Cleaning dirty moulds, machines or parts often causes problems. When cleaning methods such as sandblasting are used, blasting media such as glass granulate or sand remain after cleaning. Now it is necessary to clean the equipment again after this cleaning. This means additional work, which of course also means additional costs. If one decides to use a dry ice machine for cleaning, this additional effort becomes superfluous. After blasting, the dry ice pellets dissolve completely into carbon dioxide (CO2). All that remains is cleanliness.
How does a dry ice machine work?
A dry ice blasting unit can accelerate the dry ice pellets, which can be up to 3 mm in size, by setting the compressed air to over 150 m/s. The dirt freezes due to the cold of – 79 °C and develops cracks. With their high speed, the dry ice pellets can then easily detach the dirt. This method is very effective and is used to remove any dirt without damaging the material.
Liquid carbon dioxide flows into the Pelletizer press cylinder during the production process and the pressure drop turns it into dry ice snow. With the help of a hydraulic cylinder, this dry ice snow is compressed and finally pressed through a special extruder plate. In this way, dry ice sticks are created. They then break into pellets.
What are the advantages of dry ice blasting?
When cleaning, you can save yourself preparatory work. It is not necessary to dismantle machines for cleaning. The pellets reach even the smallest corners without any problems. Since cleaning with dry ice pellets is fast and effective, you benefit from minimal machine downtime. The dry ice machines enable environmentally friendly cleaning, as no blasting agents or additional chemicals are used. During cleaning, the surfaces are not damaged and there are no residues, since the dry ice sublimates completely to CO2. There is no need to expect residues such as waste water or blasting agents.
Areas of application of the dry ice machines
Dry ice machines make it particularly easy to clean production machines, painting systems, welding robots and conveyor belts. Dry ice blasting is also suitable for printing machines, so that all cleaned printing cylinders and machines as well as tools look like new again. Dry ice blasting can also be used for cleaning generators, woodworking machines, turbines and switch cabinets. In the automotive industry, dry ice machines are used to remove rubber and silicone from injection moulds and production lines, as well as varnish, paint and numerous other contaminants.
Various workpieces and parts are cleaned of release agents and binders. Residues of rubber, silicone, lacquers and paints are completely cleaned so that no traces remain. Dry ice machines are also used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Ice Blasters help to remove incrustations, burnt-on residues, corking, starch and grease from handling systems, filling and mixing equipment, production lines, ovens and tanks.
Source:
felix – stock.adobe.com
