An ultrasonic cleaner is a device that uses high-frequency sound waves—typically ranging from 20 to 200 kHz—to clean objects immersed in a liquid solution. Through a process called cavitation, it generates microscopic bubbles that collapse with great force, effectively removing contaminants from surfaces, including dirt, oil, rust, grease, pigments, biological material, and more. Ultrasonic cleaning is widely used in industrial, laboratory, medical, and even household settings because of its precision, efficiency, and ability to clean complex geometries.
How Does an Ultrasonic Cleaner Work?
At the heart of an ultrasonic cleaner is a transducer, usually piezoelectric, which converts electrical energy into high-frequency mechanical vibrations. These vibrations are transmitted through the walls of a tank filled with a cleaning solution. The sound waves generate alternating high- and low-pressure cycles in the liquid, forming cavitation bubbles. As these bubbles collapse, they release intense energy at a microscopic level, scrubbing away dirt and debris from even the smallest crevices and blind holes.
This method is highly effective because it cleans without abrasion, making it ideal for delicate items that would be damaged by manual cleaning or harsh chemicals. The process can take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour, depending on the level of contamination and the nature of the object.
Key Components and Design
An ultrasonic cleaner typically consists of the following:
- Tank: Made of stainless steel, sized from under 0.5 liters (small desktop units) to over 1000 liters (industrial systems).
- Transducer: Generates ultrasonic frequencies using materials like lead zirconate titanate (PZT).
- Generator: Supplies the electrical energy required for ultrasonic vibration.
- Heating Element (optional): Warms the solution to improve cleaning efficiency.
- Control Panel: Allows users to set time, temperature, and sometimes frequency.
The cleaning solution may be water-based or solvent-based, often containing detergents or surfactants to enhance cavitation and dissolve specific types of dirt (e.g., oil, protein, flux, or metal oxides).
What Can Be Cleaned?
Ultrasonic cleaners are incredibly versatile. They can clean:
- Jewelry and watches
- Medical and dental instruments
- Laboratory glassware and tools
- Electronic components (with caution)
- Optical lenses and camera parts
- Automotive and industrial machine parts
- Firearm components
- Printing nozzles and cartridges
- Coins, pens, and collectibles
Because ultrasonic cleaning is highly effective, it is particularly suitable for items with intricate internal structures, microscopic crevices, and delicate surfaces that are difficult or impossible to clean by conventional methods. This makes it ideal for cleaning precision instruments, surgical tools, electronic components and other sensitive items that require both thorough and gentle treatment.
Granbo ultrasonic cleaning machines are widely applied across diverse industries including biomedical laboratories, machinery manufacturing, food and catering, electronics, and commercial sectors. In the mechanical industry, they are used for degreasing and rust removal of parts, as well as pre-treatment before phosphating or coating. In surface treatment, they effectively remove carbon deposits and oxides before electroplating and spraying, and are ideal for cleaning stainless steel products, tools, locks, lighting fixtures, and jewelry.
In the electronics field, Granbo systems clean components such as LCD glass, high-voltage contacts, IC chips, semiconductors, and resistors. The medical sector relies on them for cleaning surgical tools, syringes, dental and endoscopic equipment, and lab glassware. In semiconductor manufacturing, they enable high-purity cleaning of wafers.
Granbo cleaners are also trusted in the watch and jewelry industry for removing polishing paste, oxides, and residue from intricate items. Other applications include optical lens cleaning, laboratory glassware in chemical and biological labs, spinnerets and spindles in textile production, and metal filters and containers in petrochemicals.
With advanced technology and comprehensive solutions, Granbo delivers reliable, efficient ultrasonic cleaning equipment to meet the high standards of modern industry. We welcome partners from all fields to join us in creating clean, high-performance environments.
Advantages of Ultrasonic Cleaning
Ultrasonic cleaning offers numerous benefits that set it apart from traditional cleaning methods such as manual scrubbing, soaking, spraying, or chemical baths. Below are the key advantages:
- Thorough and Consistent Cleaning, Even in Hard-to-Reach Areas
One of the most significant advantages of ultrasonic cleaning is its ability to reach every surface of an object, including blind holes, fine crevices, interior cavities, threads, and tight corners. Cavitation bubbles are small enough to penetrate spaces that brushes, sprays, or cloths cannot reach. This ensures uniform cleaning results across the entire object, even for highly complex shapes or delicate assemblies.
