Ultrasonic component cleaning

What is ultrasonic cleaning?

Ultrasonic cleaning is an immersion washing process in which high-frequency sound waves are introduced into the cleaning bath. These waves create millions of microbubbles that implode against the surface of the part: this is cavitation. Its energy removes oils, emulsions, chips and particles, even in areas that a spray jet cannot reach.

Cleaning chamber for an LPW PowerJet industrial machine with an immersion and ultrasonic system.

Like any washing process, ultrasonic cleaning is explained by the Sinner circle: four factors that combine and compensate for each other.

Chemical action
Detergent or solvent suited to the contaminant.
Temperature
Temperature of the cleaning bath.
Mechanical action
Ultrasound, forced immersion, agitation, basket movement.
Time
Duration of the washing cycle.

Increasing one factor allows another to be reduced. Ultrasound provides very intense mechanical action: it shortens the cycle time, or allows a milder chemistry or a lower temperature, with the same cleaning result.

CleaningresultMechanicalactionultrasoundTimeTemperatureChemicalaction
Diagram comparing the effect of ultrasonic frequencies on cleaning efficiency and cavitation.

What does ultrasound bring?

  • Cleaning complex geometries: blind holes, threads, internal channels, deep cavities.
  • Strongly adhered contamination: polishing pastes, dried machining residues, embedded particles.
  • Repeatability: the same program gives the same result batch after batch, a prerequisite for meeting technical cleanliness criteria such as ISO 16232 or VDA 19.1.
  • Bulk parts: small parts are processed in baskets, without individual positioning.

Which parts is it recommended for?

  • CNC machined parts with blind holes, threads or cross-drilled holes, where cutting oil and chips remain.
  • Aluminum castings with porosity and internal channels.
  • Hydraulic, injection and brake components subject to ISO 16232 / VDA 19.1 particle limits.
  • Aerospace and medical components requiring residue-free, traceable cleaning.
  • Optics, 3D printing and semiconductor parts, for the most advanced cleanliness criteria.

Ultrasound, spray or immersion: which one to choose?

CriterionSpraySimple immersionImmersion with ultrasound
Cycle timeFrom about 30 s per partSeveral minutes per batchAt least about 5 min per cycle
VolumeSeries production, high volumesBatches in basketsBatches in baskets or in bulk
Part geometrySurfaces accessible to the jetModerately complex shapesBlind holes, threads, internal channels
ContaminationOils, emulsions, chipsOils and greasesStrongly adhered contamination, fine particles
Cleanliness requirementStandard to highMediumVery high: ISO 16232, VDA 19.1, medical
WashTech machinesMecanoFAST, washing tunnelsPowerJet, SolvacsPowerJet, Solvacs

In many cases the best solution combines several technologies in the same machine: spray for pre-cleaning, ultrasound for final cleaning, and vacuum drying. Our engineers help you define the right sequence, and we can run a trial with your own parts in Mexico or France.

Ultrasonic machine families

WashTech offers 2 families of ultrasonic washers

Industrial ultrasonic cleaning machine with forced immersion.

PowerJet – Ultrasound
and cyclic nucleation (CNp)

Modular machine for the most demanding cleanliness criteria: spray, simple or forced immersion, ultrasound, cyclic nucleation, hot-air or vacuum drying. Available in Twin (2 chambers) and Triple (3 chambers) versions.

Manufactured in Germany by our partner LPW Reinigungssysteme GmbH. Installation, commissioning and technical service by WashTech in Mexico.

Standard modular systemBatch size (mm)
PowerJet 530530 × 320 × 200
PowerJet 670670 × 480 × 300
PowerJet 9601 020 × 650 × 560

In addition to these standard systems, the PowerJet is built to order for special parts or loads.

See the PowerJet →

Industrial vacuum degreasing machine compatible with ultrasound, showing a view of its washing chamber.

Solvacs – Vacuum solvent
degreasing

Designed for heavy organic contamination (oils, greases). Fully vacuum operation, simultaneous ultrasound and active immersion, vapor-phase degreasing and continuous solvent distillation, in a closed loop with no effluent.

Manufactured in Germany by our partner HEMO GmbH. Installation, commissioning and technical service by WashTech in Mexico.

ModelWorking chamber (mm)Max. load
Solvacs 1370 × 220 × 20030 kg
Solvacs 1.5480 × 320 × 20050 kg
Solvacs 2530 × 320 × 20070 kg
Solvacs 2.5600 × 400 × 300100 kg
Solvacs 3670 × 480 × 300150 kg
Solvacs 3S670 × 480 × 400200 kg

See the Solvacs →

Frequently asked questions

What ultrasonic frequency is used in industrial cleaning?

Industrial parts cleaning typically uses frequencies of 25 to 40 kHz. Lower frequencies produce more energetic cavitation, useful against strongly adhered soils; higher ones are gentler, for delicate surfaces. The frequency is chosen according to the part and the contaminant.

Can ultrasound damage the parts?

For most industrial parts, no, with a suitable frequency, power and cycle time. However, on very sensitive components, such as in the semiconductor or optics industry, ultrasound can damage the part. In those cases we offer the cyclic nucleation process (CNp) of the PowerJet, which cleans without ultrasound.

Water and detergent, or solvent?

Water with detergent suits most machining oils and particles. Solvent (modified alcohols or hydrocarbons, with the Solvacs) is more effective against neat oils and heavy greases, and leaves the part dry and residue-free.

What is cyclic nucleation (CNp)?

It is a PowerJet process that alternates pressure and vacuum phases in the chamber. Bubbles form directly inside blind holes and internal channels, and push contamination out, without ultrasound.

Does it meet ISO 16232 and VDA 19.1?

Yes. Ultrasound, combined with forced immersion, bath filtration and vacuum drying, achieves the strictest particle limits in the automotive industry. See our guide to ISO 16232 and VDA 19.1.

Can you run a trial with my parts?

Yes. We run washing trials with your own parts in Mexico or France, to validate the technology and parameters before any investment.

Do you have a part that is hard to clean?
Send us a photo or a drawing and we will propose the right solution.

Free advice from our engineers and washing trials with your own parts, in Mexico or France.

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