Traditional cleaning methods used in iron casting foundries include hand scrapping, scrubbing, chemicals and sandblasting. These cleaning methods are used to clean molds, machines, and other equipment. These cleaning methods have their advantages and disadvantages, however.
Almost all these cleaning methods are labor intensive. They take a lot of time as well, and this results in wasted hours for employees. Furthermore, these methods expose the molds to wear and tear. While using sandblasting method, the sand may be trapped in molds and machinery and become difficult to remove. The use of chemicals is potentially dangerous for employees and the environment. Considering all this, cleaning seems a quite expensive affair.
There is a new process to use for cleaning purposes in iron casting foundries, among others, known as dry ice blasting. It uses solid carbon dioxide to clean the required molds and equipment. CO2 pellets are sublimate; means they directly convert from a solid state to the gas. This does not leave any residue. Following are some of the benefits of dry ice blasting cleaning process for iron casting foundries.
This process is quick and easy and reduces labor costs significantly. Often, it does not require the equipment to be disassembled. It has the additional benefit of less downtime and the iron casting foundry can have more productive hours. Dry ice blasting is very gentle for the molds and machinery. This results in thorough cleaning and a long life for the molds and machinery. As CO2 converts into the gas, dry ice blasting method does not create the grit entrapment problem as well.
Although this method has many benefits for the iron casting foundries, and other foundries as well, the environmental impact of this method must be considered. If it does not pose a danger to the environment, it is certainly a better way to use in casting foundries.