Method and device for cleaning a vulcanization mold

A method for cleaning a vulcanization mold for tires in a curing press using a cleaning device including a collaborative mobile robot, a dry ice dispenser, an articulated mobile arm bearing a spray nozzle for spraying dry ice from the dispenser, sensors for identifying a location of a mold to be cleaned, motors ensuring the displacement of the mobile robot between a storage location of the cleaning device and the mold to be cleaned and the displacement of the articulated mobile arm, and a means for communication with a control unit, the collaborative mobile robot incorporating a computer program, including an autonomous mobile platform mounted on drive wheels, and including batteries supplying electricity, and the method comprising:

• receiving a mission instruction to clean the vulcanization mold;
• checking a level of electrical charge of the batteries and a level of dry ice in a tank of the dispenser;
• leaving the storage location after having received the mission instruction to clean the vulcanization mold and after having checked a level of electrical charge of the batteries and a level of dry ice in a tank of the dispenser;
• automatically navigating to the location of the mold to be cleaned;
• automatically scanning an environment in which the curing press comprising the mold to be cleaned and possible obstacles are located;
• automatically identifying the curing press comprising the mold to be cleaned and standing in proximity thereto;
• automatically cleaning the vulcanization mold by directing the arm bearing the spray nozzle, according to a set of instructions, to an interior of the mold so as to clean it with dry ice;
• and
• communicating with the control unit to inform of the progress of the cleaning operation.