What Is Mold Cleaning Equipment?
Mold cleaning equipment is used for the removal of mold contamination.
Traditionally, mold contamination has been removed through manual wiping. However, as mold processing technology has advanced and mold shapes have become more complex, cleaning by wiping has become increasingly challenging. This has led to the growing adoption of cleaning machines.
Mold cleaning equipment primarily relies on ultrasonic cleaning methods, although there are also cleaning methods involving lasers and dry ice.
Uses of Mold Cleaning Equipment
Mold cleaning equipment is primarily used to clean molds used in the production of plastic products.
Injection molding is a major manufacturing process for plastic products, involving melting plastic and injecting it into molds to form products. During the melting process, raw materials and additives can vaporize and leave residues in the molds, leading to contamination. If left unaddressed, this contamination can result in issues such as compromised product appearance and problems with mold operation. Mold cleaning equipment is employed to prevent and address these problems.
How to Select Mold Cleaning Equipment
When selecting mold cleaning equipment, such as a commonly used ultrasonic cleaner, consider factors like the frequency of ultrasonic waves. Low frequencies are effective in removing larger contaminants but may damage dense metals or electronic components during cleaning. It’s crucial to choose equipment that can output an appropriate frequency to effectively remove dirt without causing harm to materials and products. For example, a frequency of 28 kHz may be suitable for stubborn visible dirt, while 40 kHz is used for cleaning precision parts. Higher frequencies are employed for cleaning electronic components like circuit boards.
Mold cleaning equipment comes in separate or integrated configurations. Separate equipment includes an oscillator that generates vibrations and a transducer attached to the equipment, suitable for cleaning large molds. Integrated equipment, which can be placed on a tabletop, is suitable for smaller items.
Additional Information on Mold Cleaning Equipment
Mold Cleaning Solutions
The choice of cleaning liquid for mold cleaning depends on the material and type of contamination of the item to be cleaned. Materials can be categorized as metal, glass, or plastic. Contaminants can include common oils, dust, stains, abrasives, and other particles. Cleaning solutions are broadly divided into aqueous and non-aqueous (hydrocarbon- and solvent-based) systems, as described below:
1. Aqueous-Based
These solutions primarily consist of surfactants and are cost-effective and safe for a wide range of stains. Alkaline, neutral, and acidic solutions are used depending on the type of stain. However, drawbacks include the need for wastewater treatment, limited effectiveness against tough stains, and extended drying times after cleaning.
2. Hydrocarbon-Based
Hydrocarbon-based cleaning solutions contain carbon and hydrogen compounds. They are categorized based on carbon number and structure, including isoparaffinic and norma-paraffinic types. These solutions are effective at removing oil-based contaminants and can be recycled. Due to flammability and safety concerns, strict regulation is required under Fire Service Law.
3. Solvent-Based
Solvent-based solutions include fluorinated, brominated, and alcohol-based types. While they offer strong cleaning capabilities, they also have a significant environmental impact, leading to increased regulation and efforts to reduce their use.
Principles of Mold Cleaning Equipment
Mold cleaning equipment primarily relies on ultrasonic cleaning methods, often in conjunction with solvents and other cleaning chemicals.
Ultrasonic cleaning harnesses a phenomenon called cavitation. When ultrasonic waves with frequencies ranging from 20 kHz to 100 kHz are applied to a cleaning solution, gas molecules experience alternating positive and negative pressure. Positive pressure compresses the gas molecules, while negative pressure causes them to expand. The expansion and subsequent compression of gas molecules result in the formation and collapse of bubbles, a phenomenon known as cavitation. The force generated during cavitation can be used to physically dislodge dirt and contaminants.
The strength of the impact generated during cavitation depends on the frequency of the ultrasonic waves. Lower frequencies deliver more robust impacts but may stress the object being cleaned. For challenging stains and resistant cleaning objects, a lower frequency, such as 28 kHz, is suitable, while relatively higher frequencies, like 40 kHz, are used for less resistant materials and products.