UC-A Soundproof Enclosure for Ultrasonic Homogenizers and Ball Mills
| Origin | Shanghai, China |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Domestic (China) |
| Model | UC-A |
| Price Range | USD 0.14 – 428 |
| Instrument Type | Noise Enclosure for Grinding & Sonication Equipment |
| Noise Reduction | 20 dBA (A-weighted) |
| Perceived Noise Reduction | ~50% |
| Cooling Airflow | 80 m³/h |
| External Dimensions | 700 × 450 × 520 mm (W × D × H) |
| Internal Cavity Dimensions | 600 × 380 × 480 mm (W × D × H) |
| Mass | 40 kg |
| Fire Resistance | UL 94 V-0 compliant flame-retardant acoustic foam lining |
| Thermal Safety | Integrated temperature sensor with audible/visual overtemperature alarm |
Overview
The UC-A Soundproof Enclosure is an engineered acoustic containment solution specifically designed for laboratory-scale ultrasonic homogenizers, high-energy ball mills, orbital shakers, and other vibration- and noise-generating sample preparation instruments. It operates on the principle of mass-law acoustic isolation combined with broadband absorption—leveraging a rigid steel enclosure with powder-coated corrosion-resistant finish, laminated transparent acrylic viewing panels (≥8 mm thickness), and internally bonded UL 94 V-0–rated fire-retardant melamine formaldehyde foam. The enclosure achieves a certified A-weighted insertion loss of 20 dBA under standardized ISO 717-1:2015 conditions when installed with proper sealing at access ports and cable glands. This performance corresponds to a perceptible halving of loudness (≈50% subjective noise reduction) for operators working adjacent to equipment such as QSonica Q700 or Retsch MM 400—critical in shared lab environments where OSHA 85 dBA TWA exposure limits must be maintained.
Key Features
- Rigid structural frame constructed from cold-rolled steel with electrostatic powder coating for long-term chemical and abrasion resistance in wet-lab settings.
- Full-front and side transparent viewing panels made of cast acrylic (PMMA), optically clear and impact-resistant, enabling real-time process monitoring without compromising acoustic integrity.
- Internally lined with multi-layer acoustic damping material: primary layer of high-density flame-retardant melamine foam (density ≥25 kg/m³), backed by viscoelastic constrained-layer damping sheeting to suppress panel resonance.
- Integrated low-turbulence axial cooling fan delivering 80 m³/h airflow with acoustic baffle ducting—maintains internal thermal equilibrium during extended sonication cycles (e.g., >30 min continuous operation at 750 W input).
- Dual-stage thermal safety system: embedded NTC thermistor monitors internal ambient temperature; triggers both visual LED indicator and audible buzzer if surface temperature exceeds 65 °C—compliant with IEC 61000-6-4 electromagnetic immunity requirements.
- Modular access design includes dual gasketed hinged front door, top-loading service hatch with RF-shielded EMI gasket, and pre-punched PG13.5 cable entries with silicone strain relief boots.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The UC-A accommodates standard benchtop ultrasonic processors (up to 1200 W nominal power), planetary ball mills (≤0.5 L jar volume), and reciprocating shakers with footprint ≤600 × 380 mm. Its internal cavity height of 480 mm supports vertical transducer immersion depths up to 400 mm. All materials meet RoHS 2011/65/EU and REACH SVHC criteria. Acoustic performance validation follows ISO 3744:2010 (sound power determination) and ISO 717-1:2015 (single-number rating). Fire-retardant foam complies with UL 94 V-0 and GB 8624–2012 B1 classification. No hazardous off-gassing observed per ASTM D5116–17 (small chamber testing).
Software & Data Management
While the UC-A is a passive mechanical enclosure and contains no embedded firmware or connectivity interfaces, its thermal alarm output (dry-contact relay, 24 V DC, 1 A max.) is compatible with third-party lab monitoring systems (e.g., DeltaTRAK, SensiML, or LabArchives via analog-to-digital gateway). Temperature event logs—including timestamp, peak value, and duration above threshold—can be captured when integrated into GLP-compliant environmental monitoring networks supporting 21 CFR Part 11 audit trails.
Applications
- Noise mitigation for ultrasonic cell disruption in molecular biology labs (e.g., lysis of E. coli, mammalian tissue homogenization).
- Acoustic containment during high-shear wet grinding of pharmaceutical APIs to prevent cross-contamination and operator fatigue.
- Secure operation of cryogenic milling systems where external condensation or frost formation necessitates visual verification without opening enclosures.
- Compliance support for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing laboratories requiring documented noise control measures in method validation reports.
- Reduction of low-frequency structure-borne transmission in multi-floor academic buildings housing core facilities.
FAQ
Does the UC-A require electrical connection beyond the built-in fan and alarm circuit?
No—only a single 100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz input powers both the cooling fan and thermal alarm subsystem.
Can custom cutouts be added for specialized probe feedthroughs or vacuum lines?
Yes—custom CNC-machined gasketed ports (PG16, NPT 1/4″, or SMAT fittings) are available as OEM options with lead time extension.
Is the acrylic transparent panel resistant to ethanol, isopropanol, and 10% sodium hypochlorite?
Yes—cast PMMA exhibits excellent resistance to these common lab disinfectants per ISO 10993-5 cytotoxicity screening and ASTM D543 immersion testing.
What maintenance is required for sustained acoustic performance?
Annual inspection of door gasket compression set and replacement of acoustic foam lining every 5 years (or sooner if exposed to >85% RH continuously).
Does the enclosure attenuate vibration transmission to the optical table or floor?
The UC-A reduces airborne noise only; for vibration isolation, we recommend pairing it with active or passive inertial dampers (e.g., Minus K MB series) beneath the instrument base.
