Environmentally friendly and equipment friendly – The basics of dry ice cleaning
1. What is dry ice blasting?
Dry ice pellets or block dry ice are shaved into macro particles called powder snow pellets, which are then sprayed at high pressure using compressed air.The powerful cleaning power removes resin residue, scale, oil, and other contaminants that have built up on molds and molding equipment.
Dry ice is a very soft, non-abrasive cleaning medium that does not cause friction when in contact with the surface. Furthermore, because dry ice sublimes directly from a solid to a gas, it leaves no secondary waste after cleaning and leaves no residue on the surface being cleaned.
Furthermore, since it is chemical-free and non-toxic, it can be used safely by workers.It is also non-conductive, meaning it does not conduct electricity, making it suitable for cleaning precision equipment such as electronic components and control systems.
Unlike cleaning methods that involve contact and friction, such as manual work or sandblasting, this cleaning method does not damage the object and is gentle on the environment and equipment.
As you can see, dry ice blasting has many advantages over conventional cleaning methods. Another major advantage is that it can be done without contact, meaning that molds and other items can be cleaned as they are without having to be disassembled.
| Cleaning method | No secondary waste | Non-conductive | non-toxic | non-polishing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dry ice blast cleaning | 〇 | 〇 | 〇 | 〇 |
| Sandblasting | 〇 | 〇 | ||
| Soda Blasting | 〇 | 〇 | ||
| Water Blasting | 〇 | 〇 | ||
| tool | 〇 | 〇 | ||
| Solvents/Chemicals | 〇 |
2. How to clean? How dry ice cleaning works
In dry ice cleaning, dry ice particles are sprayed at supersonic speed and collide with the object, causing the kinetic energy to scrape off any attached matter. At the same time, the cooling effect of the dry ice, at -78.5°C, weakens the attached matter. Immediately after that, the dry ice rapidly sublimates from a solid to a gas on contact, expanding its volume by approximately 800 times. The impact, like a small explosion, created at this moment repels the dirt from the object being cleaned. This means that the object is restored to a clean state without any damage or residue remaining on the surface.
The combination of dry ice's three effects - impact, cooling, and sublimation - allows it to remove dirt without damaging the surface.
The video below shows the actual cleaning process.
Features
1. Precision cleaning achieved with microparticles and low-pressure operation
Equipped with patented "Shaved Dry Ice" technology, dry ice is processed into much finer microparticles than conventional pellet-type dry ice, allowing it to accurately clean the delicate mold surfaces, complex shapes, and tiny gaps of precision molded electronic components and medical molded products without damaging them.
This device also features a low-pressure operation design that provides sufficient cleaning power even at low pressures of 0.14 to 0.97 MPa. Blasting is possible with a minimum air consumption of 0.3 m3/min, maximizing cleaning effectiveness while reducing compressed air consumption. This creates a highly efficient, low-noise cleaning environment, reducing the burden on workers and equipment wear.
In precision molding for electronic components, the surface of the mold is extremely delicate... To be honest, we have to be very careful not to cause any tiny scratches during cleaning.
Don't worry about that. Our patented technology breaks down dry ice into microparticles, which provides high cleaning power even at low pressure, allowing you to clean even the finest details without damaging even delicate molds.
That sounds like something I can leave to you with confidence!
2. Continuous * stable blasting for up to 45 minutes reduces setup time
The i3 MICRO CLEAN2 can handle 5kg of block dry ice (6kg with the cart).
* Continuous blasting is possible for up to 45 minutes.
Furthermore, pellet and nugget type dry ice can also be used. This allows for a more stable supply and is less affected by the shape of the dry ice, improving operational flexibility. Of course, these are also broken down into microparticles, allowing for high-precision blasting even on delicate cleaning targets.
*Blast time is a reference value.
3. Stable cleaning achieved through easy operation that allows you to see, retain and protect
The i3 MICRO CLEAN2 is equipped with a 7-inch LCD display and digital controls. Key parameters such as blast pressure, dry ice particle size, and supply amount can be precisely adjusted, and optimal conditions for each cleaning object can be saved as a recipe. This helps reduce variations between operators and maintain consistent cleaning quality at all times.
Furthermore, the remaining amount of dry ice is visualized in real time by an LED indicator, allowing you to know in advance when it is time to replenish it. This prevents sudden interruptions during work and reduces unnecessary waiting time, greatly improving operational efficiency.
It's quite a hassle to adjust the cleaning conditions from scratch every time...
Furthermore, if you are not familiar with operating the device, there is a concern that you may make a setting error.
With the i3 Micro Clean2, you can save the settings you've set as a recipe, and the operation screen is intuitive and easy to use. There's also a screen lock function, so you don't have to worry about accidentally changing the settings.
Performance Example
Introducing examples of the effectiveness of dry ice blast cleaning!
The i3 MICRO CLEAN2 is a cleaning device that can be used for various types of molds, including precision molding molds.In addition to molds, it can also be used in a variety of applications, such as removing burrs from molded products made from soft materials or thermosetting materials, and cleaning machine parts such as mixer Blade.
Check out some of the case studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of our technology in a wide range of applications.
Effectiveness example ①
Effectiveness example ②
Pre-implementation testing and tour information
We are currently accepting pre-tests and tours to alleviate any concerns you may have about implementation!
For customers considering introducing the system, we offer opportunities for advance testing and tours.
At our Osaka base, "factor4 tech-studios," we always have the i3 Micro Clean machine on display, and we can provide demonstrations using sample products or conduct cleaning tests using actual items brought in for cleaning.
In addition to dry ice blast cleaning, visitors will also be able to experience various mold maintenance equipment and molding support solutions, providing hints for comprehensive improvements in the molding workplace that will lead to increased productivity and quality, in addition to cleaning.
If you feel there are issues with your current cleaning method, please give it a try.
In some areas, we also carry out cleaning tests by bringing our equipment to the customer's factory.
