The short answer
The ultrasonic equipment automates an eligible cleaning task. It does not repair broken components, replace missing parts, or prove that every dirty-looking object can be placed inside.
Use this sequence: confirm the dirty state, insert an eligible part, start the cycle, wait for completion, remove the part, and recheck the Notebook.
Step by step
1. Decide whether the station is needed yet
The ultrasonic equipment is a specialized mid-game purchase, not the safest first upgrade. Buy it when compatible dirty parts are appearing often enough that manual cleaning is slowing several repairs. Protect the cash required for active orders and replacement components first.
2. Find the equipment in the shop
The illustrated launch-build guide shows three ultrasonic bath entries in the equipment shop. Before publishing or following a price comparison, check the current in-game listing: equipment names, tiers, prices, and prerequisites can change with a patch.
3. Place the equipment in the workshop
After purchase, position the station where it can be used without losing track of the current repair. Keep the source device and its removed components organized so the cleaned part returns to the correct assembly.
4. Confirm the part is dirty—not broken
Use the Notebook or the game’s explicit status. A broken part needs replacement or later shredding. An ultrasonic cycle should not be treated as a way to convert a broken state into a working part.
5. Run one complete cleaning cycle
Current launch footage around 3:30:00 visibly demonstrates the equipment in use. The reliable operation pattern is:
- Select an eligible dirty component.
- Place it into the station.
- Start the cleaning action.
- Wait until the visible process completes.
- Retrieve the component.
- Recheck its status in the Notebook before reassembly.
Do not walk away from the status check. The purpose of the station is a completed clean state, not merely an animation.
Normal mistake or known issue?
| Symptom | Check first | Why | |---|---|---| | Part cannot be inserted | Eligibility and current state | Not every part is confirmed compatible | | Part remains unresolved | Notebook: dirty versus broken | Cleaning cannot replace a broken part | | Station behaves abnormally | Official known-issues notice | Sonic bath problems are acknowledged | | Repair still fails after cleaning | Other hidden or missing components | One cleaned part may not be the only fault |
What not to assume
- There is no verified complete compatibility list in this launch guide.
- A visually dirty part is not enough; use the game state.
- The three equipment tiers do not have published, controlled efficiency measurements here.
- Reinstalling, rolling back a save, or repeating the cycle is not a verified universal workaround.
Sources
- Official Steam achievements — confirms the ultrasonic or sonic bath equipment and the related Hands Free target.
- Official August 8 known-issues notice — confirms the current sonic bath issue.
- Kleynce’s illustrated 100% guide — shows three ultrasonic bath shop entries.
- Skoottie’s launch-version playthrough — shows the equipment running around 3:30:00.