| Branson ultrasonic cleaners feature a variety of | | | | solvent degassing. Noise-reducing covers can be |
| different models for all kinds of applications whether | | | | flipped over and used as a tray and drip-off basin. |
| in scientific, medical or dental laboratories, for the | | | | Collected cleaning liquid can be emptied back into the |
| cleaning of glasses, watches, and jewelry, or for | | | | tank. Large capacity industrial ultrasonic cleaners are |
| industrial applications like removing flux and other | | | | also available. |
| contaminants from electronics and grease and dirt | | | | L&R Ultrasonic: |
| from switches assemblies and gears. | | | | L&R Ultrasonics offers two different lines of bench |
| The Branson line of ultrasonic cleaners includes an | | | | top ultrasonic cleaners: Quantrex and SweepZone |
| assortment of table top models and industrial models | | | | Technology. Quantrex is optimized for its economic |
| of tank sizes from 5-80 gallon capacity. Additionally, | | | | value and SweepZone Technology promises uniform |
| Branson builds custom- sized ultrasonic cleaning | | | | cleaning power while eliminating hot spots and weak |
| equipment of different sizes available either with | | | | areas. There are six different sizes of Quantrex |
| mechanical or digital timers and with or without a | | | | models available, all featuring mechanical timers and |
| heating system. Branson has more than 60 years of | | | | optional heaters. The more expensive SweepZone |
| experience in ultrasound technology. All cleaners use | | | | Technology models use an electronic component |
| industrial grade transducers and the capacity to use | | | | called “Smart Circuit” to optimize the cleaning |
| sweep frequency (a frequency modulation that | | | | cycle. It uses pulse width modulation to sense |
| maximizes cleaning power uniformity). The cleaners | | | | cleaning loads, solution level and voltage fluctuations. |
| enjoy a good reputation and are covered by a | | | | This information is used to automatically adjust to |
| two-year warranty from the manufacturer. Branson | | | | different conditions and to create a constant power |
| ultrasonic cleaners are the most popular brand on the | | | | output and uniform cleaning power without hot spots |
| market, but are they worth it? | | | | or weak areas throughout the entire tank volume. |
| Other manufacturers of ultrasonic cleaners include | | | | L&R Ultrasonics also provides industrial size ultrasonic |
| Crest Ultrasonic, Elma Ultrasonic, L&R Ultrasonic, and | | | | cleaners with the SweepZone Technology. These |
| SharperTek Ultrasonic. Here are brief descriptions of | | | | come in six sizes from 5-42 gallons tank capacity. |
| these manufacturers’ products and a summary | | | | The products are covered by different warranty |
| comparison between the Branson line and ultrasonic | | | | options ranging from 1 to 2.5 years. |
| cleaners of these companies. | | | | SharperTek Ultrasonic: |
| Crest Ultrasonic: | | | | SharperTek offers six different sizes of bench top |
| Crest offers seven different sizes of bench top | | | | ultrasonic cleaners for a variety of different |
| ultrasonic cleaners that come either with a mechanical | | | | applications. Unlike the other providers, |
| or a digital timer and heater. The digital models come | | | | SharperTek’s website showing the bench top |
| with a degas function that is used for degassing new | | | | cleaners includes a telephone number that can be |
| cleaning solutions and HPLC solvents. Degassing | | | | called for assistance with deciding which cleaner is the |
| cleaning solutions increases the cleaning capacity as | | | | most suitable for a given application. Four of the six |
| gas bubbles interfere with cavitations. The heater is | | | | models come with a mechanical timer; the other two |
| optional in the analog models. All models have sweep | | | | are digitally controlled. Five are heated. Industrial |
| frequency capacity and are covered by a two year | | | | cleaners with tank capacities of 10 liters and more |
| manufacturer warranty. Crest’s product line also | | | | are also available. Warranty duration is 2 years. |
| includes large industrial ultrasonic cleaners and | | | | Conclusions on Branson Ultrasonic Cleaners: |
| submersible ultrasonic transducers. Crest ultrasonic | | | | Economy models that do not feature sweep |
| cleaners employ a new patented sweeping | | | | technologies are significantly less costly, and might be |
| technology that the company claims eliminates hot | | | | a good alternative for certain applications where a |
| spots and improves cleaning efficiency. | | | | very even ultrasonic power field throughout the |
| Elma Ultrasonic: | | | | entire tank area is not that important. Examples |
| Elmasonic S ultrasonic cleaners are available in a range | | | | include cleaning jewelry and watches or degassing, |
| of models, sizes and capacities. Bench top units range | | | | dissolving, and dispersing applications. Some |
| from 0.2 gallon to approximately 24 gallon tanks. | | | | manufacturers offer features that are not available in |
| These units, all with a 2-year warranty, are employed | | | | Branson models. Ultimately a buying decision depends |
| across a broad spectrum of laboratory and industrial | | | | on the application and the budget, and determining |
| cleaning and degreasing applications. Elma S-line | | | | which ultrasonic cleaning system is the most suitable. |
| ultrasonic cleaners all have a sweep feature for | | | | The point is, there are many viable alternatives to a |
| improved cleaning results and a degas function. They | | | | Branson system on the market, and it is very well |
| also have a “normal” setting for standard | | | | worth the effort to compare their prices and |
| laboratory applications like dissolving, dispersing and | | | | features before deciding which brand and model to |
| blending. Models are available with heated ultrasonic | | | | buy. If the application requires a sweep system, it |
| tanks that work from room temperature to 80 C | | | | might be best to request a demo-model to be able |
| (176 F); all feature digital timers. Accessories include | | | | to directly compare cleaning power and suitability of |
| baskets with plastic coated handles, cooling coils, | | | | the system for one’s own application, before |
| clamps for Erlenmeyer flasks, acid-proof tanks, and | | | | investing in a high-end ultrasonic cleaner that |
| holders for 1 liter HPLC solvent flasks for HPLC | | | | eventually falls short of expectations. |