Today, sand, laser or dry blasting are used as cleaning methods. In this way, a wide variety of components and the like can be processed. The cleaning method influences not only the cleaning result, but also the environment, the surface to be cleaned and personal safety. Dry ice blasting in particular has proven to be an optimal cleaning method.
What are the alternatives to sandblasting?
Sandblasting is not the last word in every case. While it is quite an effective and fast process – it can be dangerous for delicate workpieces, as damage can never be completely ruled out with this process. Depending on the possibility and the grain size of the chosen abrasive, different results are achieved. With sandblasting, residues could remain in gaps. Here, dry ice blasting offers an optimal alternative.
The alternative – dry ice blasting
Dry ice blasting equipment work absolutely gently and non-abrasively. (abrasive – removal of a material by grinding or rubbing) Therefore, dry ice is ideal for cleaning particularly sensitive surfaces. The dry ice pellets turn into pure carbon dioxide on the material after it is hit by it. For this reason, blasting can also be done outdoors without fear of leaving residues.
The dry ice blasting systems are suitable for various fields of application, such as processing in toolmaking, steel, metal and mechanical engineering, in the automotive and electrical industries, as well as in many other areas.
The laser beam
Another non-abrasive process is laser blasting. Here, too, no chemicals are used. The short pulsed beam can vaporize the layer to be removed on the substrate material at a high frequency. This reflects or transmits the beams. The result is a clean and smooth surface. However, laser blasting cannot take place in the open or in other neutral places, as is possible with dry ice blasting.
Dry ice blasting – convincing advantages
Effective cleaning of the material is guaranteed by dry ice blasting. It is gentle and very effective. In addition, the process is particularly ecological and clean, and no additional chemicals are needed. Nothing remains of the blasting material. Dry ice blasting can be carried out on a mobile or stationary basis. In this way, there are no spatial restrictions. In addition, it is of great advantage that no cleaning process works faster. When dry ice blasting equipment are used, the machines to be processed do not have to be disassembled, because the particles get everywhere – but they do not remain there. In this way, plants reduce downtime and lower labor costs that would be incurred with a conventional cleaning process.
Dry ice blasting is an absolutely clean method. No liquid is left on site. Sandblasting would only be suitable in certain cases, as small particles can get trapped, especially in industrial equipment or interiors. For thorough cleaning, the plant operator must disassemble the machine. Blasting machines with dry ice can do their job at any site.
Source:
mhp – stock.adobe.com
Read more:
