Benchtop

SD benchtop cleaners (STS)

Benchtop ultrasonic cleaners from 2 to 30 L with heating, 40 kHz, degas and sweep, for the lab, the workshop and the service counter.

Discuss your processSpecifications

SD benchtop cleaners (STS)
STB basic benchtop cleanersSD benchtop cleaners (STS)Sonixtek® SX seriesST industrial ultrasonic tanksSF cleaners with filtrationUMX Pro compact industrial cleanersSPR rotating spray washersDT hot-air drying tanksAL ultrasonic cleaners with liftAU Advanced industrial cleanersMulti-tank cleaning lines
STS-150 — SD benchtop cleaners (STS)

About this series

The STS benchtop range covers 2 to 30 litres for the bench, the laboratory and the service counter. A thick acid- and corrosion-resistant stainless-steel tank, a digital panel with touch buttons, temperature adjustable to 80 °C, a timer from 1 to 99 minutes, a degas function that drives the dissolved air out of a fresh bath so the ultrasound works from the first minute, and a sweep function that shifts the frequency slightly so no part sits in a dead spot.

A stainless steel lid and basket are included. These are the units that are bought without a site visit, which is why they are the first in the range to carry a published price.

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SD benchtop cleaners (STS)

What the STS offers

The straightforward benchtop range: a stainless tank, heating, degas and sweep on a simple digital panel, from 2 to 30 litres: our most economical range with degas and sweep.

Select a function for the details.

SD benchtop cleaners (STS)

40 kHz, 60 W transducers

Every tank runs at 40 kHz on transducers rated 60 W each: one under the 2 L tank, ten under the 30 L.

40 kHz gives small, fine cavitation bubbles: the right choice for small parts, instruments, jewellery, optics and electronics, where a gentle but thorough clean matters more than raw force.

The transducer count grows with the tank: 1 on the STS-020, 2 on the STS-030, 3 on the STS-060, 4 on the STS-090, 6 on the STS-150, 8 on the STS-200 and 10 on the STS-300. That gives between about 20 and 40 W of ultrasound per litre of bath.

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SD benchtop cleaners (STS)

Degas

Drives the dissolved air out of a fresh bath, so the ultrasound works fully from the first minute.

Fresh tap water and freshly mixed chemistry hold dissolved air. Under ultrasound that air forms bubbles that cushion the implosions, so a new bath cleans poorly at first and sounds loud and hissing.

Degas runs the ultrasound in an on-off rhythm: the bubbles grow, rise and leave the liquid. Use it after every fresh fill or change of chemistry, for a few minutes before the first load.

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SD benchtop cleaners (STS)

Sweep

Shifts the frequency slightly so the sound field keeps moving: no dead spots in the basket.

At one fixed frequency the sound forms standing waves: zones of strong and weak cavitation about 2 cm apart at 40 kHz. Parts in a weak zone clean slower.

Sweep moves the frequency up and down by a small amount, many times a second, so the zones keep moving and every surface gets the same treatment.

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SD benchtop cleaners (STS)

Heating to 80 °C

A built-in heater and thermostat keep the bath at the set temperature, up to 80 °C.

Most cleaners work best warm: oils and greases soften from about 40 to 60 °C, and the chemistry acts faster. Heaters range from 100 W on the small tanks to 800 W on the 20 and 30 L.

Switch the heater on early: a full STS-090 takes roughly an hour to go from 20 to 50 °C with its 300 W heater. During long cycles the ultrasound itself also warms the bath a few degrees.

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SD benchtop cleaners (STS)

Digital panel, touch buttons

Set time from 1 to 99 minutes and the temperature on a digital panel; the display shows the countdown and the bath temperature.

The touch buttons sit on a flat panel that wipes clean. The timer stops the ultrasound automatically at the end of the cycle; the heater keeps holding the set temperature.

SD benchtop cleaners (STS)

Thick stainless steel tank

A thick, acid- and corrosion-resistant stainless steel tank that stands up to daily use with cleaning chemistry.

The tank is stainless steel with the transducers bonded under the floor. It resists the alkaline and mildly acidic cleaners used for workshop, laboratory and jewellery work.

Never run the tank empty, and do not let parts lie on the tank floor: use the basket.

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SD benchtop cleaners (STS)

Drain valve from 6 L

From the STS-060 up, a ball valve on the side empties the bath without lifting the unit.

Connect a hose to the valve and drain the used bath into a container. A full STS-300 holds up to 30 litres, too heavy to tip safely.

The STS-020 and STS-030 have no valve; they are light enough to empty by hand.

SD benchtop cleaners (STS)

Lid and basket included

A stainless steel lid and basket come with every unit.

