This makes it especially valuable for industries where ultra-fine cleanliness of highly sensitive components is critical.
An Award as a background
It all began at the end of 2022, when Ecoclean was honored with the FiT2Clean Award at parts2clean for our breakthrough Acoustic Performance Measurement (APM) technology. At that time, we had just launched the system: a specialized microphone capable of monitoring ultrasonic cleaning performance, frequency, and temperature during the cleaning process. This innovation allowed deviations to be detected and documented in real time.
What made the solution award-worthy? APM technology enables process adjustments while sensitive parts are still in the ultrasonic bath. Rather than waiting for the cleaning cycle to end and reviewing the results afterward, operators can intervene during the process itself— ensuring optimal results without delay.
From Innovation to Implementation: Service, support, and training.
Since the launch, our service team has been actively supporting customers in bringing APM technology into daily operation. We know that complex technologies require more than just installation — they demand the right know-how. That’s why we provide in-depth training for machine operators to ensure they can fully leverage the benefits of APM.
To maintain accuracy and reliability over time, we also offer professional system calibration services —to ensure consistent performance with precise measurement.
Now: wider range of cleaning applications
We’ve taken APM to the next level. The technology has been further developed to offer even greater precision in monitoring the frequency and power of high-frequency ultrasound. This enhancement now supports both open multi-stage immersion systems and closed chamber cleaning systems, expanding its usability across a wide range of cleaning procedures.
Through a series of tests, we’ve proven that even sound waves in the high-frequency range—up to two megahertz—can be reliably detected using laser-acoustic microphones. These findings were the foundation for expanding our APM solution, unlocking new levels of control and insight for our customers’ most demanding cleaning processes.
Proving the Precision: How We Validated the Extended Frequency Range
To verify the reliable detection of the frequency spectrum, we conducted a comprehensive series of tests using a laser-acoustic microphone during the development of our enhanced APM measurement system. These tests were carried out on our UCMSmartLine ultrasonic multi-stage immersion cleaning system, as well as on systems equipped with 500 kHz and 1,000 kHz plate transducers.
Additionally, we included plate transducers with oscillation frequencies of 40, 80, and 120 kHz —already integrated into the system, to compare performance with our earlier APM technology, which used condenser microphones.
The results confirmed that the signal-to-noise ratio across the entire frequency band is sufficiently high to detect ultrasonic waves up to 2 MHz. We also identified the optimal distance from the bath surface at which the laser-acoustic microphone must be positioned. Despite increasing attenuation of sound waves in air at higher frequencies, the ideal distance turned out to be comparable to that of the condenser microphones previously used for low-frequency measurements, making the transition seamless for existing setups.
High end solution for validated and consistent cleaning results: Like in this example picture, the microphone is installed on US station, not immersed in the medium.
The Benefits of Contactless and Motionless Measurement
Unlike hydrophones, our APM solution performs measurements without direct contact and without any movement, offering a range of advantages. It can be used safely in environments with aggressive chemicals, without contaminating the cleaning media or putting the measuring equipment at risk. And because the measurement is motionless, it’s both reproducible and fully inline — ideal for consistent process monitoring.
Another key advantage: APM technology can also be applied in closed cleaning and rinsing tanks, such as those used for PPC (Pulsated Pressure Cleaning) application and chamber cleaning systems. The system can detect ultrasonic frequency and sound pressure even through “walls”.
By the way… PPC is a technology developed by Ecoclean, with patent applied, what underscores our commitment to driving innovation in advanced cleaning solutions.
For quick and easy on-site verification, we also offer handheld calibrators to test both the laser-acoustic and condenser microphones used in the system.
