Kelso Industrial Group

We are often asked about the advantages and disadvantages of dry ice blasting compared to soda blasting, or abrasive blasting in general, so let's take a close look at dry ice blasting. What exactly is dry ice? Dry ice is the solid form of carbondioxide  and is considered a hazardous material ; therefore, precautions must be taken when using dry ice for blasting. Dry ice blasting is a process where dry ice pellets are accelerated by compressed air to high speeds that fracture the top layer of dirt and residue then, once the dry ice penetrates the dirt and residue, the temperature of both the dirt and residue layer and the substrate decreases. The different materials contract unequally and the adherence between them decreases. This temperature difference helps to separate the dirt and residue from the substrate. After the dry ice makes its initial impact, it instantly turns from a solid to a gas. The volume expansion causes a micro explosion that detaches the dirt and resi...

Anilox roll cleaning is essential to maintain the precision of the ink or coating being delivered to the substrate. The clogging of the cells of laser-engraved ceramic anilox rollers with contaminants and dried ink impairs the printing quality. If you neglect to clean your rolls on a regular basis, you will not get the most out of your investment. Plugged cells will affect print quality and cause you frustration, waste and downtime. An anilox cleaning program consisting of daily, weekly and deep cleaning will preserve the integrity of the anilox engraving and ensure quality, press efficiency and longer anilox life. Volume on new anilox rollers is even across and around the surface of the roll. As the roll is used, however, a residual amount of ink or coating material is left behind in the cells after the transfer has taken place. The residue dries and creates build-up in the cells.   Over time, these deposits decrease the capacity of the cells and reduce their ability t...