ozzy_scl
08-31-2009, 11:56 AM
I decided to contribute with something I thought was needed a bit here.
A guide for Ultrasonic Cleaning, by no means I am an expert, but after some reading, experimentation and loads of curiosity I have come to some good results.
I hope this little guide will be helpful and if you wish, you can contribute aswell, after all we're a comunity, and as such is built by us all.
First a bit of history
The ultrasonic generator converts electrical energy from the line which is typically alternating current at 50 or 60Hz to electrical energy at the ultrasonic frequency. This is accomplished in a number of ways by various equipment manufacturers. Current ultrasonic generators nearly all use solid state technology.
http://www.blackstone-ney.com/images/fu-fig10.gif
There have been several relatively recent innovations in ultrasonic generator technology which may enhance the effectiveness of ultrasonic cleaning equipment. These include square wave outputs, slowly or rapidly pulsing the ultrasonic energy on and off and modulating or "sweeping" the frequency of the generator output around the central operating frequency. The most advanced ultrasonic generators have provisions for adjusting a variety of output parameters to customize the ultrasonic energy output for the task.
Now What do we need?
In terms of our needs, a cleaner with a 50w output would be sufficient, is said that the more watts, the better the cleaning. Personally I own a 50w and 42khz ultrasonic frequency with a 750ml tank. And is just perfect for me, as I do razor cleaning, plus some jewlery.
There are bigger and more powerful cleaners, but that come to a cost, so If you're planning on buying one, just for cleaning razors, I would suggest something similar to mine.
The cleaning process is quite simple, after some scrubbing with a toothbrush, you can place the item in the cleaner (note that you can skip the toothbrush process, but there are cases in which the ultrasonic, may not be enough).
Do a few minutes cycle and check, repeat as needed, rinse, dry and polish.
I have noticed that after ultrasonic cleaning, razors, neclases, and most items cleaned, are left with a nice shine, not achieved with regular cleaning.
There are ready made solutions, but you can make your own, with warm tap water, a little bit of washing up liquid, and if you want a drop of vinegar (all this would depend on your tanks capacity).
Also there are some ready made solutions that claim to get rid of rust and tarnish, but I have not tried them.
Things to look out
Ultrasonic cleaners are quite powerful and can remove the paint on some razors IE: painted numbers, or handles.
I have cleaned gold plated razors, with no damage, but I have been very careful, not going for more than a minute cycle.
A trick I tried with an old superpeed was carfully wrapping the dial with duct tape, and although the tape started to come off after 3 minutes, the paint didn't.
Please note, I do not suggest to do that on razors that you are not willing to run a risk.
So what else can I use my cleaner for?
Ultrasonic cleaners are very versatile, and not only limited to metal cleaning.
Glasses, watches, discs, mechanical parts, and maybe the part that will help you guys convince the lady is worth buying: Jewels
As said before, ultrasonic cleaners, use the power of waves to do their job, so porous surfaces are not good to be cleaned with an ulstrasonic.
Here's a little list of precious stones that can and cannot be cleaned with.
(please note, this list was taken from the manufactures website, and I have not tried to clean any of this)
Precious Stone Ultrasonic Clean
Amber No
Opal No
Amethyst No
Pearls No
Aquamarine No
Perdot No
Blue Topaz No
Rose Quartz No
Citrine No
Emerald No
Smoky Quartz No
Tanzanite No
Jade No
Topaz No
Onyx No
Tourmaline No
Garnet
Diamond Yes
Sapphire Yes Yes
Ruby Yes
Finally a little video just to show the process, This is me cleaning a Gillette Aristocrat #19, the solution was warm water and a drop of washing up liquid.
The gunk that you see previous to the machine been started is because I decided to record it, just a few seconds after I started the machine in the first place.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7CjVIRxgWI
If the video is not available, here is the direct link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7CjVIRxgWI)
Some before and after shots (with polishing)
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/7941/airsto.jpg
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/4543/airsto1.jpg
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/1522/london09174.jpg
PS: I cannot change the title and I think "to" would be more suitable instead of "in" so if any mod can change it, would be really appreciate it (english is not my mother tongue)
A guide for Ultrasonic Cleaning, by no means I am an expert, but after some reading, experimentation and loads of curiosity I have come to some good results.
