Ultrasonics

Not All Ultrasonics Wash Your Records Safely: Specify 35 KHz.

"Sonically speaking", Indeed where higher the frequency, the smaller the bubbles, smaller the bubbles, they enter small crevices easier.

A Record Contrary To Popular Belief Is Not A Small Crevice. Minute details within the groove provide timbre, this is why analogue provides the excellence it does. These indentations should never be removed.

In 3 years of extensive testing, we found 35 kHz is the sweet spot, it does not remove these details and does not "smoothen" the grooves as would a poorly designed record cleaner, leaving a residue which has the same effect. Not 45, not 80, not 90 kHz. NEVER 120 kHz or higher. All are proven to damage records over time. Much misinformation is out there: We have in house, experienced engineers familiar with ultrasonic generation. 35 kHz is gentle yet powerful enough to do the job properly.

A Primer on Sonic Technology: Under pressure of continuous vibration by the ultrasonic generator at the bottom of the tank. bubbles generated rise and stretch and compress at a fast rate. Once they reach a certain size as determined by the frequency and strength of the sound waves which produced the bubbles they lose structural integrity and collapse violently. When these implosions happen near the surface of an object such as a record, the bubbles emit high-powered streams of plasma which travel at more than 500 miles per hour and collide with, agitate and remove even very tiny particles and substances from the record's surface.

Using a surfactant further attracts these bubbles to the record. For new records, 40 mL of 70% alcohol per 6 L of distilled water to remove record pressing residue, on records which have been cleaned using detergents or soaps, our 1% propanol surfactant brushed gently into records aids this.

CAVITATION: In an ultrasonic cleaning machine, implosions occur millions of times per second, removing contaminants. Bubble size relates to how much energy is released when they implode. That’s why a higher frequency produces less intense cleaning, (smaller bubbles) but because a higher frequency yields more bubbles it’s a better choice for cleaning parts with very tiny features such as blind holes, channels and threads. This a danger for vinyl and shellacked records. Small Bubbles Damage The Depth Of The Groove Removing Timber And High Frequencies. The Best Ultrasonic Frequency After 3 Years Of Testing Is 35 Khz With A Max Temp Of 35°C.

Higher frequencies such as 100, 125, 130 kHz are used for fine cleaning jobs as they enter small surfaces including microelectronics, printed circuit boards, medical and precision optics. Powerful implosions remove post manufacturing matter and dirt. The 35 kHz frequency has a good combination of power, penetration, and especially, a very even energy distribution and can successfully address most cleaning applications when combined with a properly-engineered cleaning system and also does not damage the stainless steel basin as do higher frequencies.

Specifications may be subject to change without notice.

Patents Pending and Issued.