Sonics VC50 User Manual

USER’S GUIDE

HIGH INTENSITY ULTRASONIC

PROCESSOR

Model VC50AT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Important Safeguards

SECTION 1 – INSTALLATION

Inspection
Electrical Requirements
Installing the Ultrasonic Processor

SECTION II – OPERATION

Principles of Ultrasonic Disruption
Functions of Controls, Indications, and Connectors
Preparations for Use
Tuning
Using the Ultrasonic Processor

SECTION III – SERVICE INFORMATION

Return of Equipment

The Ultrasonic Atomizer supplied with this instruction manual is constructed of the finest
material and the workmanship meets the highest standards. It has been thoroughly tested
and inspected before leaving the factory and when used in accordance with the
procedures outlined in this manual, will provide you with many years of safe and
dependable service.

Rev. 2003

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

READ BEFORE INSTALLING OR

WARNING or CAUTIO

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USING THE EQUIPMENT

Your Ultrasonic Atomizer has been designed with safety in mind. However, no design
can completely protect against imprope r usage, which may result in bodily injury and/or
equipment damage. Please observe the following warnings at all times, read the operating
instructions carefully before operating the equipment, and retain this instruction manual
for future reference. If the Ultrasonic Atomizer is used in a manner contrary to that
specified in this instruction manual, the protection features designed into the unit may be
impaired.

When mounting the probe, always clamp the upper portion of the converter housing.

Never clamp the probe.

Make sure the Ultrasonic Atomizer is properly grounded via a 3-prong outlet.
High voltage is present in the power supply. Do not remove the cover. Refer all servicing

to qualified service personnel.

To avoid electric shock, disconnect the ele ctrical power cord before removing the cover

prior to servicing.

Never operate the power supply unless it is connected to the converter.
Never secure anything to the probe, except at the nodal point (point of no activity).
Never touch a vibrating probe.
Never allow a microtip to vibrate in air for more than 10 seconds.
It is recommended that a sound abating enclosure or ear protection be used when

operating the Ultrasonic Atomizer.

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Where you see this alert symbol and WARNING or

CAUTION heading, strictly follow the warning instructions

to avoid personal injury or equipment failure.

WARNING

SECTION 1 – INSTALLATION

INSPECTION

Prior to installing the Ultrasonic Atomizer, perform a visual inspection to detect any
evidence of damage, which might have occurred during shipment. Before disposing of
any packaging material, check it carefully for small items.

The Ultrasonic Atomizer was carefully packed and thoroughly inspected before leaving
our factory. The carrier, upon acceptance of the shipment, assumed responsibility for its
safe delivery. Claims for loss or damage sustained in transit must be submitted to the
carrier.

If damage has occurred, cont act your carrier within 48 hours of the delivery date. DO

NOT OPERATE DAMAGED EQUIPMENT. Retain all packing materials for future

shipment.

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS

The Ultrasonic Atomizer requires a fused, single phrase 3-terminal grounding type
electrical outlet capable of supplying 50/ 60 Hz at 100 volts, 115 volts, 220 volts, or 240
volts, depending on the voltage option selected. For power requirements, check the label
on the back of the unit.

For your personal safety, do not, under any
circumstances, defeat the grounding feature of the

power cord by removing the grounding prong.

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INSTALLING THE ULTRASONIC PROCESSOR

The Ultrasonic Atomizer should be installed in an area that is free from excessive dust,
dirt, explosive and corrosive fumes, and extremes of temperature and humidity.

SECTION II – OPERATION

PRINCIPLES OF ULTRASONIC ATOMIZATION

The ultrasonic power sup ply converts 50/60 Hz line voltage to high frequency 20 kHz
(20,000 cycles per second) electrical energy. His electrical energy is transmitted to the
piezoelectric transducer with in the converter, where it is changed to mechanical
vibrations. The ultrasonic vibration are intensified by the nozzle and focused at the tip
where the atomization takes place. The liquid travels through the nozzle, and spreads out
as a thin film on the atomizing surface. The oscillations at the tip disintegrate the liquid
into micro-droplets, and then eject them to form a gentle, low velocity spray.

Unlike conventional atomizing nozzles that rely on pressure and high-velocity notion to
shear a fluid into small drops, the Ultrasonic Atomizer does not require any pressure, and
instead uses only low ultrasonic vibrational energy for atomization. The liquid can be
dispensed to the nozzle by either gravity feed or a small metering pump, and atomized
continuously or intermittently. In contrast to pressurized systems, the velocity of t he
droplets generated is very low-only 0.2 to 0.4 m/sec., compared with 5 to 20 m/sec.

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FUNCTIONS OF KEYS, CONTROLS, INDICATORS, AND CONNECTORS

POWER SWITCH ON position – energizes the power supply.

OFF position – de-energizes the power suppl y.
Illuminates when the power supply is energized.

OUTPUT CONTROL
POWER MONITOR (METER)

TUNE CONTROL

25-50 SCALE SELECT SWITCH

Increases or decreases the POWER
MONITOR sensitivity

Controls the amplitude of vibrations at the probe tip.
Indicates in watts the amount of ultrasonic power delivered to the

probe.
Optimizes power supply performance by tuning the power supply to
the converter / probe assembly.
In the 25 position the POWER MONITOR indicates the percentage of
ultrasonic power delivered to the pr obe up to 25 watts.
In the 50 position the POWER MONITOR indicates the percentage of
the ultrasonic power delivered to the probe up to 50 watts.

REAR PANEL

FOOTSWITCH CONNECTOR
OUTPUT CONNECTOR

POWER CORD
FUSE(S)

Connects to footswitch cable.
Connects to converter cabl e.

