Truelab UC-T17D Benchtop Digital Ultrasonic Cleaner

Overview

The Truelab UC-T17D is a benchtop digital ultrasonic cleaner engineered for precision cleaning and degassing of delicate laboratory and industrial components. It operates on the principle of acoustic cavitation: a 40 kHz high-frequency signal generated by an ultrasonic transducer is coupled into the cleaning bath medium (e.g., water, aqueous detergents, or solvent mixtures), inducing rapid formation and collapse of microscopic vacuum bubbles. This transient cavitation energy—localized at surfaces and within micro-geometries—mechanically dislodges particulate contaminants, organic residues, oxides, and biofilms without mechanical abrasion or thermal degradation. Designed for consistent performance across routine QC, R&D, and preparatory workflows, the UC-T17D delivers reproducible cleaning efficacy in applications ranging from optical component decontamination to pre-analytical sample preparation for chromatography and spectroscopy.

Key Features

• Seamless SUS304 stainless steel tank—deep-drawn in a single operation with zero weld seams, eliminating potential corrosion initiation points and ensuring long-term bath integrity under repeated thermal and chemical stress.
• Industrial-grade piezoelectric transducers mounted directly to the tank bottom provide uniform energy distribution and >92% electroacoustic conversion efficiency, enabling stable 400 W output at 40 kHz with minimal harmonic distortion.
• Digital microcontroller-based system with real-time LED display for simultaneous monitoring of elapsed time, set temperature, and active ultrasonic status—supporting precise process documentation per GLP-aligned lab practices.
• Adjustable heating module (400 W) enables temperature-controlled cleaning between 0 °C and 80 °C in 1 °C increments, facilitating optimized solubilization of waxes, greases, and thermolabile organics while suppressing volatile solvent evaporation.
• Programmable timer with 1-second resolution (1:00–99:59) supports unattended operation and protocol standardization; automatic shutdown upon cycle completion prevents overexposure and energy waste.
• Integrated sound-dampening lid reduces ambient noise to ≤55 dB(A) at 1 m distance, meeting ISO 11201 occupational safety thresholds for continuous lab use.
• Ergonomic side handles and compact footprint (360 × 330 × 310 mm) allow safe relocation between fume hoods, cleanrooms, and instrument prep stations without requiring dedicated mounting.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The UC-T17D accommodates a broad range of substrates—including glassware (vials, cuvettes, pipette tips), metal parts (sensors, nozzles, calibration standards), silicon wafers, PCB assemblies, and biological carriers (tissue culture inserts, microfluidic chips)—without risk of surface pitting or etching when operated within recommended parameters. Its construction complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 for electrical safety in laboratory equipment and meets CE marking requirements for EMC (EN 61326-1) and low-voltage directives. While not certified for sterile processing per ISO 13485 or FDA 21 CFR Part 820, the unit supports GMP-relevant cleaning validation when integrated into documented SOPs—particularly where residual removal verification (e.g., via TOC, HPLC, or gravimetric analysis) is performed post-cycle.

Software & Data Management

The UC-T17D operates as a standalone hardware platform with no embedded firmware update capability or network interface. All operational parameters are configured locally via tactile membrane keys, and settings are retained through power cycles. For traceability in regulated environments, users may log cycle parameters (time, temperature, duration) manually or integrate the device into external electronic lab notebook (ELN) systems via time-stamped operator entries. The absence of USB/RS232 connectivity aligns with labs prioritizing air-gapped instrumentation for cybersecurity or audit simplicity—consistent with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 guidance on non-electronic record systems.

Applications

• Pre-analytical cleaning of HPLC autosampler vials, GC liners, and ICP-MS nebulizers to eliminate memory effects and baseline drift.
• Removal of flux residues and solder mask contaminants from SMT assemblies prior to AOI inspection or reliability testing.
• Deagglomeration and homogenization of nanoparticle suspensions (e.g., TiO₂, SiO₂) for DLS or zeta potential characterization.
• Extraction support for plant metabolites and environmental analytes using ultrasound-assisted leaching (UAL) protocols compliant with ASTM D7213.
• Routine decontamination of reusable electrophoresis combs, gel trays, and microcentrifuge tubes in molecular biology workflows.

FAQ

Is the ultrasonic power adjustable during operation?
No—the UC-T17D delivers a fixed 400 W output at 40 kHz. Power modulation is not supported; intensity control is achieved indirectly via solvent selection, temperature, and exposure duration.
Can this unit be used with flammable solvents such as acetone or ethanol?
Not recommended. The heater and transducer generate localized heat; operation with low-flashpoint solvents poses fire hazard and may degrade tank seals. Only aqueous or high-flashpoint (>60 °C) compatible cleaning media should be used.
Does the drain port include a valve or hose connector?
Yes—a standard 1/2-inch BSP threaded outlet is provided, compatible with common laboratory drainage tubing (ID 8 mm). No valve is integrated; manual hose attachment is required for controlled emptying.
What maintenance is required for long-term reliability?
Monthly inspection of transducer bonding integrity, quarterly descaling of heating elements using 5% citric acid solution, and annual verification of timer accuracy against a calibrated stopwatch are advised per manufacturer service guidelines.
Is the stainless steel mesh basket included with the unit?
Yes—a SUS304 welded mesh basket (120 µm aperture) is supplied as standard equipment, designed to suspend samples above tank bottom sediment while permitting full acoustic coupling.