Removal of electrostatic charges after CO2 blasting

Application: CO2 snow jet cleaning, dry ice cleaning, compressed air blasting, carbon dioxide

Initial situation

Plastic body components are manufactured by injection moulding. As a rule, components are likely to have strong electrostatic charges after moulding. Due to the surface charges can, on the one hand, particles from the environment be attracted and on the other hand, particles from machining can be created at the component. For these reasons, the components are cleaned with CO2 immediately before painting. Cleaning with CO2 is very effective, however the high energy issue of the cleaning by means of a CO2 jet creates strong electrostatic charges, which lead to immediate attraction of turbulent particles and can thus cause inclusions in the painted surface.

Solution

In order to prevent renewed attraction of particles due to strong electrostatic charges after CO2 treatment, SMART ION ionizers with integrated high voltage generators are installed before and after the CO2 jet nozzles. For the high voltage supply, 24 V connecting cables are necessary. The CO2 jets with the ionization electrodes can be moved linearly or by robot over the components. The charges on the parts to be cleaned are minimized by use of ionization electrodes SMART ION, thus reducing retrospective work and scrap percentage.

Technical consultancy