New deflashing system from CSI makes cryogenic pretreatment redundant

Bolgare, Italy – The new macrofinishing machine MF-15L from C.S.I. Centro Servizi Industriali removes runner and overflow flashing from injection molded elastomer parts in an automated process that does not require any prior cooling of the parts in liquid nitrogen. This process reduces energy consumption, thus making a significant contribution to the protection of the environment and cutting production costs.
In injection molding of elastomer products, such as O-rings and other molded parts, it used to be common practice to remove the flashing forming along the parting line and the gates either manually or in a classical blasting process in a tumbler under cryogenic conditions.
With its new MF-15 macrofinishing system, C.S.I. has now automated this process. The system works without liquid hydrogen, markedly reducing the finishing effort. It replaces manual deflashing and eliminates the cryogenic flash removal process.
The modular system operates automatically and largely autonomously. After placing one or several raw molded parts on a feeder belt, no more manual activity is involved: When the parts leave the system, they are separated and virtually free from remaining gating material and coarse flash.
From the feeder belt, the raw parts are batchwise charged into the processing container. The rotating, studded bottom of the container causes the material to mix intensely, resulting in the molded parts being separated from the gating material. At the same time, coarse flash and excess material is also removed.
The process is complete after about 20 to 40 seconds, and the parts and the removed flash and gating material are ready to be separated in the downstream sieving section. Any remaining minor flashes are removed – like with the manual or cryogenic process – in a second step using mass finishing or nitrogen deflashing.
Dieter Adamkiewicz, Managing Partner of C.S.I. explains: “The MF-15L needs only electricity to operate, approx. 5 to 8 kW. Thus, the new system reduces not only the process costs, but also the impact on the environment because it saves the production and consumption of nitrogen and polycarbonate blasting media. This also has a direct positive effect on our customers’ carbon footprint.”
The new system has already proved highly successful at one of C.S.I.’s customers. Mario Vollbehr, Managing Director of Bode GmbH, located in Henstedt-Ulzburg, Germany, states: “The benefits of the MF-15L have proved to be compelling. The relatively low investment has paid back fast. Reason for us to expand this technology further.”