Ultrasonic cleaner??

[turbguy]

The Canon print head is actually a special form of integrated circuit made from very tiny and thin structures, I would not recommend using an ultrasonic cleaner for print heads.

The ultrasonic cleaner works by creating cavitation. Cavitation is the mechanism that eats away pump impellers, ships' propellers etc.

It also eats away at thermal print head nozzle structures during operation...

 

[PeterBJ]

I think you are right. The rapid expansion and collapse of a vapour bubble to expel ink will likely also cause cavitation, which will eventually wear out the nozzles. But this possible cavitation only takes place where intended, and at an intended power level.

I think the ultrasonic cleaner will cause cavitation to happen "everywhere" and maybe at a much higher power level. So I have no intention to buy an inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner for print head cleaning.

I think the foil test linked to by Tudor in post #8 is enough of a warning for me not to try ultrasonic print head cleaning.

 

[Paul Verizzo]

The Canon print head is actually a special form of integrated circuit made from very tiny and thin structures, I would not recommend using an ultrasonic cleaner for print heads.

The ultrasonic cleaner works by creating cavitation. Cavitation is the mechanism that eats away pump impellers, ships' propellers etc.

I hear what you are saying, having grown up in a nautical environment.

I think the only way that the hypothesis can be answered is by experimentation. In my minimal poking around's, it's obvious that the frequency of the ultrasound is very critical to adequate cleaning. Low frequencies can't "get into" the very tiny nozzles.

Caveat emptor.