve the efficiency of the process while reducing downtime and costly equipment failures.

Being the high technology company with strong production, research, and development capacities, RTUL Group International provides advanced ultrasonic solutions that are trusted in industries worldwide. Contact RTUL Group International now to find out the perfect ultrasonic cleaning solution for your application.