Connects to power supply to electrical outlet.
Protects against electrical overload.

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PREPARATION FOR USE

C

AUTION

CAUTION

Never place a washer between the probe and the converter.

Never apply grease to

NOTE

Never grip the converter in the vise. Using a wrench, twist the converter off the

Do not operate an Ultrasonic Atomizer that has been in a very cold or hot
environment for a prolonged period of time. Wait until it has reached room

temperature

1. Ensure that the AMPLITUDE is set to OFF.

2. Plug the electrical line cord into the electrical outlet.

3. If the optional footswitch is used, insert the plug into the jack located on the rear

panel. Make sure that the plug is inserted forcefully all the way in.

4. If the converter / probe assembly is not already assembled; using the wrenches

provided, screw securely the probe into the converter.

the mating surfaces or threads of the converter or microtip.

5. Mount the converter / probe assembly in a laboratory stand, secure the clamp to the

upper section of the converter housing only. Do not secure the clamp to any other
portion of the converter / probe assembly.

6. Push in the 1/8” (3.2 mm) liquid carrying plastic tubing into the nozzle liquid inlet.

7. Connect the converter cable to the power supply.

Should it become necessary to remove a probe, use the wrenches supplied. If the
probe has been attached to the converter for a long period of time it might be
necessary to use a vise. Be sure the vise has soft jaws or other means to prevent
scratching. Secure the wide diameter portion of the probe in the jaws of the vise.

probe. A tap of a hammer may be applied to the end of the wrench. Never attempt
to remove the probe by twisting the converter housing, as this may damage the
electrical connections within the housing.

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TUNING

CAUTION

ched operating temperature. When working with

Tune the power supply in accordance with the following procedures each time a new
converter or probe is used.

1. Ensure that the probe is not immersed in the liquid and that it does not come

in contact with anything.

2. Set OUTPUT CONTROL TO “100”.

3. Set 25-50 POWER MONITOR SCALE SELECT SWITCH to “25”.

4. Set POWER SWITCH to ON, and rotate the TUNE CONTROL clockwise or

counterclockwise until minimum (not maximum) reading (usually less than

30) is obtained on the POWER MONITOR. If minimum reading cannot be
obtained, make certain that the probe is tight. A loose probe will usually
generate a loud piercing sound.

5. Set OUTPUT CONTROL to “60”.

6. Set POWER SWITCH to OFF.

The power supply should be tuned after the probe has rea
low or high temperature liquids, immerse the probe in the liquid for a few minutes, withdraw the probe
out of the liquid, and then, tune the power supply.

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CAUTION

USING THE ULTRASONIC PROCESSOR

Do not operate the power supply unless it is connected to the converter.
High voltage is present in the power supply – do not operate with the cover off.

1. Ensure that the power supply is properly tuned.

2. Feed the liquid to the nozzle.

3. Set POWER SUPPLY to ON, if footswitch is used, depress footswitch.

4. Using OUTPUT CONTROL increase or decrease intensity as required.

5. Adjust liquid flow rate as desired.

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SECTION III – SERVICE INFORMATION

Your Ultrasonic Atomizer was designed to provide you with years of safe and
dependable service. Nevertheless, because of component failure or improper usage, the
possibility does exist that it might not perform as it should, or that it will stop working all
together. The most probable causes for malfunction are listed below and should be
investigated.

The unit was plugged into an electrical outlet that provides a different voltage from

that required. See Electrical Requirements.

The probe is not secured properly.
A fuse(s) has failed. If a fuse(s) has failed, proceed as follows:

1. Ensure that the power switch is set to OFF.

2. Open the fuse holder cover(s).

3. Replace the fuse(s).

4. Set the AMPLITUDE control to 50 and the power switch to ON. With the probe

in air (out of sample), the wattmeter should read below 20 watts. If the reading
exceeds 20 watts, set the power switch to OFF, and disconnect the probe from the
converter.

5. Set the power switch back to ON. If the wattmeter reads below 20 watts, the

probe has failed or is out of tune due to excessive erosion, and should be replaced.
If the wattmeter reads above 20 watts, either the converter or power supply has
failed and the complete Ultrasonic Atomizer should be returned for repair.

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IMPORTANT

NOZZLE CLEANING

Whenever possible, flush the nozzle with water or an appropriate solvent after use.
Ensure that there is no material build-up on the atomizing surface. If material build-up is

present, clean the atomizing surface with steel wool.
Clean the inside of the atomizing nozzle with a pipe cleaner or a small round brush. Do

not under any circumstance use a drill to remove materia l build-up.

RETURN OF EQUIPMENT

It is suggested that an Ultrasonic Atomizer in need of repair be sent back to the factory.

In order to receive prompt service; always contact the factory before returning any
instrument. Include date of purchase, mode l number and serial number. For instruments
not covered by the warranty, a purchase order should be forwarded to avoid unnecessary
delay. Care should be exercised to provide adequate packing to insure against possible
damage in shipment. The Ultrasonic Ato mizer should be sent to the “Service
Department” with all transportation charges prepaid and return of shipment indicated.

Please obtain a Return Authorization Number prior to returning the instrument.

I CERTIFY THAT THE ULTRASONIC ATOMIZER AND / OR ACCESSORIES RETURNED FOR
REPAIR ARE FREE OF ANY BIOHAZARDOUS OR RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL AND ARE
SAFE FOR HANDLING.

DO NOT RETURN ANY EQUIPMENT UNLESS SUCH CERTICATION CAN BE MADE.

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