I hope this little guide will be helpful and if you wish, you can contribute aswell, after all we're a comunity, and as such is built by us all.
First a bit of history
The ultrasonic generator converts electrical energy from the line which is typically alternating current at 50 or 60Hz to electrical energy at the ultrasonic frequency. This is accomplished in a number of ways by various equipment manufacturers. Current ultrasonic generators nearly all use solid state technology.
http://www.blackstone-ney.com/images/fu-fig10.gif
There have been several relatively recent innovations in ultrasonic generator technology which may enhance the effectiveness of ultrasonic cleaning equipment. These include square wave outputs, slowly or rapidly pulsing the ultrasonic energy on and off and modulating or "sweeping" the frequency of the generator output around the central operating frequency. The most advanced ultrasonic generators have provisions for adjusting a variety of output parameters to customize the ultrasonic energy output for the task.
Now What do we need?
In terms of our needs, a cleaner with a 50w output would be sufficient, is said that the more watts, the better the cleaning. Personally I own a 50w and 42khz ultrasonic frequency with a 750ml tank. And is just perfect for me, as I do razor cleaning, plus some jewlery.
There are bigger and more powerful cleaners, but that come to a cost, so If you're planning on buying one, just for cleaning razors, I would suggest something similar to mine.
The cleaning process is quite simple, after some scrubbing with a toothbrush, you can place the item in the cleaner (note that you can skip the toothbrush process, but there are cases in which the ultrasonic, may not be enough).
Do a few minutes cycle and check, repeat as needed, rinse, dry and polish.
I have noticed that after ultrasonic cleaning, razors, neclases, and most items cleaned, are left with a nice shine, not achieved with regular cleaning.
There are ready made solutions, but you can make your own, with warm tap water, a little bit of washing up liquid, and if you want a drop of vinegar (all this would depend on your tanks capacity).
Also there are some ready made solutions that claim to get rid of rust and tarnish, but I have not tried them.
Things to look out
Ultrasonic cleaners are quite powerful and can remove the paint on some razors IE: painted numbers, or handles.
I have cleaned gold plated razors, with no damage, but I have been very careful, not going for more than a minute cycle.
A trick I tried with an old superpeed was carfully wrapping the dial with duct tape, and although the tape started to come off after 3 minutes, the paint didn't.
Please note, I do not suggest to do that on razors that you are not willing to run a risk.
So what else can I use my cleaner for?
Ultrasonic cleaners are very versatile, and not only limited to metal cleaning.
Glasses, watches, discs, mechanical parts, and maybe the part that will help you guys convince the lady is worth buying: Jewels
As said before, ultrasonic cleaners, use the power of waves to do their job, so porous surfaces are not good to be cleaned with an ulstrasonic.
Here's a little list of precious stones that can and cannot be cleaned with.
(please note, this list was taken from the manufactures website, and I have not tried to clean any of this)
Precious Stone Ultrasonic Clean
Amber No
Opal No
Amethyst No
Pearls No
Aquamarine No
Perdot No
Blue Topaz No
Rose Quartz No
Citrine No
Emerald No
Smoky Quartz No
Tanzanite No
Jade No
Topaz No
Onyx No
Tourmaline No
Garnet
Diamond Yes
Sapphire Yes Yes
Ruby Yes
Finally a little video just to show the process, This is me cleaning a Gillette Aristocrat #19, the solution was warm water and a drop of washing up liquid.
The gunk that you see previous to the machine been started is because I decided to record it, just a few seconds after I started the machine in the first place.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7CjVIRxgWI
If the video is not available, here is the direct link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7CjVIRxgWI)
Some before and after shots (with polishing)
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/7941/airsto.jpg
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/4543/airsto1.jpg
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/1522/london09174.jpg
PS: I cannot change the title and I think "to" would be more suitable instead of "in" so if any mod can change it, would be really appreciate it (english is not my mother tongue)