USER INSTRUCTIONS OF

ULTRASONIC EQUIPMENTS

Revision 1
March 2014
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 CONTENTS

1. Generalities about ultrasonic slicing

2. The different components
3. Characterization of the different components
4. Normal prescribed conditions
5. Ultrasonic user troubleshooting

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2. Generalities about ultrasonic slicing

• Ultrasounds = waves of frequencies between 20 kHz

approximately and hundreds of MHz (theoretically
inaudible)

•For slicing, High power US– kW (modifying the

propagation environment.) Low power US are reserved
to measuring or control applications (inert on the
propagation environment.)

•Relatively recent technology (70s) adapted to fragile

products slicing.
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2. Generalities about ultrasonic slicing (2)

• US production possible thanks to piezoelectric effect

(distortion of a material – here ceramics submitted to an
electrical polarization.)

• Slicing set including a generator, a transmitter (or

transducer), possibly a booster, a blade (or a sonotrode in
general.)

• Electrical energy : supplied by the generator. Conversion

of electrical energy in mechanical energy done by the
ultrasonic transducer.

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 3. The different components
Overview and amplification principle

Amplitude according to z (slicing axis)

TRANSDUCER
ceramics TRANSDUCER
A
Amplitude

K1 :
BOOSTER booster K1 * A
BOOSTER
BLADE amplitude
ratio
K1 *K2* A

K2 : blade BLADE
z amplitude
ratio

Time
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 The different components
3.1 The ultrasonic generator

Ultrasonic Generator
cable (HF) 20kHz
4 powers
possible:
1kW, 1,5kW
2kW, 3kW
Pocket
+ interface
cable

Power cable
(220V single-
phase)

HT (≈ 1000V)
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 The different components
3.2 The ultrasonic transmitter

Bare
transmitter
(20 et
25kHz)

Covered
transmitter
20kHz

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 The different components
3.3 The booster
BOOSTER ROLE: interface component permitting
to increase or reduce the vibrating amplitude
transmitted to the blade.

Booster 1 Booster 1,5 Booster 2

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 The different components
3.3 The booster (continuation)

Transmitter
side S1

Blade side
S2

BOOSTER AMPLIFICATION RATIO : ratio of the

transmitter side surface (S1) / blade side surface
(S2). If ratio > 1, vibration can be amplified.

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 The different components
3.3 The booster (end)

Moving modelling view of a booster 1

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 The different components
3.4 The blade
•It exists different profiles, according to the finished
product wanted. Material : titanium alloy
• The objective is to get a maximal vibration on the
cutting edge at 20000Hz frequency, homogeneous and
oriented according to the cutting axis (limit the cross-
functional moving)
RESTRICTIONS ON SIZES:
->Blade height determined according to the frequency
(approximately 150mm or 270mm for 20kHz)
->Blade width limited by the frequency (approximately
400mm maxi for 20kHz)
->Lights needed from a certain width (isolation of the
parasite mode of vibration
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 The different components
3.4 The blade (continuation)
Semi
wavelength
blade

BOOSTER 1
ADVOCATED

PARALLEL EDGE
BLADE (for high to
Wavelengt very high products,
h blade high amplitude)
Can be
asymmetrical
(cheese, nougat…
Blade slicing)
protection Page 12/36
 The different components
3.4 The blade (continuation)
EXPONENTIAL
BLADE (high
amplitude, very
few angle,
doesn’t permit
thr cut-puch)

CORNER
BLADE (to make
slices, low
amplitude)

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 The different components
3.4 The blade (end)

Moving modelling view of a parallel edges

blade
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 4. Typifying method of the different
components
• Resonance frequency of a lonely blade measure.
• -> oscilloscope + GBF

• Fast measure of the resonance frequency and

impedance of a set including transmitter ->
impédancemètre

•Finer measure (same + characteristcs R,L,C)

of a set including a transmitter
-> impedance analysis
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 4. Typifying method of the different
components
(continuation)
• Measure of a generator + blade set functioning
(frequency, powe, intensity…)
-> multimetre high frequency

•Measure of blade amplitude

-> comparator with dial

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 US repair guide
5.1 The ultrasonic generator
NORMAL FUNCTIONING CONDITIONS
• Maximal daily use of 8h during 5 days a week.
•Generators use only on transmitters, boosters and blades SODEVA
TDS.
•Working temperature included between 15 and 25°C, possible
extension to 5-15°C or 25-35°C only after specific agreement of
SODEVA TDS
• No dismantling, reassembly permitted, except with preliminary
agreement of SODEVA TDS
•Functioning with resonance, with starting frequency (fstart) and
offsets on strength of current according to factory settings
•Vacuum starting of the generators (never in charge) and no
unplug while working

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 US Repair guide
5.2 Ultrasonic transmitter

