RND: Everything You Need to Know About Ultrasonic Cleaners

25 Aug.,2025

 

RND: Everything You Need to Know About Ultrasonic Cleaners

What is Ultrasonic Cleaning?

An ultrasonic cleaner is a sophisticated tool for cleaning a variety of objects, particularly those with hard-to-reach areas or complex components that manual cleaning methods struggle with. Ultrasonic cleaning technology has become essential in sectors like electronics, healthcare, jewellery, aerospace, dental and automotive, offering an ultrasonic cleaning bath that meticulously cleans every nook and cranny.

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Professionals in manufacturing, technical services, and engineering can reap significant advantages from an ultrasonic cleaner. This technology not only extends the life and performance of components but also promotes consistent operation by leveraging powerful ultrasonic cleaning capabilities to minimise downtime.

Continue exploring to understand the factors contributing to the efficiency and popularity of ultrasonic cleaner technology in a multitude of fields.

How Does an Ultrasonic Cleaner Work?

The secret behind the effectiveness of an ultrasonic cleaner is cavitation. This phenomenon involves the generation of sound waves through mechanical vibrations in a liquid, leading to the formation and implosion of microscopic bubbles. The implosions which occur within ultrasonic baths bombard the items being cleaned, stripping away grime and debris efficiently without the need for abrasive chemicals.

Items should be arranged in a basket, tray, or glass beaker before immersion in the chosen cleaning fluid to maximise the performance of an ultrasonic bath. The cavitation effect ensures a thorough and even cleanse across the ultrasonic cleaning bath, accessing even the smallest crevices and tight spaces that alternative cleaning methods may overlook. Depending on the application, the cleaning fluid may be water-based, which supports environmental sustainability or solvent-based for a more potent clean.

What Does an Ultrasonic Cleaner Consist of?

An ultrasonic cleaner consists of three parts:

  • The generator
  • The transducer
  • The tank

The Generator

At its core, the generator serves as the heartbeat of an ultrasonic cleaner, transforming AC power from a standard wall outlet into an electrical frequency that activates the transducer, thus driving the ultrasonic cleaning process.

The Transducer

The transducer stands as the pivotal element that produces ultrasonic vibrations within an ultrasonic cleaner, operating at frequencies above the level of human hearing. In regions like Europe and Asia, the majority of ultrasonic cleaners incorporate piezoelectric crystals that convert electrical impulses into ultrasonic energy. These crystals respond to electrical currents and change in size and shape, resulting in consistent linear vibrations. Modern ultrasonic cleaning systems favour ceramic transducers over their metallic counterparts for a more delicate yet efficacious cleaning touch, strategically installed beneath the tank to propagate vibrations.

The Tank

Within the ultrasonic cleaning bath, the component, cleaning solution, and the specifically designed basket, tray, or glass jar for submerging the item coexist. Tanks for ultrasonic cleaner baths come in various sizes to hold different volumes of solvent. Distrelec’s own brand, RND, offers a selection that includes a variety of ultrasonic bath sizes, each engineered to meet diverse requirements. These digital ultrasonic cleaners are not only equipped with a basket but also boast advanced temperature control and timer functions for precise cleaning cycles.

Benefits of Using an Ultrasonic Cleaner

  1. Gentle cleaning: For items that demand a delicate touch, such as intricate mechanical components, the ultrasonic cleaner is perfect. These devices meticulously cleanse by penetrating tiny crevices, effectively eliminating residue without causing harm, leveraging the cavitation effect of ultrasonic cleaning technology.
  2. Versatile: Ultrasonic cleaners are a multipurpose asset across various industries. Automotive professionals utilise ultrasonic parts cleaners to meticulously remove lubricants or debris from machinery, while dental and laboratory settings depend on these ultrasonic cleaners for sterilising dental instruments and purifying glassware.
  3. Efficient: Ultrasonic cleaning is synonymous with efficiency, outperforming other methods by conserving water, showcasing energy efficiency, and accelerating the cleaning process to a remarkable degree.
  4. Safer: The ultrasonic cleaner not only prevents exposure to harmful fumes but also minimises injury risks associated with handling sharp objects, thus offering a safer alternative for cleaning in any work environment.
  5. Convenient and easy – Using an ultrasonic cleaner is a breeze: just place the part along with the detergent into the tank, and let the ultrasonic cleaning equipment do its job. This allows operators the freedom to attend to other duties while the cleaning cycle operates autonomously.