Use the basket: parts must not lie on the tank floor, where they damp the ultrasound and wear the tank. The lid keeps heat and vapour in and lowers the noise.

Larger STS models carry up to 30 to 50 kg of parts in the basket.

Read more in the knowledge base

SD benchtop cleaners (STS)

Economical choice

Our most economical benchtop range with degas and sweep, for routine cleaning where the SX functions are not needed.

The STS covers what most benches need: heat, degas, sweep and a timer. If you need pulse, power steps, a memory or the quieter digitally controlled generator, choose the SX.

Models with a price shown can be ordered by e-mail at that price; every other size is quoted on request.

Models

Every size in this series.

SD benchtop cleaners (STS) · Sonixtek® SX series

STS or SX?

Both are benchtop ranges with a stainless steel tank, heating, degas and sweep, and a digital timer. The STS is the proven, simple unit. The SX adds a digitally controlled generator with pulse and power steps, a memory and an IP54 housing, for benches where cleaning is daily work and noise matters.

SD benchtop cleaners (STS)STSSonixtek® SX seriesSX
Sizes2 to 30 L, 8 models3 to 28 L, 5 models
Frequency40 kHz37 kHz
Transducer rating60 W80 W
GeneratorConventional generatorDigital generator under microcontroller control
Noise in operationNormal for a benchtop unitNoticeably quieter
Ultrasonic power (range)60 to 600 W160 to 640 W
Heating power (range)100 to 800 W150 to 620 W
Bath functionsDegas, sweepDegas, sweep, pulse
Power setting—40 / 70 / 100 %
Memory of last settings—Yes
ControlsDigital panel, touch buttonsTwo knobs, touch buttons, LED display
Temperature0–80 °C20–80 °C
Timer1–99 min1–99 min
Housing protection—IP54
Drain valveFrom 6 LFrom 10 L; on request below
IncludedLid, basketLid, basket

Size for size

The nearest sizes of the two ranges side by side, taken from the specification tables.

Nominal volume*Ultrasonic powerTransducersHeating power
STS-0303 L120 W2100 W
SX-3L3 L160 W2150 W
STS-0606 L180 W3300 W
SX-6L6 L240 W3270 W
STS-0909 L240 W4300 W
SX-10L10 L320 W4310 W
STS-15015 L360 W6400 W
SX-15L15 L480 W6470 W
STS-30030 L600 W10800 W
SX-28L28 L640 W8620 W

— : not specified in the STS documentation. Figures from the manufacturers' specification sheets. Noise: Sonixtek's assessment from use; no measured sound levels are published.

* Nominal volume: calculated from the inner tank dimensions (length × width × height). Rounded corners, the tank's construction and the maximum fill line mean the amount of liquid in use is lower.

SD benchtop cleaners (STS)

Specifications

STS-020STS-030STS-060STS-090STS-150STS-150-PROSTS-200STS-300
Nominal volume*2 L3 L6 L9 L15 L15 L20 L30 L
Tank size150 × 140 × 100 mm240 × 140 × 100 mm300 × 155 × 150 mm300 × 240 × 150 mm330 × 300 × 150 mm330 × 240 × 180 mm500 × 300 × 150 mm500 × 300 × 200 mm
Machine size190 × 170 × 230 mm275 × 170 × 240 mm330 × 180 × 310 mm330 × 270 × 310 mm360 × 330 × 330 mm330 × 270 × 360 mm550 × 330 × 330 mm550 × 330 × 380 mm
Load capacity5 kg10 kg15 kg20 kg30 kg30 kg40 kg50 kg
Ultrasonic power60 W120 W180 W240 W360 W360 W480 W600 W
Heating power100 W100 W300 W300 W400 W500 W800 W800 W
Frequency40 kHz40 kHz40 kHz40 kHz40 kHz40 kHz40 kHz40 kHz
Transducers123466810
TimerDigital———Digital—DigitalDigital
Temperature range0-80 °C———0-80 °C—0-80 °C0-80 °C

* Nominal volume: calculated from the inner tank dimensions (length × width × height). Rounded corners, the tank's construction and the maximum fill line mean the amount of liquid in use is lower.

Custom machines

Not in the standard range? We build it.

Every industrial machine is made to order, so the tank size, material, heating, filtration, lid, lift and controls follow your parts and your process. If the machine you need is not on this page, describe the parts and the soil and we design it around them.

Describe your partsAll options explainedSee custom builds

Let's find the right fit

Not sure which size you need?

Send us the part, the quantity per hour and the soil you are removing. We will size the tank and the frequency with you.

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Region

Choose your country or region

Sonixtek machines are supplied by a regional company or partner. Your choice sets the contact details shown on the site and where your enquiry is handled.