Plastics & Composites
Dry ice deburring and deflashing is fast, effective, and results in high quality finished parts
Manufacturers of plastic parts require the highest standards of quality, dimensional accuracy, and surface finish. Burr removal from machined components and deflashing molded parts are critical processes to consistently produce high quality products. Removing unwanted material, while maintaining tight tolerances, is essential for part functionality, assembly compatibility, product longevity, and safety.
Dry ice blasting for plastic part deburring and plastic deflashing is a non-abrasive solution that will not damage part surfaces, alter dimensions, or affect critical features. This process allows deburring and deflashing to be precisely targeted to specific areas with excess material and provides a more uniform finish than traditional deburring tooling or plastic deflashing machines. Dry ice deburrer machines and dry ice deflashing machines do not produce secondary waste, which eliminates issues with residue on the part and grit entrapment. Additionally, dry ice deburring processes can be seamlessly integrated as automated deburring machines.
Contact us today to discover how our dry ice deburring equipment and dry ice deflashing equipment can enhance your plastic part deburring, deflashing, and parts finishing processes.
What are the Benefits of Dry Ice Blasting for Plastic Part Deburring and Deflashing?
Dry ice blasting is non-abrasive and enables safe and consistent deburring and deflashing
Traditional deburring methods for plastic parts are often slow, labor intensive, and potentially damaging to delicate components. The process of removing flash from molded parts presents similar challenges, especially for parts with complex geometries. Deburring methods like manual filing, tumbling, and cryogenic deburring are inconsistent and can leave media lodged in part features. Media used in a tumbler leaves chemical residue, which can become entrapped in the part and can cause cross-contamination issues.
Dry ice deburring and dry ice deflashing is non-abrasive and preserves part surfaces and dimensional integrity. It’s a more efficient process for removing burrs from machined parts and removing flash from molded components. With a dry ice deburrer machine, you can effectively deburr edges, deburr holes, deburr internal threads, and deburr small parts. Dry ice blasting also improves part consistency and quality while reducing scrap rates and rejections.
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Non-Abrasive Deburring Process
Dry ice blasting is a non-abrasive process that preserves the integrity of plastic parts. The burr removal and deflashing process preserves the surface finish of parts and does not alter part geometries. In deburring plastic parts and deflashing plastic molded parts, you will maintain tight tolerances with dry ice blasting.
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Faster and More Effective Deburring
Dry ice blasting equipment delivers superior efficiency for deburring parts and removing flash from high tolerance plastic components. Dry ice effectively removes burrs, flash, and excess material leftover from machining and molding processes. It eliminates manual plastic deburring tools, which can be time consuming and often lead to inconsistent results.
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Maintain Part Consistency and Quality
Dry ice burr removal and dry ice deflashing maintains part consistency and quality by helping manufacturers meet tight tolerances and improve overall part quality. Burr removal with dry ice ensures only the excess material is removed, which leads to a more uniform product and reduced scrap rates caused by dimensional variations.
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No Secondary Waste or Residue
When deburring plastic, dry ice sublimates back to gas. The dry ice deburring tooling does not leave chemical residue, residual media, or other contaminants on finished plastic parts. It eliminates the need for post-process cleaning and prevents contamination issues, grit entrapment, and scrapped parts.
What Can Dry Ice Blasting Deburr and Deflash?
Dry ice deburring tooling is cost-effective for low-volume, high-value parts. Dry ice blasting is reliable and effective for plastic parts with complex geometries, parts that have tight tolerances, large parts that cannot fit in cryogenic deburring equipment, and parts with geometries that cannot be deburred with tumbling.
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Machined Plastic Components
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Injection Molded Parts
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Thermoset Molded Parts
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3D Printed/Additive Manufactured Parts
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Medical Device Components
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Automotive Plastic Parts
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Aerospace Components
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Consumer Products
Quickly Remove Burrs and Flash While Preserving Critical Dimensions with Dry Ice Blasting
Dry ice blasting enables plastic parts to be consistently and reliably deburred and deflashed. Dry ice ensures components remain within specified tolerances while removing unwanted material.
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Precise and targeted deburring and deflashing
Dry ice blasting enables plastic deburring and plastic deflashing to be targeted to a specific area with burrs or flash without affecting surrounding surfaces or removing too much material. The dry ice deburrer machine accesses hard to reach areas like internal channels, small holes, and complex geometries. Tumbling the entire part can cause damage to areas of the part that didn’t need to be addressed.
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Protects part dimensions and geometries
Dry ice is non-abrasive and will not alter part geometries. The deburring tooling and dry ice deflash process removes burrs and flash without altering the part’s dimensions, surface finish, or intricate details. This ensures critical part tolerances are consistently maintained, preventing costly rejections.
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No residual media or entrapment
In plastic deburring and plastic deflashing, dry ice sublimates from a solid to a gas upon impact with the part. No residual media is left behind, which eliminates issues like grit entrapment in small holes or cavities, cross-contamination, and the need for washing and drying after the burr removal and deflash process.
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Dry ice plastic deburring tool removing burrs from machined part
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Automated deflashing of plastic parts with dry ice blasting
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Hole deburring of plastic part with dry ice blasting
Dry ice deburring tooling removes excess material, such as flag burrs, tear burrs, poisson burrs, and rollover burrs from machined plastic parts. Dry ice deflashing machines remove parting line flash, gate flash, and vent flash from molded parts such as those produced in thermoset molding and thermoplastic molding. The dry ice deburrer machine is effective on a variety of materials, including:
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PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate)
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Acetal
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Nylon
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LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer)
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ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
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PP (Polypropylene)
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PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone)
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UHMWPE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene)
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Phenolics
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Nitinol
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Acrylics
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Polystyrene
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Titanium
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Stainless Steel
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Additively Manufactured Components / 3D Printed Parts
Dry Ice Cleaning is Used for Deburring Parts and Deflashing Parts in a Variety of Industries
Cold Jet offers a variety of dry ice plastic deburring tools and plastic deflashing machines. Our machines are being used in deflash processes and to deburr parts in a variety of industries.
