Mold Polishing
Does Mold Polishing Really Work?
Mold polishing enhances mold cavity surfaces to improve mold release and cosmetic value. Polishing of molds is expensive. And while polishing does improve mold release and cosmetic value, is it enogh?Polishing reduces the number and size of mold substrate surface pores, etchmarks and crevices. Polishing does not remove these imperfections. And because these imperfections still exist, corrosion and abrasion will require polished surfaces to be
re-polished over and over again.
Polished Surfaces Must Be Repolished
Polished surfaces of mold cavities must continue to be re-polished after a given number of production cycles. The type of resin used, mold design and release method are factors that determine when a polished mold should be taken down and sent for re-polishing. Time taken to down the mold and stoppages in process and flow of production erode productivity. This incurs additional logistical and operational costs.Cross-Contamination From Mold Release Agents
If, at all, mold release agents can be used to help mold release or slow down therate of wear and tear, other problems arise. The most evident would be that of
cross-contamination. This is where residue from the mold release agent is left on,
or bonds with, the fabricated part. If further painting or adhesive bonding is
required to the part, this residue must be completely removed.
Parts Still Stuck in Mold
Another prevalent problem is parts getting stuck in the mold. This occurs when fluids obstruct or prevent the smooth flow of air across mold cavity surfaces. Unimpeded flow of air across mold surfaces is pivotal in allowing low pressure areas betweenthe mold and the fabricated part to normalize (re-pressurize) during the process of mold release.
Slow air flow causes dragging, lagging and stretching. The worst scenario is where there is no air flow: this causes a vacuum effect that bonds the fabricated part to
the mold cavity.
The Best Solution
To attain truly superior cosmetic values and mold releasing processes, more needsto be done. Mold polishing is only the first step. It improves the situation but, more often than not, does not solve it.
The best cosmetic values and mold release processes are achieved with a dry, polished mold cavity surface void contaminants, poring, etchmarks and crevices.
Mold surface can be treated to possess such characteristics.
The Best Product
Nanomouldrelease completely seals all poring, etchmarks and crevices with a dry, super thin micro coating. It does not chip or flake and there are no problems with transmigration or cross-contamination.At 100 to 200 nm (nanometers) in thickness, this coating is well within dimensional tolerances. A nanometer is a unit of measure one million times smaller than a millimeter or, one thousand times smaller than a micron.
Polished Surfaces Last Longer
It offers good dry lubricity and corrosion resistance that significantly prolongs thelife span of polished mold cavity surfaces. When poring, etch marks and creavices
are completely sealed up with Nanomouldrelease, mold surfaces cannot chemically interact with contaminants and therefore do not corrode.
Mold Release Is Smoother
Nanomouldrelease provides truly smooth and dry mold cavity surfaces. The flowof air across mold cavity surfaces becomes smoother and quicker. This allows for a more efficient process of re-pressurization in all areas of the mold cavity. And when this happens, mold release rates are optimized.
Now I ask you, "Is mold polishing enough?"