Why Choose an RND Ultrasonic Cleaner?

RND’s digital ultrasonic cleaner models are engineered to offer an automated and uniform cleaning experience, featuring high-end specifications for unparalleled performance. The ultrasonic cleaner series from RND enhances usability with three distinct power modes and essential features, such as fluid temperature regulation and cleaning cycle timers, demonstrating the sophistication of RND’s digital ultrasonic cleaners.

  • Easy-to-read digital display.
  • Robust ultrasonic tanks made from stainless steel.
  • Time selector for an automated and consistent process.
  • Heat selector for more suitable temperatures.
  • Energy-efficient (lower water consumption).
  • Comes with a basket and lid as standard.

RND: How to Use an Ultrasonic Cleaner

Cleaning Modes

All of RND’s digital ultrasonic cleaners have three cleaning modes to help achieve the best performance for the task: degas, delicate and full. Each mode is meticulously designed to boost the efficiency of the ultrasonic cleaner, ensuring superior cleaning outcomes.

Degas

Activating a degas cycle is a crucial step before submerging objects into the ultrasonic cleaner’s basin. This procedure ejects gases from the cleaning fluid, enhancing the liquid’s surface tension and promoting a more comprehensive and efficient cleaning process.

Delicate

For fragile items, the delicate mode on the ultrasonic cleaner reduces the power output by half, safeguarding sensitive materials. Employing this mode in conjunction with a tailored ultrasonic cleaning solution can achieve the best results for delicate components.

Full

When dealing with heavily soiled objects, the full power mode of the ultrasonic cleaner is the go-to option. Leveraging the device’s peak power along with precise temperature control and an appropriate cleaning solution ensures a strong and all-encompassing clean.

How to Clean

General cleaning

For lightly soiled items, employing the ultrasonic cleaner with warm water at 40°C is recommended. Commence with the degas mode, then determine the cleaning time based on the item—generally, a span of 2-10 minutes is sufficient for an exhaustive clean, though some objects might need an additional cycle to fully remove all impurities.

Ultrasonic cleaners that feature extended cycle times present a practical solution for those in search of a device that delivers effective performance with little supervision, guaranteeing a steady degree of ultrasonic cleaning without the need for constant attention.

Enhanced cleaning

In scenarios where parts require deeper cleaning, incorporating an ultrasonic solution into the water of your ultrasonic cleaner is advisable. It’s beneficial to adjust the cleaner’s temperature to a warmer range to clean more efficiently, ideally between 40°C and 60°C, which can significantly boost the ultrasonic cleaning process.

Extensive cleaning

When faced with tenacious dirt, such as heavy carbon deposits or rust on bare metal surfaces, employing an ultrasonic cleaner becomes crucial for a comprehensive cleaning experience. Begin by soaking the items in a strong ultrasonic solution, followed by engaging the full ultrasonic cleaning mode at an elevated temperature to achieve the best results.

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How to Choose the Best Ultrasonic Cleaner for Your Application

Considering that ultrasonic cleaners represent a considerable investment, ensuring you select the best ultrasonic cleaner tailored to your needs is vital. Reflect on these factors carefully before finalising your purchase to make a well-informed decision.

Size

Industrial ultrasonic cleaners come in various sizes to suit different cleaning tasks or parts. Prior to purchasing, evaluate the size and volume of the components you plan to clean. If you anticipate cleaning numerous small parts, a larger model of an industrial ultrasonic cleaner might be the most efficient choice.

The dimensions of the baskets within an ultrasonic cleaner are critical, as they hold the items in place during the cleaning cycle. For an all-encompassing clean, parts should typically be submerged entirely. Hence, knowing the working depth of the cleaner’s fluid is essential for the ultrasonic cleaner to perform effectively.

