Ultrasonic cleaning depends upon cavitation, the rapid formation and violent collapse of minute bubbles or cavities in a cleaning liquid. This agitation by countless small and intense imploding bubbles creates a highly effective scrubbing of both exposed and hidden surfaces of parts immersed in the cleaning solution. As the frequency increases, the number of these cavities also increases but the energy released by each cavity decreases making higher frequencies ideal for small particle removal without substrate damage.Growth and collapse (implosion) of a cavitation vacuum bubble.

Cavitation is produced by introducing high frequency (ultrasonic), high intensity sound waves into a liquid. Consequently, the three essential components of any ultrasonic cleaning system are: a tank to contain the cleaning liquid, a transducer to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, and an ultrasonic generator to produce a high frequency electrical signal.

Because ultrasonic energy penetrates into crevices and cavities, any type of part or assembly can be cleaned. In many cases cleaning is the only way to meet specifications, as in the cleaning of precision parts or assemblies.

Ultrasonic cleaning is faster than any conventional cleaning method in the removal of soil and contamination from parts. Entire assemblies can be cleaned without disassembly. Often, its labor saving advantages make ultrasonic the most economical way of cleaning.

Unlike manual cleaning, ultrasonic offers unmatched cleaning consistency, whether pieces to be cleaned are large or small, simple or complex, handled singly, in batches, or in an automated line.

Ultrasonic welding equipment converts 50/60 Hz current to 15, or 20 kHz electrical energy through a solid-state power supply. This high frequency electrical energy is supplied to the converter that transforms it to mechanical motion at ultrasonic frequencies. The mechanical motion is then transmitted through an amplitude-modifying booster to the horn. The horn, an acoustic tool, transfers this vibratory energy directly to the parts being assembled.
The main components of an ultrasonic system are the power supply, converter/booster/horn stack, part fixture, and a means of providing horn contact with the parts -- usually an actuator.