Rubber, PLASTICS & composites

RUBBER AND TIRES

In the elastomer and tire moulding industry, when it comes to the challenge of cleaning tire moulds, LaserAge has solutions that deliver excellent results – from handheld to fully automated laser cleaning systems.

ADVANTAGES OF LASER CLEANING
Hand-held or manual laser cleaning proves to be particular efficient due to the variety of tool and mould profile geometries.
In contrast to conventional particle or ice blasting processes, the running costs of the laser process are negligible.
The laser process is not only damage-free, but also almost noiseless.
Due to its compact design, the optics head of the laser system can be used in confined spaces.
Depending on the degree of contamination, the size of the mould and the laser power, the cleaning time for a tire mould is between 25 and 75 minutes.

    TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

    Automated cleaning of tire moulds in the removed condition
    Hand-guided cleaning of tire moulds in an unassembled condition and in-situ in the vulcanization press
    Marking and labelling of moulded parts
    Laser marking of tires
    Adhesive pre-treatment of tire insides for the application of air pressure control systems and RFID sensors
    Full-surface adhesive pre-treatment of tire inner surfaces for the application of run flat structures
    Cleaning of steel moulds for the rubber mould article industry, e.g. o-rings
    Adhesive pre-treatment of metal parts for rubber-to-metal part production
    Inner tire cleaning.

    PLASTICS AND MOULDING

    Laser cleaning is highly effective for metallic tools and moulds used in manufacturing plastics and rubber components.  Fiber lasers, adaptable for both manual and automated systems, offer precision and efficiency.  When integrated with a collaborative robot (Cobot), the optics head of the fiber laser ensures thorough, controlled cleaning, maintaining the integrity of the tools while optimizing the production process.  This approach is particularly suitable for maintaining the high standards required in the manufacture of rubber and plastic components.

    Best Solutions

    BONDING PREPARATION USING LASER ABRASION

    Indeed, while the pre-treatment of metals offers significant savings potential, laser cleaning also presents economically and technologically viable applications in plastics processing. In scenarios where plastic surfaces become contaminated with release agents from the molding processes, laser cleaning effectively removes these adhesion inhibitors. This enhances the quality and efficiency of subsequent processing steps, contributing to a more streamlined and cost-effective manufacturing process in the plastics industry.

    Laser cleaning, particularly effective for fiber-reinforced polyurethane components (FRPC), employs a laser abrasion process that precisely cuts through release agents and removes the top layer of the plastic or composite material. This technique not only cleans the surface but also roughens it, exposing the carbon fibers. Such surface texturing is advantageous as it enhances the absorption of gluing agents, ensuring a stronger bond in subsequent processing steps. This method, long utilized in industrial applications, optimizes the preparation of FRPC and CFRP surfaces for further treatments, making it a valuable technique in advanced manufacturing processes.