For tasks that involve cleaning elongated objects, the 10 litre ultrasonic cleaner from RND is designed to cater to longer items, guaranteeing a snug fit and exceptional cleaning performance.

Ultrasonic Frequency

Most ultrasonic cleaners operate within the optimal frequency range of 35kHz to 45kHz, which is appropriate for diverse cleaning applications. However, for more demanding cleaning tasks, such as eliminating polishing pastes or lapping abrasives, utilising an ultrasonic cleaner at a lower frequency, like 25 kHz, can be notably more effective.

The fundamental concept is straightforward: the lower the frequency of the ultrasonic cleaner, the bigger the cavitation bubbles generated. These more significant cavitation bubbles lead to powerful implosions, making them highly effective at removing stubborn contaminants. On the flip side, higher frequencies, typically between 80 to 130 kHz, are better suited for the delicate cleaning of soft metals and intricate electronics, providing a gentle yet thorough cleaning experience.

25kHz – When set to its most vigorous setting, the ultrasonic cleaner excels at removing strong pollution, representing the pinnacle of its cleaning capabilities. However, it’s imperative to steer clear of this setting for fragile materials like glass to avert any potential harm.

40kHz – Functioning at its standard frequency power, the ultrasonic cleaner demonstrates proficiency in purging a wide spectrum of materials from impurities, underscoring its adaptability and cleaning prowess.

80kHz – Optimised for items with elaborate designs and hard-to-reach areas, the ultrasonic cleaner at this particular frequency ensures deep penetration of cavitation bubbles into tiny spaces, achieving thorough decontamination.

120 kHz and megasonic – For components requiring meticulous care, such as precision optics and highly sensitive parts, this frequency setting of the ultrasonic cleaner is the go-to option. It’s also the ideal choice for the final cleaning phase, ensuring the removal of any residual dust from already clean components.

Ultrasonic Temperature

Incorporating a heated solution can significantly boost the speed and effectiveness of the cleaning process. Certain ultrasonic cleaners are outfitted with thermostat-controlled heaters, which permit precise temperature modifications to further enhance the cleaning results.

Accessories for Ultrasonic Cleaners

On the Distrelec webshop, you can find a range of ultrasonic cleaning accessories from RND. Some of the main ones include baskets and beakers. 

Baskets

Each RND Ultrasonic Cleaner comes complete with a perfectly sized wire mesh basket, enhancing the device’s functionality. Customers have the option to purchase additional baskets, too. Baskets are recommended to evenly distribute ultrasonic waves and prevent hot spots during the cleaning cycle. All baskets are thoughtfully designed with handles that conveniently extend over the bath lip for secure and effortless handling.

Glass beakers

Beakers are the perfect container for small parts like electronic components and jewellery. Beakers are suspended in the tank with the appropriate basket, and the solution is only required in the beaker. Separating parts to individual beakers enables the user to group components together and use two different solutions at the same time whilst lowering the amount of solution needed. The beakers are made from borosilicate glass, which is a type of glass that is more resistant to rapid temperature changes. Using the jar means that items don’t get lost, and cleaning is faster.

Glass beaker baskets

The Distrelec webshop extends its range of ultrasonic accessories to include baskets for glass beakers, which are meticulously designed to securely hold the glass beakers within the ultrasonic cleaner’s tank. These baskets for glass beakers prevent spillage and guarantee safe handling, with a variety of sizes available to fit different beaker dimensions, ensuring a snug and secure fit for optimal cleaning. They are also available in bundles with the glass jars. 

Ultrasonic Cleaner Tips

Here are some maintenance tips that will keep your ultrasonic cleaner in fantastic condition:

The company is the world’s best Ultrasonic Cleaning Equipment supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

  • It’s imperative to maintain the correct solution level in your ultrasonic cleaner to safeguard the machine’s transducer and ensure its longevity. Operating the ultrasonic cleaner with a low solution level can be detrimental, so keeping the solution adequately filled is a key aspect of proper ultrasonic cleaner maintenance.
  • To maintain the integrity of both the item being cleaned and the ultrasonic cleaner’s tank, it is important to prevent the item from coming into direct contact with the tank’s bottom as it can scratch the machine.
  • Don’t use solutions with high levels of acid or alkaline.
  • Don’t slope the solution to prevent it from running into the device.
  • Make sure the machine doesn’t sit on a wet surface.
  • Regular and meticulous maintenance of your ultrasonic cleaning machine is crucial to ensure it delivers peak performance. Proper upkeep of the cleaner not only prolongs its life but also guarantees that it consistently provides exceptional cleaning results.

