Filter for 6 Liter Ultrasonic Cleaner

prusaprinters

<p>Have an ultrasonic cleaner but are tired of constantly changing the cleaning solution to avoid re-deposition of the gunk you just cleaned off of something? In particular, this is annoying for cleaning vinyl records.</p> <p>Traditionally, one would mount a filter and pump alongside the ultrasonic cleaner and connect it with hoses to trap suspended particles. This method works great but is bulky, prone to leaks and the most commonly used filters and pumps are expensive.</p> <p>This filter is submersed inside the ultrasonic tank and is powered by a small 3W / 200 L/Hour submersible fountain or aquarium pump that is widely available.</p> <p>As the entire filter is inside the ultrasonic cleaner, any leaks that might occur leak right back into the tank.</p> <p>While the filter media is merely filter string unwound from a commercial 5 micron water filter, one could fit a different filter element that is 25mm wide, has a 25mm center hole and is less than 60mm outer diameter. I also tried 1" wide elastic non-adhesive bandage roll, which flows easier than the string.</p> <p>The filter is sized to fit inside a 150mm wide 6 Liter ultrasonic cleaner. The first prototype was printed with insufficient infill and tended to float. The second prototype, pictured, was printed at 100% infill and does not float. I printed mine in PETG, which should hold up for the 30º-40ºC I usually clean things at. The flow is reasonably brisk with the media in place.</p> <p>Two filter inserts are provided, a taper seat (pictured) which sits nearly flush and a step seat for use with an O-ring for better sealing (not really necessary). The insert is held in place by a 4mm x 50mm bolt plus wing nut.</p> <p>Two holes are provided for a locating bracket which is merely a bent-up coat hanger. This bracket both secures the filter from moving around and holds it slightly off of the bottom of the tank. The ends can be bent up, attached with collets or flattened out to keep the filter from detaching. One could fit rubber feet to the bottom of the filter if desired.</p> <p>The inlet hole is printed small, and is reamed out with an 8mm drill bit to fit the pump outlet. If sized correctly, no glue is needed to hold the pump in place.</p> <p>As the complete assembly is inside of the tank, including the electric submersible pump, one must be careful of the cleaning solution used as well as the maximum water temperature. My cheap little pump, a "Driew" brand, doesn't seem to mind being inside a warm and vibrating ultrasonic tank using an aqueous cleaning solution.</p> <p>These submersible fountain pumps are available as both mains voltage and low voltage types, often fitted with a USB connector. I recommend the low voltage type, but find the 5 volts supplied by a USB adaptor to be a little low for best flow. 9 volts seems a better power level for my pump.</p> <p>When winding the filter string onto the insert, it is helpful to put the bolt through a large washer or other disc, then assemble it to the insert and then chuck it into a variable-speed drill. Feed the string into one of the holes and wind it a few turns by hand, then use the drill to wind the rest of the way. After cutting the string, tie the end to one of the outer layers, then remove the bolt and large washer. The string will stay in place long enough to assemble into the main housing. After it has been run wet and then dried out, the string doesn't tend to fall off the end of the insert. It is good practice to disassemble the filter and allow it to dry after use.</p> <h3>Print Settings</h3> <p><strong>Printer Brand:</strong></p> <p>Prusa</p> <p class="detail-setting printer"><strong>Printer: </strong> <div><p>i3 MK2.5</p></div> <p><strong>Rafts:</strong></p> <p>No</p> <p class="detail-setting supports"><strong>Supports: </strong> <div><p>No</p></div> <p><strong>Resolution:</strong></p> <p>350</p> <p class="detail-setting infill"><strong>Infill: </strong> <div><p>100</p></div> <p><strong>Filament:</strong> Generic PETG <br/> <p class="detail-setting notes"><strong>Notes: </strong></p> </p><div><p>This printed OK Face Up for the main body and Face Down for the insert without supports.<br/> a 4mm x 50mm bolt and a wing nut are needed. A 60mm disc with a central hole is useful for winding the filter string onto the insert. </p></div></p></p></p> Category: Household