Plastics Processing Purging Tips On The ASACLEAN Blog

The Right Purging Compound Resolves Tear Down Dilemma

Written by Eric Despotovich | Feb 21, 2017 1:05:00 PM

There are many instances where a series of tips and best practices will make all the

difference. But sometimes all you need is a purging compound that works with your processing resins.

A prominent injection molder out West has been struggling with teardown issues for years.

He had the most difficult time tearing down his equipment due to the bio-absorbable resins that he processes. This material acts as a super glue when tearing down his machines to a clean metal surface.

It would take him about three hours of down time to clean the machine for the next start up. Most times he has to use a rubber mallet (which sometimes caused damage to the pins) to separate the metal parts. The process temperatures for this resin is approximately 200ºf – 250ºf.

Asaclean SL grade was offered as a solution to his problem, only if he raised the process temperatures to 300ºf (which he did). At this temperature, the SL grade not only removed all of the bio-absorbable resin, it helped with easing the amount of force needed to separate metal parts. While he needed a mallet for years, with Asaclean it was removed by hand. SL grade did leave a slight film like residue, but it was easily peeled off like an orange peel. 

The molder proclaimed the SL grade helped to reduce his overall down time from three hours to just under one hour and he did not have to break a sweat tearing down his machine (or break a pin). Purging compounds aren’t always your best answer, but sometimes they work wonders.

 If you would like to learn more about using the Asaclean purge products, please contact me at edespo@asaclean.com. Thank you!

Ready to effectively reduce your production downtime to protect your profits? Learn more about how purging compounds and process efficiency work in tandem.