I don't know if anyone here is familiar with the practice, but a trick used in the US industry is to put some aluminium foil into the US bath to check functionality. You'll quickly see tiny holes or pits appearing in the foil. My idea was to glue foil onto sacrificial discs, keep it stationary in the bath and then examine the distribution of pits over the foil surface. This should give an idea of power distribution in the bath (if it works as intended).
I tried cooking foil in my scratch built US cleaner but could not see any perforations. I would be interested what results other folk with 'proper' cleaners get.
It would be good if we could devise a standard coupon test - perhaps a microscope slide with a light smear of something.
I guess it would be possible to actually measure the US energy and location with a transducer. There are graphics showing a distinct strong US beam in front of the US head (which is called a horn) so we are in familiar sonic territory. I doubt that the commercial baths contain even distribution of US sound energy. It would be interesting to see where it is concentrated (where the heads are underneath and how far it extends into the bath). I might be wrong and the bath 'boils' with it, but I suspect not.
martin
It would be good if we could devise a standard coupon test - perhaps a microscope slide with a light smear of something.
I guess it would be possible to actually measure the US energy and location with a transducer. There are graphics showing a distinct strong US beam in front of the US head (which is called a horn) so we are in familiar sonic territory. I doubt that the commercial baths contain even distribution of US sound energy. It would be interesting to see where it is concentrated (where the heads are underneath and how far it extends into the bath). I might be wrong and the bath 'boils' with it, but I suspect not.
martin
I will definitely try the aluminum foil test tonight. When I put my hand in the tub it definitely feels stronger towards the bottom.
Truetone-- I'd love to hear about your system. For example, how did you attach the transducers to the tub?
Truetone-- I'd love to hear about your system. For example, how did you attach the transducers to the tub?
This was the worst thing. The transducers come with a short 6M stud. I wanted to get them spot welded neatly to the ss pan, but the sheet metal shop (who were making me some amp chassis') said it wasn't possible and they gas welded the studs as best they could. I found that when I tightened the transducers down they didn't make perfect contact flat with the pan bottom. The pan is too thin so tends to warp as the studs not perfectly normal. So I spread some PVA glue as a gasket between them. Most likely this is my problem. Might be better to drill and bolt thru the pan bottom. Use a Loctite type gasket sealant.
I might experiment by just holding the transducer horn just below the water surface. I was thinking of setting this up in a cup to avoid flipping the records.
The thing makes a huge din and I guess it is dissipating all its energy uselessly. Can anyone estimate what the thickness of the commercial baths is? I am sure it must be possible to make a working bath.
I might experiment by just holding the transducer horn just below the water surface. I was thinking of setting this up in a cup to avoid flipping the records.
The thing makes a huge din and I guess it is dissipating all its energy uselessly. Can anyone estimate what the thickness of the commercial baths is? I am sure it must be possible to make a working bath.
Transducer to tank bonding
Hi Truetone,
The mating of the transducer to the tank wall needs to be done with care and precision. It is generally done by precise brazing (not welding) or most commonly, using calibrated amounts of special high temp epoxy that can withstand severe vibration.
There is a very low probability that a first-timer can successfully complete these procedures. Experimenting with transducers and thin stainless steel tanks gets expensive quickly.
Cheers,
B B
Hi Truetone,
The mating of the transducer to the tank wall needs to be done with care and precision. It is generally done by precise brazing (not welding) or most commonly, using calibrated amounts of special high temp epoxy that can withstand severe vibration.
There is a very low probability that a first-timer can successfully complete these procedures. Experimenting with transducers and thin stainless steel tanks gets expensive quickly.
Cheers,
B B
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I will give it another go - the heads will just unscrew. It seems that fixing the heads to the bottom is the biggest issue. At the price of a cheap Chinese bath (that probably uses the same heads) I have got to admit it isn't worth the effort. But not beaten yet!
Hello guys.
This is my first posting at DIY Audio ever, but I´ve been following this thread for a while.
I see that some of you have concerns about if ultrasonic cleaning can damage your vinyl.
Well, one guy here in Norway has offered one LP for testing this out in an Eumax 40khz cleaner. So far this LP has been in a bath for over 200 hours without any sign of damage or reduced sound quality.
I agree with @bbftx that 80khz might be the most optimal frequence for cleaning vinyl, but a 40khz cleaner do the job, and wont force any damage.
I choosed a Crest CP-500/D when I built my cleaner. This cleaner sweeps between 42 avd 45 khz, and cleans my vinyl as expected.
On this unit I can also adjust the power in 9 steps, and on the alu-folio test it is easy to see the difference in ultrasonic effect between the different steps. Though, cleaning vinyl - I run it on full effect.
This is my first posting at DIY Audio ever, but I´ve been following this thread for a while.
I see that some of you have concerns about if ultrasonic cleaning can damage your vinyl.
Well, one guy here in Norway has offered one LP for testing this out in an Eumax 40khz cleaner. So far this LP has been in a bath for over 200 hours without any sign of damage or reduced sound quality.
I agree with @bbftx that 80khz might be the most optimal frequence for cleaning vinyl, but a 40khz cleaner do the job, and wont force any damage.
I choosed a Crest CP-500/D when I built my cleaner. This cleaner sweeps between 42 avd 45 khz, and cleans my vinyl as expected.
On this unit I can also adjust the power in 9 steps, and on the alu-folio test it is easy to see the difference in ultrasonic effect between the different steps. Though, cleaning vinyl - I run it on full effect.
In dealing with a manufacturer they offer a kit including the transducers, generator board, and epoxy to affix the transducers to the pan. I was somewhat surprised that epoxy was used but it seems to be the norm.
I checked out the Beijing Ultrasonics site and noticed they were selling reasonably priced 6L units ($350) with "adjustable power" (180 watts) and a frequency spec of 20-135khz.
Adjustable Power Ultrasonic Cleaner 6L
It's unclear, however, if/how one can dial in say - the magical 60hz. Or, does the unit use a sweep? I plan on inquiring. Did anyone else notice this?
Adjustable Power Ultrasonic Cleaner 6L
It's unclear, however, if/how one can dial in say - the magical 60hz. Or, does the unit use a sweep? I plan on inquiring. Did anyone else notice this?
Transducers work over a very narrow frequency band
Hi CTO,
We've already had this discussion about Beijing ultrasonics. There's no such beast as a wide-band, variable frequency ultrasonic transducer. Read #352 and #353
Beijing Ultrasonics Discussion
And #357 here:
80khz Beijing Ultrasonics
Cheers,
B B
Hi CTO,
We've already had this discussion about Beijing ultrasonics. There's no such beast as a wide-band, variable frequency ultrasonic transducer. Read #352 and #353
Beijing Ultrasonics Discussion
And #357 here:
80khz Beijing Ultrasonics
Cheers,
B B
Anyone could tell where to buy a Sonix VI ST136H in Europe?
Which ultrasonic machine is more suitable among the ones you cited in this thread?
Which ultrasonic machine is more suitable among the ones you cited in this thread?
Has anyone tried this one?
6.5L Professional Digital Ultrasonic Cleaner + Heating + Timer + Basket 6L 031S | eBay
6.5L Professional Digital Ultrasonic Cleaner + Heating + Timer + Basket 6L 031S | eBay
It s a matter of safety and not depth of cleaning. Higher frequencies are just safer.
On the other hand, to my knowledge, most if not all commercial units also work on 40KHz. With significantly lower bathing times (higher rotation speeds) than those suggested in this thread though.
On the other hand, to my knowledge, most if not all commercial units also work on 40KHz. With significantly lower bathing times (higher rotation speeds) than those suggested in this thread though.