CO2 snow-jet cleaning applications include manual or fully-automated cleaning and activating of nearly all materials in a wide range of industries.
Dry-cleaning with CO2 is a process which can be used on almost any material and in conjunction with any cleaning principle; it can offer up to 40% cost advantage over conventional cleaning techniques.
Below are some example applications where we have experience. If you have something different we would like to hear from you.
Cleaning mechatronic and precision products and components
Cleaning the interior and exterior of sophisticated pressure sensors.
Cleaning cavities with small cross-sections.
Cleaning before and after joining processes (soldering, welding, bonding)
Removal flux residues, smoke residues or oil residues for a range of industries.
Short process times, so ideal for high volume manufacturing.
CO2 Cleaning integrated into production line
Selective cleaning of defined critical surfaces.
Optional integrated parts measurement directly after CO2 cleaning process.
De-oiling a fine metal membrane BEFORE cleaning with CO2 snow-jet
De-oiling a fine metal membrane AFTER cleaning with CO2 snow-jet
Degreasing and removal of lubricants
In order to achieve optimum results, it is indispensable for some processes, such as laser-welding, bonding or coating processes that surfaces are free of oil and grease. In practice, such surfaces are often contaminated with anti-corrosives, cooling snow-jet lubricants, polish residues, etc.
The CO2 technique permits critical areas to be selectively cleaned, e.g. welded seams or bonding sites. The excellent in-line capability and minimum space requirement of the system enables the cleaning process to be linked directly with the next process, excluding the risk of renewed contamination of components as a result of storage, for example.
CO2 snow-jet cleaning in laser processing
Today, the use of lasers in material processing is state of the art. A reproducible, clean and oil-free surface is essential in order to safeguard process stability, e.g. when laser welding. CO2 snow-jet cleaning can be automated in-line directly prior to the laser process and is thus ideally suited for cleaning such surfaces.
With common laser processes such as laser cutting or engraving, smoke residue is formed which impairs both the optical and technical properties of a component.
Smoke residue is removed rapidly and reliably using the CO2 snow-jet cleaning technique. Furthermore, by pre-cleaning surfaces with CO2 snow, the formation of smoke residue can be considerably reduced.
Laser welding, before cleaning with the CO2 snow-jet technique
Laser welding, after cleaning with the CO2 snow-jet technique
Laser engraving, before cleaning with the CO2 snow-jet technique
Laser engraving, after cleaning with the CO2 snow-jet technique
Component before burr-removal using CO2 snow-jet technique
Component after burr removal using CO2 snow-jet technique
Removal of fine burrs, or flitter
Burrs are often formed when precision components are machined or when plastic parts are manufactured using injection-moulding processes. CO2 snow-jet cleaning can be implemented as an automated process to rapidly remove tiny burrs.
Flitter removal before CO2 processing
Flitter removal after CO2 processing (Automotive grill)
Removal of flitter, from plastics
Removal of flitter from plastic foils during high temperature bonding (automotive grill).
Cleaning of sensitive and finely structured surfaces
The CO2 snow-jet cleaning process is not abrasive and can therefore be utilized for cleaning sensitive and finely-structured surfaces.
In plastics processing, the cleaning of moulds or forms is a fundamental task.
The mobile cleaning system 'JetWorker' enables the form to be cleaned in-situ, thus enabling stoppage times to be considerably reduced. The simple handling of the device permits uncomplicated and rapid cleaning between the individual processing steps.
In this way, the service life of moulds can be distinctly improved. In the same uncomplicated way, residue from cleaning agents can be quickly and gently removed.
Cleaning of bond pads in electronic manufacturing
Very high demands are placed on the reliability of bond pads. However, certain demands are also placed on the cleaning of bond pads as far as the selection of a suitable cleaning method is concerned.
Locally-defined areas need to be cleaned selectively; at the same time, adjacent subsystems may not be damaged.
With a minimum jet dot diameter of currently 3 mm, the CO2 Snow-Jet process is able to do this. The process can also be automated and is dry, thus avoiding the need for expensive drying processes.
Cleaning welding flux from bond pads before CO2 snow-jet cleaning
Cleaning welding flux from bond pads after CO2 snow-jet cleaning
Solar cell before cleaning with the CO2 snow-jet technique
Solar cell after cleaning with the CO2 snow-jet technique
CO2 snow-jet cleaning in photovoltaics
Selective cleaning of residues from solar photovoltaic (PV) cells
Cleaning of adhesive sites
In order to improve the quality of adhesive bonding, adhesive sites are cleaned before the bonding process.
Joint adhesive tests between acp – advanced clean production GmbH and Loctite GmbH have shown that the adhesive properties of surfaces which have been cleaned using the CO2 snow-jet cleaning are improved by a significant amount in comparison with cleaning using typical solvents.
Even with plastics such as polyethylene which are especially difficult to adhere, a marked improvement in adhering characteristics could be measured. Cleaning with CO2 snow-jet is fast, uncomplicated and can be automated.
Cleaning of optical components with CO2 snow
Non-abrasive cleaning of metallic reflective coatings from high performance CO2 lasers. Image magnification is: x40