Shumei KQ2200E Benchtop Ultrasonic Cleaner

Overview

The Shumei KQ2200E is a compact, benchtop ultrasonic cleaner engineered for routine laboratory cleaning, degreasing, and particle removal from delicate instrumentation, glassware, precision components, and small-volume sample containers. It operates on the principle of cavitation—generated by high-frequency mechanical vibrations transmitted through a liquid medium at 40 kHz—producing microscopic implosions that dislodge contaminants from surfaces without mechanical abrasion or chemical aggression. Designed for stability and reproducibility in controlled environments, the unit features a seamless 304 stainless steel tank (230 × 140 × 100 mm internal dimensions), robust PTC-based heating, and an integrated auto-sweeping circuit to maintain consistent energy distribution across the bath volume over time. Its 3 L capacity supports standard beakers, vials, pipette tips, watch glasses, and small optical or microfluidic components—making it suitable for QC labs, academic research settings, and preparatory workflows in analytical chemistry, materials science, and biomedical engineering.

Key Features

• Stainless steel tank constructed from ASTM A240 Type 304 grade material, ensuring corrosion resistance against aqueous cleaning solutions, mild alkaline detergents, and ethanol-based rinses.
• Fixed-frequency 40 kHz ultrasonic generation with dual 50 W transducers mounted to the tank base, delivering uniform acoustic energy density across the full working volume.
• PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) surface-mounted heating system enables precise thermal control from ambient to 80 °C, with thermal stability ±2 °C under steady-state conditions.
• Mechanical timer with 1–20 minute adjustable interval, providing deterministic exposure duration for standardized cleaning protocols.
• Integrated sound-reducing lid minimizes airborne noise emission (<65 dB(A) at 1 m distance) and reduces solvent evaporation during heated operation.
• Manual fill-and-drain interface with dedicated inlet/outlet ports; compatible with deionized water, IPA, and low-foaming laboratory-grade detergents.
• Auto-frequency sweeping circuitry mitigates standing wave formation and hot-spot accumulation, improving cleaning homogeneity and extending transducer service life.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The KQ2200E accommodates a wide range of labware and specimens, including borosilicate glassware (vials, cuvettes, chromatography columns), stainless steel tools, ceramic substrates, silicon wafers, and polymer-based microplates—provided they are not ultrasonically fragile (e.g., certain thin-film sensors or MEMS devices). The unit complies with IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emission limits) and IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity requirements) for laboratory equipment. While not certified to UL/CSA safety standards out-of-the-box, its construction adheres to general electrical safety principles outlined in IEC 61010-1 for Class I laboratory apparatus. For GLP/GMP-aligned environments, users may document operational parameters (time, temperature, bath composition) manually or via external logging systems; however, the device does not include audit-trail-capable firmware or 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic records.

Software & Data Management

The KQ2200E operates exclusively via analog mechanical controls—no embedded microprocessor, display, or digital communication interface (e.g., RS-232, USB, or Ethernet) is present. Consequently, it does not support remote monitoring, data export, or software-driven protocol sequencing. All operational parameters (timer setting, temperature selection, power activation) are set manually using front-panel knobs. This architecture ensures long-term reliability, electromagnetic noise immunity, and minimal maintenance overhead—ideal for environments where simplicity, uptime, and regulatory transparency (via observable, non-proprietary controls) are prioritized over automation. Users requiring traceable parameter logging must integrate external thermocouple probes and stopwatch-based documentation.

Applications

• Routine cleaning of HPLC autosampler vials, GC injection syringes, and spectrophotometer cuvettes prior to quantitative analysis.
• Removal of organic residues and particulate matter from electron microscopy stubs, TEM grids, and SEM sample holders.
• Preparation of calibration standards by ultrasonically dispersing reference materials in aqueous or alcoholic media.
• Degreasing of metal calibration weights, micrometer anvils, and optical alignment fixtures in metrology labs.
• Supporting ISO 14644-1 cleanroom component pre-cleaning procedures when used with filtered solvents and validated rinse cycles.
• Assisting USP particulate matter testing workflows by facilitating uniform suspension of insoluble particles in test solutions.

FAQ

Is the ultrasonic frequency adjustable?
No. The KQ2200E operates exclusively at a fixed 40 kHz frequency. Multi-frequency variants (e.g., 25/28/33 kHz) are available in other Shumei models but are not supported on this platform.
Can this unit be used with flammable solvents?
No. The device lacks explosion-proof certification and uses non-intrinsically safe heating and transduction components. Only aqueous or high-flashpoint solvents (e.g., >60 °C flash point) should be employed.
Does it include a filtration system for the cleaning bath?
No. Solution filtration is not integrated; users must manually replace or filter bath fluid externally between cycles.
What is the maximum recommended load weight inside the tank?
For optimal cavitation efficiency and transducer longevity, the total immersed mass—including fixtures and solution—should not exceed 1.2 kg. Overloading attenuates acoustic transmission and risks uneven cleaning.
Is the heating function independent of ultrasonic activation?
Yes. The heater operates independently; the unit allows simultaneous or standalone use of heating and sonication functions.