Furniture and gardening roto-molding mold cleaning: Why is it the patron saint of product purity and beauty?

In the process of mold manufacturing, the use of lubricants such as cutting oil and coolant is indispensable. They can effectively reduce cutting resistance and improve processing efficiency. However, these lubricants often contain various additives, such as rust inhibitors and extreme pressure agents. After these ingredients remain on the mold surface, they are not only difficult to remove, but may also migrate into the plastic raw materials during the roto-molding process, resulting in uneven product color, spots or stains on the surface, and seriously affecting the product's beauty and market acceptance.

In addition, solid impurities such as metal chips should not be ignored. They may be embedded in the mold surface due to friction and collision during processing, forming tiny scratches or pits. During the roto-molding process, these scratches and pits will become retention points for plastic raw materials, which will not only affect the surface quality of the product, but also become stress concentration points, reducing the strength and durability of the product.

What's more serious is that if the mold is not cleaned thoroughly, the residual contaminants may also become a breeding ground for microorganisms, causing mildew and corrosion on the mold surface, further affecting the purity and safety of the product. Therefore, cleaning is not only a simple process of removing pollutants and keeping the mold surface clean, but also an important measure to ensure the purity, aesthetics and safety of the product.

In the face of the challenges of mold cleaning, the use of appropriate cleaning agents combined with efficient cleaning equipment has become the key. Common mold cleaning agents on the market are mainly divided into three categories: water-based cleaning agents, solvent-based cleaning agents and semi-aqueous cleaning agents.

Water-based cleaning agents have attracted widespread attention for their environmental protection and easy degradation. They usually use surfactants as the main ingredient and can effectively remove impurities such as grease, dirt and metal chips on the mold surface. However, for some stubborn stains or deep-seated pollutants, water-based cleaning agents may not be able to do their best. Solvent-based cleaning agents have become the first choice. They use organic solvents as the main ingredient, have strong dissolving power and penetration, and can quickly remove stubborn stains on the mold surface. However, it should be noted that solvent-based cleaning agents often have certain toxicity and volatility, and the concentration and ventilation conditions must be strictly controlled when used to avoid harm to the human body and the environment.

Semi-aqueous cleaning agents are a combination of water-based and solvent-based cleaning agents. They retain the environmental friendliness of water-based cleaning agents and have the high efficiency of solvent-based cleaning agents. In practical applications, appropriate cleaning agents can be selected for cleaning according to factors such as the material, degree of contamination and cleaning requirements of the mold.

In terms of cleaning equipment, high-pressure water guns and ultrasonic cleaning equipment are favored for their high efficiency and convenience. High-pressure water guns use high-pressure water flow to flush the surface of the mold, which can effectively remove most of the stains and impurities on the surface. Ultrasonic cleaning equipment uses the cavitation effect of ultrasound in the liquid to generate strong impact force and micro-jets to deeply clean the tiny gaps and dead corners on the surface of the mold to ensure a more thorough cleaning effect.

After cleaning, the drying of the mold is also very important. Residual moisture may not only cause the mold surface to be contaminated again, but also accelerate the rust and corrosion process of the mold. Therefore, the mold should be dried immediately after cleaning, and natural air drying, hot air drying or vacuum drying can be used. Among them, hot air drying is the most commonly used drying method because of its high efficiency and simple operation. However, it should be noted that the hot air temperature should be controlled within a certain range to avoid deformation or damage of the mold due to excessive temperature.

In addition to drying treatment, anti-rust measures for molds should not be ignored. For rotational molding furniture molds that have been idle for a long time, rust prevention can be carried out by applying anti-rust oil, spraying anti-rust paint or electroplating. These measures can form a protective film on the surface of the mold, effectively isolate air and moisture, and extend the service life of the mold.

Mold cleaning is not a one-time job, but a continuous optimization process. From mold design, manufacturing to use and maintenance, the convenience and efficiency of cleaning should be fully considered. For example, in the mold design stage, easy-to-clean materials and structures can be used; in the manufacturing process, the processing accuracy and surface quality should be strictly controlled to reduce the generation of pollutants; during use and maintenance, a regular cleaning and maintenance system should be established to ensure that the mold is always in the best condition.

With the advancement of science and technology and the improvement of environmental awareness, mold cleaning technology is also constantly innovating and developing. For example, the use of new cleaning technologies such as laser cleaning and plasma cleaning can not only achieve efficient and environmentally friendly cleaning effects, but also effectively avoid the secondary pollution problems that may be caused by traditional cleaning methods.