What’s Needed for Dry Ice Deburring and Deflashing?
A dry ice blasting system for deburring parts or in a deflash process relies on several key parts:
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Dry Ice Blaster
The foundation of your plastic parts deburring and deflashing program starts with a reliable and easy to use dry ice blasting system. Cold Jet offers a variety of machines to choose from, including models with features like our patented Particle Control System (PCS®). The PCS enables you to fine-tune blasting parameters and particle size to adjust deburring power from very gentle to more aggressive. The systems will come complete with a blast and air hose, an applicator, and a nozzle that is best suited for your application.
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Compressed Air
Compressed air can be supplied from your facility’s existing filtered air system. For plastic part deburring, clean and dry air is critical. Cold Jet dry ice blasters typically need 100 cfm (2.8 m³/min) at 80 psi (5.5 bar) to operate effectively.
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Dry Ice Supply
A reliable supply of dry ice is needed to ensure you have dry ice when you need it. We can help you identify a dry ice supplier and recommend the amount you should order based on your needs. Once identified, establish a delivery schedule that aligns with your production schedules.
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Machine and Operator Training
Operators need proper training to use dry ice blasting effectively for deburring plastic components. Cold Jet offers a training course that teaches your team how to use the machine safely and correctly. The course covers essential operating techniques for effective deburring and safety guidelines.
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Parts finishing staff should wear proper safety gear, including gloves, hearing protection, and eye protection.
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Automated Deburring Machine (Optional)
Plastic part deburring processes using dry ice blasting are commonly automated. Fully automated dry ice deburring systems combine a dry ice maker, dry ice blaster, and robotic arm in one system for consistent, repeatable results.
What Is the Best Dry Ice Blasting Machine for Plastic Part Deburring and Deflashing?
Cold Jet offers a comprehensive range of dry ice blasting machines for plastic parts manufacturing environments. Our user-friendly machines are ideal for precision deburring, deflashing applications, and as auto deburring machines.
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Aero2 PCS ULTRA
The Aero2 PCS ULTRA is a versatile machine for a variety of deburring and deflashing applications, from extremely gentle removal with MicroParticle dry ice to more aggressive removal of larger burrs with 3 mm dry ice granules. It’s an ideal plastic deburring tool, plastic deflashing machine, and deburring machine for small parts. The PCS ULTRA can be integrated into your production as an automated deburring machine.
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i3 MicroClean 2
The i³ MicroClean 2 is the next generation of precision deburring. It offers better efficiency and intuitive controls in a lightweight and compact system. Easily control deburring aggression to lock in the ideal parameters for your specific plastic part finishing application. The deburrer machine is ideal for deburring small parts, precision deburring, and micro deburring. Integrate it into your process as an auto deburring machine.
i3 MicroClean® 2 -
i3 MicroClean
The i3 MicroClean is an efficient, lightweight machine that is effective in plastic part deburring and deflashing applications, particularly for smaller components and precision work. The MicroClean can also be utilized as an automatic deburring machine for robotic deburring.
i3 MicroClean®
Why Invest in Cold Jet Machines for Plastic Part Deburring and Deflashing?
If you’re upgrading your plastic part deburring or deflashing process, investing in a Cold Jet dry ice blaster enhances your operation’s efficiency while maintaining the highest quality standards. When evaluating this capital investment, consider both the return on investment (ROI) and operational benefits specific to your plastic parts manufacturing facility. Cold Jet machines deliver faster ROI and greater value through:
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Proven Deburring Technology
Our MicroParticle dry ice technology is tested and validated to effectively remove burrs without part damage in manufacturing environments.
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Trusted Manufacturing Partner
With more than 24,000 machines installed globally and installations in leading manufacturing facilities, we’ve established ourselves as the trusted solution for dry ice deburring and deflashing.
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Industry Leading Reliability
Our machines are built to last and have significantly longer machine life than competitors, ensuring consistent deburring and deflashing performance over years of operation.
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Lower Operating Costs
Our dry ice blasters use significantly less dry ice, compressed air, and electricity than competitor machines. This reduces your daily operational expenses while maintaining the highest quality of deburring and safety.
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Industry Leading Support and Training
Our regional technicians understand the unique requirements in plastic parts manufacturing environments and are always accessible. We deliver both maintenance services and comprehensive equipment operation training.
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Application Specific Accessories
Cold Jet has a wide range of accessories, including applicators, blast hoses, and application specific nozzles. We will help you find the perfect nozzle for your plastic part deburring or dry ice deflashing application.
OUR CUSTOMERS & WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT US
Plastic Parts Manufacturing customers around the world rely on Cold Jet
With a global install base of 24,000+ that consists of companies large and small – Cold Jet delivers valuable dry ice deburring equipment and dry ice deflashing equipment.
Our focus on lean manufacturing and the Cold Jet machines’ capability of improving total production process was one of the main reasons that dry ice cleaning captured our attention.
Dry ice blasting had a decisive influence on the quality of our products.
With dry ice cleaning, the quality of our finished parts increased greatly. Power washing leads to varnishing and stains on the parts, while dry ice cleaning eliminates this.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP.
Interested but don’t know where to start?
Contact us today to learn more about our solutions and see how they can meet your unique needs.