Ultrasonic cleaners for end users?

[JCB]

Instead of using the common microfiber cloth to clean lenses, would an ultrasonic cleaner be a better option?

Some users have expressed concerns if the cloth would still (over time) scratch the coating/lens. Would an ultrasonic cleaner do away with that concern? Also would the cleaning be more effective?

Lastly, any consumer level ultrasonic cleaners to suggest?

[chip anderson]

Best ecconmic bet, Harbor Freight on sale $9.95 now and then, exactly fits one pair of spectacles, runs 3 min and shuts itself off. But you still gotta dry dem glasses with somethin, what u gonna use?

Chip

Note really grungy glasses may take 3 cycles to come clean.

[LENNY]

what would you do with the nose cheese then!?

[chip anderson]

Soup de jour

[JCB]

You guys crack me up! :)

$9.95 from Harbor Freight? That's a good deal.

As for drying, wouldn't patting using a dry towel or tissue do?

[Chris Ryser]

Instead of using the common microfiber cloth to clean lenses, would an ultrasonic cleaner be a better option?


There is also an other solution.....................if you apply a slick coat to AR coated lenses, and it can be done long after they have been made, you totally seal the spaces between the AR crystals and create a smooth surface (where Lenny's suggested nose cheese, or Chip's soup du jour) can not penetrate and makes the micro fiber cloth obsolete.

Furthermore you will not endanger the coating to delaminate through the shaking of ultrasonic waves. :finger:

[Chris Ryser]

Somehow message posted 2x......................so I made a delete. :hammer:

[Johns]

what would you do with the nose cheese then!?


You wouldn't have nose cheese if you used the ultra sonic unit regularly.

[chip anderson]

John's the unit from Harbor freight it's big enough to get one's nose in it. Just right for a frame though.

[Happylady]

I thought that lenses with AR shouldn't be cleaned in an ultra sonic unit.

[Chris Ryser]

I thought that lenses with AR shouldn't be cleaned in an ultra sonic unit.


Happy...................I think you thought right

[Jim Schafer]

When I was involved with plant start ups, I would dip my glasses in the 1st US tank and rinse with clean water. The first tank at that time held only a cleaner called microsoap and DI water. It was great for cleaning lenses before they went into a clean room. One day, an equipment tech who cleaned his eyewear the same way told me his pair crazed on him. He got another pair, did the same daily routine and checked the lenses weekly with our lab's microscope camera set up. He started seeing micro cracks after about 5 weeks and stopped the experiment. The micro cracks "blossomed" into full crazing about a month later.
These were 60 gallon tanks with the highest powered US frequency at that time. You could not hold your hand in the tank for more than a few moments without pulling back in pain and it could literally tear holes in aluminum foil used for balancing the elements.

I am sure a small unit would not tear a pair of eyewear up like that but long term microcracking is something to question the vendor about.

Jim

[Happylady]

Happy...................I think you thought right

I thought I should bring it up since it hadn't been mentioned. I labeled my ultra sonic unit at work that AR lenses shouldn't be put in it, I always remove them when I clean a frame.

I had a patient bring back his mirrored sunglasses we had made him. They coating looked terrible and he swore he was very careful with them and how he cleaned them. Then he told me he had bought a ultra sonic unit from Sharper Image and used it often. I told him I suspected it was causing the problem.

[Chris Ryser]

I am sure a small unit would not tear a pair of eyewear up like that but long term microcracking is something to question the vendor about.
Jim

Now you heard it from the lions mouth. Lenny and Chip have to keep their nose cheese and soup du jour for another occasion.

You just might look at other solutions to correct problem. There have some been mentioned on this thread.

[EyeFitWell]

Boy, you've definately got concerned pts on your hands if you can get them to actually use the microfiber cloth enough to question it!
I give out the cloths with the purchase of Alize, so frankly I don't care what they clean them with. If you scratch them, I'll replace them for two years, unlimited times. I still tell people how to 'properly' clean glasses, but I know they'll do what they want anyway.
Jewelry stores sell ultrasonic units, not large enough to fit glasses, but they sell them for at home use to clean jewelry. It makes sense that the consumer should be able to purchase said unit if they choose. Hey, let's face it, if it reduces the world's nose cheese, I'm all for it!

[chip anderson]

Certian jewels don't like Sonic Cleaners either. I used to have a list of jewels that should not be put in the Sonic Cleaner (will ammend this when I have asked my jeweler for complete list again). I do remember that Opals were on the list.
Why is this important to optical? We all have women that ask us "Would you mind cleaning my ......... while I'm here. Can be expensive if you bring the piece back without a stone in one piece.

Chip
Don't Clean List
Opals
Pearls
Emeralds
Tanzanite

[Happylady]

Certian jewels don't like Sonic Cleaners either. I used to have a list of jewels that should not be put in the Sonic Cleaner (will ammend this when I have asked my jeweler for complete list again). I do remember that Opals were on the list.
Why is this important to optical? We all have women that ask us "Would you mind cleaning my ......... while I'm here. Can be expensive if you bring the piece back without a stone in one piece.

Chip

We clean our diamond rings in the unit and once a small diamond came out of a ring. I wouldn't want to clean patient's jewerly in it.

[chip anderson]

Coming loose isn't too bad of a problem, some stones come apart.

[EyeFitWell]

The jewlry stores "check" the stones by pushing gently with a plastic stick. If the stone wiggles, it must be tightened before cleaning in the ultrasonic. Good point, Chip!

[EyeFitWell]

Chip, the point I was getting to was that consumers already have access to ultrasonic cleaners for their own use if they choose to buy them. I am not recommending that we offer ring cleaning while they search for a frame! :D