Dry Ice Blasting Achieves Mold Maintenance Needs

Cold Jet is exhibiting five next-generation dry ice smart blasting machines — all operational for demonstrations — as well as the chance to win a $40,000 newly designed i3 MicroClean 2 smart dry ice blaster.

Cleaning with dry ice is reported to be a more sustainable cleaning solution. Cleaning with dry ice often replaces traditional cleaning methods that utilize solvents; users find improved OEE scores, increasing productivity, improved quality, reduced costs and an extension of the asset life of their tooling. Moreover, its use improves employee safety and the environment.

Cold Jets dry ice blasters provide a variety of solutions that touch numerous applications in the plastics industry, such as cleaning injection molds in-situ; blow molds, extrusion dies, deflashing and deburring parts, surface preparation (cleaning) parts prior to painting, post-processing 3D printed parts, etc. It is a dry process, non-abrasive and does not generate any secondary waste.

The novel PCS60 system is making its debut at NPE 2024. It is an automation-ready pellet-based system that enables plastics processors to selectively control 28 different pellet sizes from 3.0-0.3-mm particles via the HMI. Use of 3-mm pellets gives it the ability to clean screws, while 0.3-mm particles are well suited for delicate cleaning; the company says it demonstrate just how gentle dry ice blasting can be by removing the “m” from an M&M candy or the lettering from a business card.

The ability to adjust (and store in memory) particle size through the digital HMI adapts the cleaning aggression to a variety of tolling and/or part substrates. The HMI also interfaces with Cold Jet Connect for monitoring the cleaning process. New enhancements and accessories permit the machine to be operated in rugged environments.

The Ice Rocket PLT with analog controls is also making its first public appearance. It is a lower priced 3-mm pellet solution with the ability to reduce the dry ice particle size via a fragmenting nozzle. Cold Jet says the system is popular for screw cleaning and more aggressive tooling cleaning.

There is also the smart i3MicroClean2, which uses  5" × 5" × 10" blocks of dry ice and can accept 3-mm pellets. This new machine has a digital HMI with the ability to store various blasting recipes to accommodate numerous types of tooling. It is especially ideal for cleaning molds as well as deflashing and/or deburring parts. The HMI also interfaces with Cold Jet Connect for monitoring the cleaning process, and like the PCS60, can operated in rugged environments.

The PE80 pelletizer is a small dry ice production machine. It’s a low-volume, one-button-push-to-start system for those who wish to manufacture their own dry ice on-site instead of purchasing from local gas companies. Processors can make their own dry ice when needed from portable LC02 dewars or refillable LC02 microbulk tanks.

At Cold Jet’s booth, visitors have the opportunity to observe or participate in live mold cleaning demonstrations with a dry ice blaster, as well as witness the manufacturing process for making dry ice pellets throughout the day.

Cold Jet is also demonstrating its CJ Connect monitoring system bringing Industry 4.0 principles to the maintenance function. Users can remotely monitor their cleaning operations and schedule and report their cleaning times and costs. The company is also able to remotely troubleshoot and assist in servicing any maintenance needs.

Cold Jet also provides the opportunity for existing customers to meet with customer service representatives, which will be exhibiting a variety of new specialty nozzles, accessories and service contracts.