Die Head & Pelletizer Cleaning in the Plastics Industry

Die heads and pelletizers are critical components in the plastics industry. These elements play an essential role in forming plastic into various shapes and sizes.

Pelletizing heads are usually cleaned when switching products or if there has been a failure in the filtration process allowing contaminants to block the fine holes. Being that this equipment is almost the last stage of production the tolerances are extremely important and must be kept clean for best results.

Why do die heads and pelletizers need cleaning?

Over time, die heads and pelletizers can accumulate polymer residues, colourants, and other contaminants, impacting their efficiency and the quality of their output. This residue build-up can lead to inconsistent product quality, slow down the production process, increase product wastage, and shorten the lifespan of the components. Therefore, to maintain high production standards and efficiency in the plastics industry, it is imperative to carry out regular and effective cleaning of these parts.

How do you clean die heads and pelletizers?

Cleaning die heads and pelletizers requires a method that is both efficient and gentle to ensure the components’ longevity and functionality. There are several approaches used in the industry, each with its unique advantages.

• Vacuum oven:  Uses a thermal cleaning method that combines pyrolysis and oxidation, carried out within a controlled vacuum environment to prevent uncontrolled combustion. In dual-chamber models, like ours, molten plastic drains into a non-heated chamber, effectively reducing the amount of fumes by capturing the majority of the polymer. These ovens are optimally designed for swift and gentle removal of plastic contaminants. Due to its compact size, it is an excellent fit for cleaning smaller parts, including hot melt filters from plastic recycling and pelletizing processes, or nozzles used in plastic or paint procedures.
• Ultrasonic cleaning: Ultrasonic cleaning is another efficient method for cleaning die heads and pelletizers. It uses high-frequency sound waves to create microscopic bubbles in a cleaning solution. These bubbles then implode, producing a high-energy shock wave that dislodges the residues from the surfaces of the components. This method is highly effective at removing even the most stubborn contaminants and is gentle enough to avoid damaging delicate parts. It can reach complex geometries and hidden surfaces, making it ideal for cleaning intricate components like die heads.

Take a look at some of the results we can achieve:

The benefits of cleaning die heads and pelletizers

Cleaning die heads and pelletizers brings several benefits to your operation:

• Enhanced Product Quality: By ensuring the components are free from residues, you can achieve a more consistent and high-quality output.
• Increased Operational Efficiency: Clean components function optimally, leading to less downtime and greater overall productivity.
• Longer Component Lifespan: Regular cleaning can help to prolong the lifespan of die heads and pelletizers, reducing the need for frequent and costly replacements.

What is unique about Sonic Solutions, is our ability to use a variety of cleaning processes to achieve the highest level of cleanliness. Our cleaning expertise, experience, flexibility, and commitment to meeting customers’ needs and demands are the reasons why major and highly demanding plastics manufacturers, such as Jayplas and BPI Berry rely on us to remove unwanted contaminants from their die heads, pelletizers and other industrial equipment.