Uses For Dry Ice Blasting in the Automotive Industry

Assembly Plants

Autobody Weld Lines

Dry ice blast cleaning is used at many auto plants to clean robotic welding arms and fixtures that hold parts in auto body weld departments. Dry ice blasting effectively cleans weld slag and spatter as well as epoxy sealer from such surfaces as transfer cases, shuttle jigs and diamond plate. This can be done during scheduled maintenance and in place. There is no "metal-to-metal" hammering. Expensive parts are not damaged or shape distorted, thus increasing productive product life. Dry ice blasting does not damage fittings or connectors. There are no explosive gasses or fumes. Dry ice blasting produces minimal secondary waste, no grit to dispose of or chemicals, so costs are lowered.

Man Fans

A major automaker has formally identified dry ice blasting as a "Best Practice" for cleaning man fans throughout the plant. Dirty fans fail frequently and are very important for assembly line worker productivity during hot weather. Dry Ice cleaning requires no flammable chemicals, and requires only ventilation for general use. Dry ice blasting is not corrosive to electrical wiring, motors or switches, and is non-conductive. Since dry ice blasting is electrically safe, it may be done in place.

Spray Booths

Dry ice blast-cleaning is used in paint booths to clean paint over-spray from various parts. Metal hooks in electrostatic paint operations need to remain clean to assure a good ground for the part being cleaned. Automotivelighting plants blast-clean spray booths used to apply a coating to head lamp and tail lamp assemblies. Dry ice blast-cleaning can save 65% or more in cleaning time when compared to power washing, chemical or manual cleaning, as there is no secondary solvent or water to clean up.

General Maintenance

Dry ice blast cleaning is used throughout auto assembly plants to clean dirty production equipment and remove grease, dirt and oil prior to disassembly. Dry ice blasting does not require an expensive secondary contaminated waste disposal nor produce potentially explosive gases, so it is safe in the vicinity of electrical arcs. Unlike conventional sand blasting, dry ice blasting does not leave sand and grit behind that must be removed to prevent damage to bearings and other moving machinery.

Lubricating System

Cleaning fixed systems or distribution areas many be nearly impossible with conventional cleaning methods. Dry ice blasting lets these seemingly impossible areas be cleaned, without disassembly, solvent or extended down time. It is faster and less labor-intensive than other cleaning methods. The wide choice of dry ice blasting units, are easily adapted for special purposes.

Lubricator before cleaning

Lubricator after Dry ice blast cleaning

Glue Applicators

With dry ice blasting, electrical, pneumatic and other connections need not be removed. There is no electrical hazard, toxic or flammable fumes produced, fittings and connections are safe and not damaged. Small tight areas may be cleaned without disassembly, saving time and possible damage due to disassembly or difficult areas.

glue applicator before dry ice blast cleaning

after dry ice blast cleaning

Automotive Foundries and Metal Forming

Permanent Molds

Before dry ice blast cleaning

After dry ice blast cleaning

Dry ice blasting allows the molds to be cleaned in place, they need not be removed, and they may be cleaned hot. Reduce line down time up to 90% over conventional cleaning. Permanent core molders of aluminum wheels and transmission casings use dry ice blasting to clean mold release agents, which cause mold fouling and lubbers. No added solvents or water needed; dry ice leaves no residue. It also cleans the slot and screen vents at the same time.

Automotive Rubber and Plastic Molders

Tire Molds

Nearly every major tire manufacturing plant cleans molds hot and in-place using dry ice blasting. Compared to cooling the molds, removing them from the press and cleaning them in a remote location, dry ice blasting results in significantly greater productivity. Dry ice blasting eliminates wear on the molds, no wearing from grit, or need for scraping with other tools.

Seat and Gasket Molds

Headlamp molds and spray booths, oil and fuel filter assemblies, and brake assemblies. A variety of manufacturing and processing equipment can be effectively cleaned using dry ice blast cleaning. Built up adhesives and latex are cleaned without any secondary waste management issues, even buildup of 2 or more inches in thickness. Flashing can also be removed using dry ice blasting.

Automotive Interiors

Molds used to manufacture fibrous acoustical and thermal management materials, dash and door assemblies, automotive headliners and steering wheels are cleaned using dry ice blasting. These are situations where the ability to clean tooling hot and in-place results in significant reductions in down-time and greater productivity.