Plastics Industry
Efficient and gentle cleaning with dry ice
Clean Moulds, Precise Surfaces, Efficient Processes
In the plastics industry, precision in manufacturing is just as important as cleanliness in production. Residues of release agents or resins can reduce product quality or cause costly downtime. At the same time, components often need to be reworked or prepared for coating – without damaging the sensitive surfaces.
ASCOJET’s dry ice blasting technology provides the industry with an environmentally friendly, non-abrasive and high-precision cleaning solution that optimises manufacturing processes, improves component quality and reduces maintenance requirements. Gentle cleaning can also significantly extend tool life.
Mould Cleaning – Cleanliness Without Downtime
The cleaning of plastic moulds is crucial for consistently high product quality. Deposits of release agents or production residues lead to dimensional deviations, defects and variations in gloss.
With ASCOJET dry ice blasting machines, moulds can be cleaned whilst still installed – without removal, cooling time or dismantling. This significantly reduces downtime and improves productivity.
As the dry ice sublimates completely on impact, there is no secondary waste, no wastewater and no residues that could damage the mould or tool. The cleaning process is dry and non-abrasive, making it suitable even for sensitive surfaces and precision tools. Thanks to this gentle cleaning method, the moulds – particularly the parting lines – are not damaged, thus preventing further warping of the castings.
Deburring and Edge Trimming – Precise Finishing Without Damage
Plastic parts often need to be deburred after injection moulding or forming. Conventional methods such as grinding, brushing or chemical cleaning are time-consuming, generate waste and carry the risk of damaging the surface.
Dry ice blasting with ASCOJET systems removes burrs and residues precisely and evenly without altering the material structure. The combination of thermal shock, the resulting microscopic cracking in the burrs and the kinetic energy of the dry ice particles causes unwanted material protrusions to detach from the component in a controlled manner, whilst the actual surface remains unaffected.
The result: clean, dimensionally accurate components with a perfect surface finish – ideal for visible plastic components or parts with tight tolerances.
Surface Preparation – The Perfect Foundation for Painting and Coating
Before painting, bonding or coating, plastic parts must be free of dust, grease and release agent residues. Even the smallest contaminants can lead to adhesion problems or defects.
Dry ice blasting allows surfaces to be cleaned thoroughly and gently without altering the structure of the material. The method leaves no residue and is ideal for preparing even sensitive components for subsequent processes.
By combining mechanical cleaning with a thermal effect, the process achieves a microscopically clean surface – a decisive advantage for high-quality paint finishes or coatings.
Composite Mould Cleaning – Safety and Quality in Composite Manufacturing
Tool cleaning plays a central role in the processing of composite materials (e.g. carbon fibre reinforced plastic or glass fibre reinforced plastic). Residues or release agents can compromise component quality and dimensional accuracy.
ASCOJET dry ice blasting systems can efficiently remove these residues without damaging the tool surface. The process is particularly suitable for high-precision moulds in the aerospace, automotive and plastics industries, where other cleaning methods would be too aggressive.
Cleaning takes place directly inside the mould, thereby minimising process interruptions and extending maintenance intervals – a clear efficiency advantage in series production.
Efficiency, Safety and Sustainability – The Benefits at a Glance
The use of dry ice in plastics processing offers numerous operational and environmental benefits:
Improved manufacturing efficiency
Cleaning without the need for dismantling or cooling-down time reduces downtime.
Non-abrasive cleaning method
Protects moulds, tools and surfaces.
Improved part quality
Clean moulds and surfaces ensure consistent precision.
No secondary waste
No water, no solvents, no waste.
Residue-free cleaning
No risk of contamination on components.
Safe for the environment and staff
Dry ice is food-safe, non-flammable and leaves no chemical residue.
In-House Dry Ice Production for the Plastics Industry
For companies that regularly require dry ice for cleaning processes, ASCO offers complete systems for on-site dry ice production. With ASCO dry ice production machines, the required blasting media can be produced as and when needed – economically, safely and independently of external suppliers.
Plastics processors thus benefit from a sustainable, reliable and future-proof supply of dry ice that is perfectly tailored to their production processes.
Clean Moulds. Precise Components. Efficient Production.
Whether it’s mould cleaning, deburring or surface preparation – with dry ice and CO₂ solutions from ASCO, companies in the plastics industry rely on maximum process reliability, consistent quality and maximum efficiency.
+41 71 466 80 80
info@ascoco2.com
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