RND Ultrasonic Cleaning Tank 36L

Borosilicate Glass Cleaning Beaker 300ml

RND Ultrasonic Cleaning Basket for 36L Tank

Frequently Asked Questions

Ultrasonic Cleaner Questions. | Friendly Metal Detecting Forum

Hello Everyone,
Hope everyone is well, I just had a couple questions about the Ultrasonic Cleaner I just ended up buying. I remember a bunch of people within the community mentioned they have and very much like their Ultrasonic Cleaners but it's all new to me so I wanted to ask a couple questions about them before I dive into using it. THIS is the Ultrasonic Cleaner that I ended up getting for now, I actually will probably end up buying another one that is bigger but for now I am going to see how it does with some of the stuff I have in store for it for now. The reason I will probably end up buying another one is because I own a Reseller Business and I always go above and beyond with the items I sell and make sure to have the items I am selling in the best condition that is physically possible. To be honest, I don't know why I haven't got a Ultrasonic Cleaner sooner because I've heard nothing but great things about them. So for right now this little 2L Ultrasonic Cleaner is a nice little starter machine and will let me see the limitations of them etc. Before I get into the questions I figured I would also show the other machines I am also looking at for the future that way if someone also had some experiences or suggestions or tips about the other machines maybe you could chime in with those as well. There are 4 of them that I am currently looking at, I don't think I will need anything larger than a 15L Ultrasonic Cleaner because my Business is a 100% online business in which I ship 95% of everything that I sell, so I don't usually end up selling items that are crazy expensive to ship. So here is Option #1, Option # 2, Option # 3 & Option # 4.

So that being said, let's go back to the 2L Ultrasonic Cleaner that I currently have and go from there. So I have been doing some research and I have heard some people say using regular ol' tap water is 100% fine and don't need anything more than that, but I have also had some people say using Distilled Water and/or De-Ionized Water is best used in the Ultrasonic Cleaners, from your guys personal experiences with them, do you see any differences in the types of water used with them? Also along side that with people saying regular ol' water is fine, again I have had several people mention that there is particular solutions like THIS that is worth using as well, but some people also told me if I wanted a little extra cleaning power to just add a bit of liquid dish soap to the water as well. Is any of these things true? Or is it kind of like come down to what you're cleaning? One of the things I sell quite a bit of is Men's Watches, and I always usually break them down and clean them by hand, replace batteries, and polish them, etc. But now that I have the Ultrasonic Cleaner, I feel like the Ultrasonic Cleaner is going to make life a lot easier when it comes down to getting the watches as clean as possible but I also want to make sure I am using the correct water and/or solutions for the watches as well.

Another thing I wanted to ask is about regular maintenance on the machine itself, do you guys recommend anything specific to use to clean the machine itself and the basket? I was told to just make sure to clean it regularly and I could just use some Simple Green to clean it with, I also really like the Multi-surface cleaner called "The Pink Stuff by Stardrops" that works very well for well lol multi surfaces but I feel like Simple Green would definitely be the better choice between the two for cleaning the Ultrasonic Cleaner, but was wondering if you guys have a preferred product for cleaning you machines from personal experiences, etc.

Also any other information or tips that you guys have for using the Ultrasonic Cleaner please just let me know, in the past (for my business and cleaning) I have always used my Steam Cleaner for cleaning deep down into the small areas, etc. And I really enjoy using my Steam Cleaner as well, ro you guys think the using the Steam Cleaner is the better option for some things? And if so, what kind of things do you think I should stick with the Steam Cleaner with?

Thanks Everyone in advance for any help you're able to pass my way. This community has always been awesome with some of the best people!
-Rich aka GetDiggin (soon to be "Detect. Dig. Repeat." On YouTube)