Target Robotics presented the launching of a disruptive technology this year which allows washing processes of plastic and metal pieces, either before a paint process or used as containers for packaging processes.

 

Initially, this technology was developed for the cleaning of injection molds, but they found another use, molecular level cleaning of plastic and metal surfaces.

 

Jose Luis Villalon, CEO of Target Robotics, explained that the system consists in having ice formed CO2, it is grounded to create small ice particles and through compressed air particles are accelerated and are impacted on a surface generating energy sublimating solid and transformed into gas.

 

“That released energy removes any dirt, grease particle or any adherence and, on a dry manner and at molecular level cleans without damaging the piece,” he said.

 

Likewise, Villalon emphasized that, with this new technology, in addition of being an economic process, companies using it save great amounts of water and energy.

It performs the cleaning process quicker and more accurate, as with the correct nozzle difficult access surfaces are cleaned, deep cavities or asymmetric parts.

With this cleaning method there is no need of a drying furnace, since cleaning is dry.

 

“The only condition is that it has to be done through a robot to guarantee the distance, speed and angles for a perfect cleaning.  It will be of high risk if it done by an operator due to the use of CO2,” said the CEO of Target Robotics.

 

Only the automotive industry is currently using this technology with robots to wash their plastic pieces such as fuel covers, mirrors, fascia and panels.  What they are doing is applying the process for industry in general at accessible and very competitive costs against a conventional washing process.

 

“Industry 4.0 once more is showing us that by using new technologies we are able to increase productivity in our plants at an exponential manner,” ended Jose Luis Villalon, CEO of Target Robotics.