- Non-Destructive and Gentle on Delicate Materials
Unlike abrasive cleaning methods or harsh chemical baths, ultrasonic cleaning is non-contact. The cleaning action is generated by microscopic pressure changes in liquid—not physical force—so there is no scratching, deformation, or erosion. This makes it ideal for cleaning fragile items such as fine jewelry, lenses, medical tools, thin metals, or precision electronics.
- Highly Efficient and Time-Saving
Ultrasonic cleaners can clean multiple items simultaneously and usually complete a full cleaning cycle in just a few minutes. There’s no need for pre-soaking or disassembling complex components in many cases. This makes ultrasonic cleaning extremely efficient for both batch processing in industrial use and single-item cleaning in labs or workshops.
- Reduces or Eliminates the Need for Harsh Chemicals
Because ultrasonic cleaning relies on cavitation and agitation, it often requires less chemical concentration, or in some cases, only distilled water with a mild detergent. This reduces exposure to toxic or corrosive substances for users and minimizes chemical waste, making the process more environmentally friendly and safer for both the operator and the cleaned items.
- Suitable for a Wide Range of Materials and Contaminants
Ultrasonic cleaners can be used on metals, plastics, ceramics, glass, rubber, and composites, provided the material is not chemically reactive to the solution. It effectively removes contaminants such as:
- Grease and oil
- Rust and corrosion
- Dust, dirt, and soot
- Flux residue and soldering debris
- Ink, paint, and pigments
- Blood, tissue, and biological deposits
- Polishing and buffing compounds
This flexibility allows it to serve multiple industries including healthcare, electronics, aerospace, automotive, watchmaking, and research.
- Minimizes Manual Labor and Operator Fatigue
Because the cleaning process is automated, it requires minimal human intervention. The user simply places the item in the basket, sets the timer and temperature, and lets the machine do the work. This reduces operator fatigue, eliminates variability from manual scrubbing, and frees up time for other tasks—especially valuable in production and laboratory environments.
- Safe and Controlled Process with Repeatable Results
Ultrasonic cleaners offer precise control over cleaning time, temperature, and solution composition, making the process highly repeatable and consistent. For industries like pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and electronics, where cleaning must meet strict quality standards, ultrasonic cleaning offers reliable, validated results with lower risk of error.
- Reduces Wear and Tear on Parts
Unlike mechanical brushing or jet spraying, ultrasonic cleaning does not wear down edges, coatings, or fine details. This extends the lifespan of components—especially precision tools, surgical instruments, and reusable labware—by preserving their surface integrity even after repeated cleaning cycles.
- Energy-Efficient and Cost-Effective Over Time
While the initial cost of an ultrasonic cleaner may be higher than traditional cleaning setups, it saves money long term through reduced labor, chemical consumption, water usage, and part replacement. High throughput and low failure rates also contribute to operational efficiency, especially in industrial and professional use cases.
Ultrasonic Cleaning Solutions
While some cleaning tasks can be performed with plain distilled water, most applications benefit from using formulated ultrasonic cleaning solutions. These typically include:
- Surfactants: Reduce surface tension to improve cavitation
- Alkaline detergents: Effective for removing oils and proteins
- Acid-based cleaners: Used (with care) for rust or mineral scale
- Enzyme solutions: Ideal for biological contaminants
Solution selection depends on the material of the object and the type of contamination.
Conclusion
An ultrasonic cleaner is a powerful, precise, and time-efficient cleaning tool that has revolutionized how we clean delicate, complex, and contamination-sensitive items. From jewelry shops to hospitals, and from laboratories to industrial plants, ultrasonic cleaning plays a key role in maintaining hygiene, performance, and quality. Whether you’re removing flux from a circuit board or restoring antique metal parts, the technology behind ultrasonic cleaning offers a modern solution that’s both gentle and remarkably effective.
