System for cleaning molding equipment using a laser
AssigneeVernay Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsRobert E. Nagy, Timothy F. Shelton, Jeffrey L. Milam
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for cleaning molds within presses is disclosed wherein the system utilizes a light source including a laser to clean surfaces within the mold. The light source is aligned with an opening in the mold and light from the laser is directed onto the mold surfaces to vaporize residual material thereon to thereby clean the surfaces. The light source may be formed as a portable unit movable between different presses, or the light source may be in the form of a single laser with a plurality of light paths leading from the laser to individual presses such that light may be selectively conveyed along the light paths to clean the molds within the presses.
Claims26
A method of cleaning equipment associated with a molding operation comprising the steps of:
- aligning a light source including a laser with said equipment;
- and
- activating said laser to cause light from said light source to impinge on a surface of said equipment to thereby clean residual material from said surface.
A method of cleaning a surface comprising the steps of:
- providing a light source including an optical fiber and a laser;
- aligning an output end of said optical fiber with said surface;
- and
- activating said laser to cause light to pass through said optical fiber to said output end and impinge on said surface to thereby clean residual material from said surface.
A method of cleaning equipment associated with a molding operation comprising the steps of:
- providing a light source including a plurality of optical fibers and a single pulsed laser, each said optical fiber having an output end located at a molding station;
- aligning an output end of a first optical fiber with a first surface in a first molding station;
- activating said first optical fiber to thereby clean residual material from said first surface;
- aligning an output end of a second optical fiber with a second surface in a second molding station;
- deactivating said first optical fiber and activating said second optical fiber to clean said second surface;
- and
- wherein said steps of aligning said output ends of said first and second optical fibers comprises an operator holding said output ends adjacent to said first and second surfaces, respectively.
A cleaning system for use in combination with equipment associated with a molding operation, said system comprising:
- a light source including a laser;
- means for aligning said light source with said equipment;
- and
- wherein activation of said laser with said light source aligned with said equipment causes residual material attached to surfaces of said equipment to be removed.
A cleaning system comprising:
- a light source including an optical fiber and a laser;
- said optical fiber defining a flexible and movable conduit for conveying light from said laser and including an output end for alignment with a surface to be cleaned;
- and
- wherein activation of said laser with said output end positioned in alignment with said surface causes residual material attached to said surface to be removed.
A cleaning system for use in combination with equipment associated with a molding operation, said system comprising:
- a light source comprising a plurality of optical fibers and a pulsed laser;
- said optical fibers defining flexible and movable conduits for light from said laser, each said optical fiber including an output end located at a respective molding station for alignment with a surface on said equipment to be cleaned;
- and
- wherein activation of said laser with said output ends aligned with said surfaces causes residual material attached to said surfaces to be removed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.