There’s no need to overbuy when it comes to choosing an ultrasonic cleaning system. Once you’ve decided you want the contaminant removal efficiency, safe detergent solutions, and energy savings afforded by ultrasonic cleaners, the next step is to choose the appropriate size of the unit you need. There are plenty of choices from tabletop to industrial-sized units.
Tabletop Units – Tabletop ultrasonic cleaning units are portable, and range in size from about three-quarters of a gallon up to 8-gallon capacities. Tabletop ultrasonic cleaners are ideal for cleaning small gears and bearings, optical components, machined parts, automotive mechanisms like carburetors or brake master cylinders, and surgical equipment.
They also work wonderfully for cleaning and restoring fine jewelry, family heirlooms, and decorative items like copper bowls, crystal vases, gilded dinnerware, and silver service sets.
Benchtop Units – Benchtop ultrasonic cleaning units are the next step up from tabletop cleaners, ranging in size from 10 to 25 gallons in size. Benchtop cleaners are small, rugged units designed for continuous industrial service. These ultrasonic cleaners are ideal for small businesses that need rapid, accurate, and thorough cleaning of parts and components, yet don’ t have the space for a full-size unit.
They are used routinely in places like engine rebuild, small motor repair, and power sports shops that want to get carbon deposits, oil, grease, and corrosion off of small motors & motor parts.
Full-size Units – Full-size ultrasonic cleaning machines are commonly thought of as industrial parts cleaners, because that’s their strength. They range in size from 25 to over 100 gallon capacities, and are made to handle either extremely large parts, or large volumes of small parts in a continuous-production operation.
These ultrasonic cleaners can be single-stage cleaners or multi-stage cleaners that also incorporate the rinsing and drying process into the cleaning stage. Full-size units are ideal for cleaning high-volumes of machined parts, aerospace components, and larger engines and motors, among many other hard-to-clean components that must be ultra-clean before moving on to the next step in the manufacturing process.
The key to choosing the right ultrasonic cleaning system for your needs is to be realistic about what it is you’re doing, and how often you plan on doing it. For continuous use and high throughput, benchtop or full-size units are better choices. For smaller parts or occasional cleaning needs, a tabletop unit may fit your needs.
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