Dry Ice Blasting in the Parts Molding & Forming Industries

Core Boxes

Dry ice blasting allows the molds to be cleaned in place. They need not be removed and can even be cleaned hot. Reduce line down time up to 90% over conventional cleaning. Permanent core molders use dry ice blasting to clean mold release agents because their residue can cause mold fouling and lubbers. No added solvents or water needed; dry ice leaves no residue. It also cleans the slot and screen vents at the same time. Dry ice cleaning will not damage the molds, or distort their shape, so their productive life is increased.

Interior Parts and Panels

Acoustic and Vibratory Mats - Dashboards and Door Assemblies - Headliners - Steering Wheels. Molds used to manufacture fibrous acoustical and thermal management materials, dash and door assemblies, automotive headliners, and steering wheels are cleaned using dry ice blasting. The ability to clean tooling hot and in-place results in significant reductions in down-time and greater productivity.

 

Tires and Gaskets

Nearly every major tire manufacturing plant cleans molds hot and in-place using dry ice blasting. Compared to cooling the molds, removing them from the press and cleaning them in a remote location, dry ice blasting results in significantly greater productivity. Dry ice blasting eliminates wear on the molds, no wearing from blasting grit, or need for scraping with other tools. Dry ice blast cleaning clears build-up that causes mold fouling and improper curing of tires. Dry ice cleaning also clears the mold vents and micro vent in the curing molds, allowing the needed ventilation.

Seats

Dry ice blasting allows molds for seats, and seat parts, to be cleaned on-line, lowering line slowdowns and the need to remove molds for cleaning.

 

Polycarbonate Plastics

Dry ice blasting removes hardened plastic, mold release agents, and plastic build-up. Dry ice blasting does not require solvents or the disassembly of the molds or work transfer system. Dry ice blast cleaning leaves a smooth surface, preventing damage to the finished product surface, thus lowering waste and scrap costs.

 

Mold Cleaning

Cleaning using dry ice blasting removes built-up release agent, overspray, and other molding process by-products. Heavy build-up, up to three inches thick, can be removed by dry ice blasting, leaving no secondary toxic waste from solvents.