Laser Mold Cleaning
Laser cleaning for molds covers a wide array of applications, including dies, tire molds, baking molds, injection molds, and more. Our solutions also allow you to clean molds without needing to dismantle the setup and move to an additional area. In certain circumstances our cleaning systems can even get the job done at the mold’s operating temperatures, so there is no need for a cool-down period after cleaning has been completed — minimizing downtime.
HOW LASER MOLD CLEANING WORKS
Laser cleaning — also known as laser ablation — uses thousands of laser pulses per second to absorb contaminants and remove them from the foundation of your product(s) without damaging the substrate. With no additional waste and little to no risk when used properly, laser systems are an ideal solution for cleaning tire molds. Plus, laser cleaning doesn’t degrade itself or your product — making it a cost-effective solution for cleaning metal and non-metals alike.
BENEFITS OF LASER MOLD CLEANING
Laser cleaning for molds has several benefits. The most common include:
- Removing contaminants without damaging the surrounding machinery or equipment
- Easy setup and operation
- Suitable for all metallic mold types
- Offered in handheld or robotic options
- Cost-effective with very low operating costs
- Environmentally friendly
Laser Mold Cleaning Applications
Safety Training for Laser Mold Cleaning
See How These Industries Are Using Laser Cleaning
LASER MOLD CLEANING FOR THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
As mold release agents and epoxy builds up on composite molds, manufacturers have historically turned to methods such as dry ice blasting or abrasives for an effective cleaning solution. These traditional methods, however, also come at the cost of damaging the molds, costing lots of money or taking an incredible amount of time. Abrasive methods reduce the product consistency and can potentially cause tooling or parts to be scrapped in time. Laser cleaning provides a cleaning solution for composite lay-up tooling that can quickly and effectively remove contaminant layers without damaging the substrate. Ultimately, this leads to a much quicker operation as well as a longer life cycle for the mold. Laser cleaning also comes with the added benefit of automation options. For many applications, our team of laser experts can craft a cleaning solution that integrates into your manufacturing operation, creating a more efficient process and reducing the amount of downtime needed for tooling cleaning.
LASER MOLD CLEANING FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
For automotive applications, laser cleaning is tailor-made for cleaning tools, including tire molds and the myriad of non-metallic part molds. Over time, these parts are susceptible to the buildup of release agents, epoxies, and other hard-to-clean residues. Conventional methods such as dry ice blasting or abrasives can clean these molds down to their bare materials, but not without threatening the key features of the mold itself. As more cleanings are performed, the parts gradually lose their integrity and consistency, and the mold becomes less reliable.
Laser cleaning, on the other hand, is able not only to clean these parts without damage to complex geometries, but also in a fraction of the time as other methods. This means greater consistency in quality for the parts made as well as an increased longevity for the molds themselves. For manufacturers, the payoff can be seen in quicker cleaning operations, higher levels of production consistency and a reduction in maintenance, repair and replacement costs.
LASER COATING REMOVAL FOR DEFENSE & MILITARY APPLICATIONS
Our cleaning lasers have a proven track record when it comes to improving the coating removal process for defense and military applications. From removing hazardous paint from warships to creating a more efficient decoating process for branches of the United States Armed Forces, leaders from the Army, Navy, and Air Force are increasingly turning to our laser cleaning for their difficult cleaning needs.
Coatings on military equipment are difficult to remove and can be very dangerous to both the operators and to the environment, which is why it is important to select the right cleaning method. Laser ablation provides a low-maintenance, operator-safe, and environmentally-friendly cleaning solution that can remove hazardous coatings without compromising the warfighting ability of military vehicles/equipment. Additionally, our cleaning lasers can be automated to further increase the efficiency of routine cleaning tasks.
LASER MOLD CLEANING FOR OTHER APPLICATIONS
Regardless of your industry, laser ablation can provide a safe and effective cleaning option for molds/tools. Whereas conventional methods such as dry ice blasting or abrasives can damage molds over time and threaten parts consistency, laser cleaning has the potential to clean in a fraction of the time without threatening any of the unique features of the tooling.
Whether you need handheld precision to target complex geometries or you need to integrate an automated cleaning system into your operations, our team of laser experts can work with you to determine if and how laser cleaning can serve your needs.