Cleaning of molds and tooling
The molds, trays, and industrial tools accumulate rust, resins, burnt oils and metallic particles that compromise the quality of the final product. Their complex shapes and areas of difficult access make manual cleaning slow and ineffective.
Problems with mold and tooling cleaning
Deep cavities, grooves, and microchannels retain embedded dirt that causes injection, adhesion, and finishing defects. In addition, abrasive methods can damage tolerances and shorten the lifespan of the tools.
Risks and consequences
- Loss of dimensional accuracy in final parts.
- Aesthetic defects due to stains or burrs.
- Frequent stops for rework and manual polishing.
- Increased rejects and production costs.
- s HACCP, IFS, BRC.
Types of common waste
Rust and surface corrosion
Resins and silicones cured in plastic molds
Remnants of carbonized release agents
Metal chips and burrs in machining tools
Benefits of ultrasonic cleaning
- Penetrates cavities and microchannels without disassembling the tool.
- Removes contaminants without abrasion or aggressive chemical attack.
- Reduces downtime by up to 70%.
- Extends the lifespan of hardened steel and aluminum molds.
Recommended cleaning process
- Basic disassembly and removal of coarse residues.
- Immersion in an ultrasonic tank with alkaline or neutral detergent.
- Cavitation cycle 20 – 40 kHz for 5–20 min depending on dirt.
- Rinsing with demineralized water and passivation if required.