NORMAL FUNCTIONING CONDITIONS

-Normal maximal daily use of 8hours durinfg5 days a week
-Working temperature between 15 and 22°C, possible
extension to 5-15°C or 25-35°C only after specific agreement
from SODEVA TDS
-Ultrasonic transmitter cooling by dry air, security by
machine activated if present
-Water projection forbidden on transmitter’s neighborhood
-No dismantling, reassembly permitted, except with specific
agreement from SODEVA TDS

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 US Repair guide
5.3 The booster

NORMAL FUNCTIONING CONDITIONS

• Maximal daily use of 8h during 5 days a week

• Working temperature between 15 and 25°C, possible

extension to 5-15°C or 25-35°C only after specific
agreement from SPDEVA TDS

• No dismantling, reassembly permitted, except with

preliminary agreement from SODEVA TDS

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 US Repair guide
5.4 The blade
NORMAL FUNCTIONING CONDITIONS
• Maximal daily use of 8h during 5 days a week
•Blade use only on transmitters, boosters ang generators
from SODEVA TDS
•Working temperature between 15 and 25°C, possible
extension to 5-15°C or 25-35°C only after specific
agreeement from SODEVA TDS
•No dismantling, reassembly, except with preliminary
agreement from SODEVA TDS
• Before using the blades, the booster has to be held and
immobilized by its holding flange
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 US Repair guide
5.4 The blade(continuation)
NORMAL PRESCRIBED CONDITIONS

• Functioning with resonance, with starting frequency (fstart)

and offsets on current power according to factory settlings
•Maximal distortion amplitude of the cutting edge
measure with comparator in the way of the cutting axis :
60 microns (from crest to crest)
•In case of assembly of several blades side by side,
imperative respect of a 0,4 slack minimum between each
blade, given that the booster is held and immobilized by
its holding flange.

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 Conditions normales prescrites
Limitation des puissances

• La puissance moyenne consommée est déterminée par

l’Energie consommée (Ws) divisée par le temps de
fonctionnement (ces informations sont disponibles p25,
sur l’écran de gauche)
• La puissance maximale consommée est une valeur
conservée en mémoire par le générateur après arrêt des
US.
• Dans le cas de produits difficiles à couper (durs ou
collants), les seuils des conditions normales prescrites
risquent d’être dépassés. Dans ce cas, il ne faut pas se
tenir aux cadences théoriques de la machine, mais
réduire la vitesse de coupe, jusqu’à revenir en deçà des
seuils. Page 22/36
 User instructions of the ultrasonic generator
General presentation
TEST button of
the generator
Ultrasonic 20kHz
cable (HF) generator
4 different
models of
generators :
1kW, 1,5kW
Detachable
2kW, 3kW
frontpanel
+ interface
cable
Power supply
cable

HT (≈ 1000V)
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 User instructions of the ultrasonic generator
Key parameters

KEY PARAMETERS OF THE ULTRASONIC (US)

GENERATOR :

•The start frequency (fstart)

•The vibration amplitude set point (Amplitude)
•Offsets on power intensity (A Offsets)

THESE PARAMETERS ARE SPECIFIC TO EACH BLADE,

DEPENDING ALSO UPON TRANSDUCERS. A WRONG
SETTING OF THEM CAN BREAK THE GENERATOR
AND / OR THE BLADE
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 User instructions of the ultrasonic generator
Présentation of the detachable frontpanel
GENERAL PRESENTATION (valid for all kind of 20kHz
generators)
Menu : access to
Defaults settings
indicators MODE 2
MODE 1 Working frequency
MODE 1 <-> (in kHz)
MODE 2
Vibration amplitude
setpoint (ajustable
Power (W) between 50% and
100%)
LOCKING. If the
TEST button : padlock is closed,
to start the a password is
ultrasonics Indication of the delivered power necessary to
direcly from the (lights)
frontpanel browse on the
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 User instructions of the ultrasonic generator
Settings
ADJUSTMENT OF START FREQUENCY FOLLOWING TO
A BLADE, TRANSDUCER OR GENERATOR CHANGE
1) Push at the middle of
the screen. Enter the
password if needed and
validate with « OK »
2) Adjust the fstart at
the value given by
SODEVA TDS. Use the
arrows if necessary.

3) Validate the setting

by pushing on « EXIT »
IMPORTANT : the start frequency (fstart) must be set so that the
working frequency is less of about 0,1kHz than it, when amplitude is
set at 50% and offsets at 0
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 User instructions of the ultrasonic generator
Settings (2)
SETTING OF THE VIBRATION AMPLITUDE SETPOINT
1) Press on « MENU ».
Enter the password if
needed and validate
with « OK »
2) Press on
« Nominal »

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 User instructions of the ultrasonic generator
Settings (3)
SETTING OF THE VIBRATION AMPLITUDE SETPOINT (NEXT)
3) Press on « Digital » 4) Press on
(black button) and validate « Amplitude »
with « EXIT ».
NOTA : THE« ANALOGIC »
BUTTON ALLOWS TO MONITOR
THE AMPLITUDE DIRECTLY WITH
THE PLC

5) Press on the
choosen value. Use
the arrows if
necessary. Validate
the settings by
pushing twice on
« EXIT ».
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 User instructions of the ultrasonic generator
Settings (4)
SETTING OF OFFSETS ON INTENSITY

1) Press on « MENU ». Enter 2) Press on « A

the password if needed and offsets »
validate with « OK »

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 User instructions of the ultrasonic generator
Settings (end)
SETTING OF OFFSETS ON INTENSITY
3) Press on « A max offs. » Once
done, the « Amax offs. » must be
displayed in white
4) Enter the chosen value.
Use the arrows if
necessary

TAKE CARE, ALWAYS RESPECT :

Amax offs. <=0
Amin offs. = 0
DO NEVER CHANGE SETTINGS
5) Push twice on MADE BY SODEVA TDS WITHOUT
« EXIT »
OUR PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT
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 User instructions of the ultrasonic generator
Other possible settings
• Continuous working of the US after release of the « TEST » button :
By Menu /I/O / « sélection commande », choose « Latch ». Than,
press twice on the « EXIT » button

•Working in an alternative mode : By Menu / Op. Modes. Use

« Timer » to set the US time and « Off-Timer » to set the time
without US. Than, press twice on « EXIT ».
Ajust also continuous working of the US after release of the « TEST »
button.
NOTA : If one mode (for e.g. : A offsets) is not displayed on the
screen, add it by ticking it ( Menu /Configure)

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 User instructions of the ultrasonic generator
Defaults treatment
NO US : WHAT YOU SHOULD DO ?
1)Check that the transducer is cooled, the power supply
cable of the generator and all cables are connected

2)Disconnect the HF cable from the generator and push the

« TEST » button :
-> if a red lights appears, the default comes from the
generator. If it remains after pushing the « TEST »
button, the generator could be damaged. Please do
not use it anymore and contact SODEVA TDS.
-> if no light in on(even the green one), the generator
is broken. Please contact SODEVA TDS.
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User instructions of the ultrasonic generator
Defaults treatment (2)
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE THE DEFAULT« E:ASI CHECK
SONOTRODE TRANSDUCER CABLE »
1)Check that the « fstart » value is correctly set
2)Do a test without product. If no default, go to step 6. If the
default remains, check tightening of all components
(transducer / booster / blade)
3)If the default remains, it should be an electrical problem
(generator or HF cable or connector or transducer.) Check
that the generator is working (step 2 p10)
4)If yes, disconnect the HF cable from the transducer and
push the « TEST » button of the generator.
If the default disappears, the HF cable is working.
If not, go to step 5
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 User instructions of the ultrasonic generator
Defaults treatment (3)
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE THE DEFAULT« E:ASI CHECK
SONOTRODE TRANSDUCER CABLE »
5) Disconnect the transducer and measure its capacity
(photo) The value should
be close to 12 -
14nF. If not, either
the transducer or a
connector is not
working. Please
contact SODEVA
TDS
6) Write down the maximum power with product and check
that it is less than 500Hz than the nominal power of the
generator, all offsets adjusted at 0. If it is not the case, try to
reduce it by decreasing the cutting speed and the vibration
amplitude. Page 34/36
 User instructions of the ultrasonic generator
Defaults treatment (end)
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE THE DEFAULT « E-SEARCH » ? 
1)Check that the « fstart » value is correctly set
2)Set the amplitude of the generator at the minimum value
(50%.) Perform a test without product, than with product (A
max offset set at 0.)
3)If the default remains without product, check tightening of
each component. If the default remains with product, go to
step 4.
4)Write down the maximum power with product and check
that it is less than 500Hz than the nominal power of the
generator, all offsets adjusted at 0. If it is not the case, try to
reduce it by decreasing the cutting speed and the vibration
amplitude.
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User instructions of the ultrasonic generator
Helping guide to reduce the noise
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE HIGH NOISE ? 
1)Clean the blade and check if the noise is reduced without
product, Amax offset set at 0 (contact SODEVA TDS in case of
important noise in that case)
2)Make a cutting test at a low speed, amplitude set to 50%
3)If no noise and if the product is not sticking, it is OK.
4)If not, for each products : modify amplitude, cutting speed ;
in order to find the best parmeters compromise
TAKE CARE : Always respect the level of power given in the
general terms and conditions. If SODEVA TDS has set a
negative Amax offset, do not modify it without our
preliminary agreement.
5)If the noise persists, try to reduce maximum intensity of the
generator (negative A max offset)
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