Home Made Ultrasonic Cleaning Tank

Intro: Home Made Ultrasonic Cleaning Tank

Hi,
I have constructed a 40KHz, 100W ultrasonic cleaning bath using a thick cooking pot and some off the shelf parts.
Two 40KHz transducers, part number SMBLTD45F40H, were attached to the bottom of a thick wall cooking pot using dual component Epoxy (Home Depot). It is important to mix the correct proportions so it will cure to a solid piece and not flexible as it would dampen the vibration. The ultrasonic generator used was also found at the same place (STEMINC) and it is part number SMUG100W40ND. This generator is 100W and each transducer is 70W when installed alone or 50W each when installed in parallel. You must connect two SMBLTD45F40H and the system cannot be turned ON until all connections are made and the generator is connected to the transducers ATTACHED TO THE TANK. If not, the generator will be damaged. It cost me not to pay attention to this detail!.
Connections are simple. The electrode between the two piezo rings on the transducer is the positive. So connect the positive electrodes from the transducers (in parallel) and connect to the positive output of the generator. Then connect the negative electrodes from the transducers (in parallel) and connect to the negative output of the generator.
In my build I used Glue, instead of having bolts on the bottom of the pan, You con also have bolts welded to the bottom of the reservoir. Depending on the thickness of the wall of the container you will need to check if it is feasible.

Comments

[lalegría]

Agreed, it looks nice and way cheaper than a commercial sonicator. Have you tested its cleaning ability? What are you using for?

[grenoble]

Hello,
Thank you for your message.
We use to clean\degrease industrial parts.
The initial project that you see here has now evolved and we have 2 additional tanks with a lot more volume and space for longer parts.
Regards,
Ozzy

[amaliapranata]

Cool! What glue did u use to attach transducer to the "tank"? Thanks you.

[grenoble]

Hi Amalia,

Thank you for your message.
I used Epoxy glue, two components, Araldite 2012.
You can see the specs on the link below. It is excellent for metal to metal or metal to anything rigid. It is IMPORTANT to mix it exactly as the instructions says. Otherwise, it will not cure to a glassy finish and will act as a shock absorbent layer and the performance of the transducer will not be optimum.

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/318905.pdf

Regards,
Ozzy

[Foxtrot70]

Excellent project!!! I have been wanting to build an Ultrasonic cleaner for some time since purchasing a manufactured unit is very costly.  Observation: Since you have the transducers epoxied to the pot they will be almost impossible to remove. My question: How do you change out a transducer if and when it goes bad? Solution: I notice in the specs that the transducer has a pre-tapped hole for an M10 mounting stud. I would opt for a mounting stud. This can be accomplished by drilling 2 - M10 holes in the pot. Next tap the holes, then thread from the inside, a stainless steel M10 cap screw, then braze or silver solder the cap screw from the outside. Take care to keep the fillet as small as possible so as not to impeed the tightening of the transducer flush to the pot otherwise some touch-up grinding with a mini-grinder or dremel tool will be required. Further, poor mechanical flush contact to the pot will damage the transducer and possibly the generator board. Last a mini-grinder or dremel tool to cut off the cap screw head on the inside of the pot to restore the smooth bottom.

[throbscottle]

You made this quite a few years ago I see. Has the glue survived all the years of use, or did the vibrations make it come apart eventually?

[eg_morteza65]

Hi. How is its electrical circuit generator designed? Please send me a picture with details.tnx

[MarcL74]

Just got a crazy idea. Stick the transducers under the kitchen sink, cheap dishwasher LOL.

[madeleineallen97]

How do you attach the board to a power supply/wall?

[YOUNESS123]

I want to manufacture ultrasonic locally. Is there a good explanation?

[bsagreg]

Not sure about the cost efficiency of this , at least with the links provided. A Vevor 3L heated cleaner is going for $98 on Amazon. If you have the need to build your own Banggood as a 2 50w transducersand 1 power board kit for $36. Either way this is a good DIY article .

[JeffH347]

Hello

I'm scheming cleaning eggs using ultrasonics and dawn dish soap cuz they often have poop smears on them. Peanut butter is probable a reasonable comparator.

Would you mind, please to give this a shot on your unit and let me know the results ?

[nathan-ccsf]

Can you please post a complete wiring diagram?

[DevanshM4]

I tried to make this twice but as soon as my transducer comes in contact with surface of vessel (stainless steel vessel), the transducer stops working. The first time it worked for about 2 minutes and then it stopped and the other time, it just worked for like 5 seconds. Can you help me with this?

[grenoble]

Hello,
I don't understand your description of the problem. The transducers are Epoxied or attached using steel studs to the vessel. They don't make contact with the vessel during operation. They are already attached to it prior of turning the system ON otherwise it is not correct.
Check the pictures of this project and you will see the basics of it. In the case of the one on this project, you have 2 transducers that are Epoxied to the pan and then connected in parallel to the 100W generator. It works flawless. I now have another one that is a 4 gallons tank and I use 4 transducers collected in parallel. Same principle, same transducer connection and a 200W generator.

[mabo1024]

I am going to transform an old french frying tank see picture) into an ultrasonic cleaning tank.
The resistance to warm the oil can serve to warm the cleaning fluid, I just have to glue the transducers under the tank.
I ordered transducers and electronics at ali-express, as soon as they are delivered, I'll let you know how it went.
I found an epoxy glue called fluid steel that is boiling water resistant, but it also says "opvangen van trillingen"
Do you think it will do the job or will it absorb the vibrations so nothing goes into the cleaning fluid ?

opvangen (ww.)to collect ; to admit ; to receive ; to intercept ; to absorb ; to catch on way ; to bear ; to capture ; to accomodate ; to give shelter ; to take ; to catch ; to pick-up ; to pick up ; to compensate

http://www.rectavit.be/nl/ProductTechnischeFiche.a...

Also, in order to have a very good glueing, would it be good idea to switch on the transducers for a short time, once the glue is applied and the transducers are pressed against the tank, to remove eventual air bubbles and to make a better connection between the tank and the transducer ?
On the site of a transducer manufacturer I read
Establish impedance control technology during gluing process to reduce the gluing impedance of oscillator and improve the electro-acoustic conversion efficiency.
But it is not clear to me what they mean by that.

[nabeel_72]

hi mabo1024,

i have the same thoughts. I am making a diy ultrasonic cleaner. But im using acryllic material as the ultrasonic tank. How is the glue that you used and how is your gluing method working? If you don't mind to share..

Thank you.

[mabo1024]

Hi Nabeel,
The glue is holding, I don't use the tank alot though, just for hobby purposes.
The glue is a 2 component epoxy glue called Rectavit liquid steel, that is suited for metal and hard plastics.
Rectavit is a Belgian company, if you don't find it where you live, do a google search on "epoxy metal to acrylic" and it will show you a list of other epoxy glue brands that are suited for you.
When you glue, make sure both surfaces are very clean and degreased, otherwise it will not hold.

[MarioL111]

Is it really worth it to buy a $200 generator, two $35 transducers, good epoxy, etc? Or should I buy a used unit online? Otherwise, thank you for this info. Nice, simple write-up.

[steven morris]

can it be used to clean clocks