Knowledge base

Usage of purging compound Ultra Purge

The use of purging compound is crucial for smooth machine operation and error-free production. Regular use of purging compound is particularly important when changing materials or colors, as well as during start-ups and shut-downs. Below, you can find instructions on how to use purging compound for optimal results. You can view the full range of purging compounds for various applications under the "Product Range" tab, then "Purging Compounds".

Cleaning procedure of screw and barrel on injection molding machine - COLOR OR MATERIAL CHANGE

Manually remove all possible contamination sources in the hopper/mixer/filters etc..
Add Ultra Purge™: 1 machine barrel capacity.
Make injections until you see Ultra Purge™ being ejected through the nozzle.
For machines larger than 500 tons it is recommended reducing the shot size to 20% of the maximum allowed shot size.
For best performance we recommend 3 minutes of soaking time.
Add the next production polymer/color directly after Ultra Purge™ and make injections until Ultra Purge™ is displaced from the machine.
(In case of material change with different processing temperatures, empty the machine barrel from the Ultra Purge™ before adding the next production polymer and set the temperatures to the next production settings.)
Make 5 injections with the next polymer to completely displace Ultra Purge™.
If contamination persists repeat steps.

Cleaning procedure of hot runner system - COLOR OR MATERIAL CHANGE - injection tool is OPEN

We recommend keeping the barrel full of polymer when adding Ultra Purge™ into the machine.
If possible, we recommend increasing temperatures of hot-runners (tips and manifold) and nozzles by 30°C / 54°F.
Manually remove all possible contamination sources in the hopper/mixer/filters etc..
Add Ultra Purge™: 1 machine barrel capacity.
With mold open, make injections until you see Ultra Purge™ being ejected through the hot-runners.
For machines larger than 500 tons it is recommended reducing the shot size to 20% of the maximum allowed shot size.
For best performance we recommend 3 minutes of soaking time.
Add the next production polymer directly after Ultra Purge™.
Continue making injections with Ultra Purge™.
Make 5 injections with the next polymer to completely displace Ultra Purge™. Set all the parameters to the next production settings.
If contamination persists repeat steps

Cleaning procedure of hot runner system - COLOR OR MATERIAL CHANGE - injection tool is CLOSE

We recommend keeping the barrel full of polymer when adding Ultra Purge™ into the machine.
If possible, we recommend increasing temperatures of hot-runners (tips and manifold) and nozzles by 30°C / 54°F.
Manually remove all possible contamination sources in the hopper/mixer/filters etc..
Add Ultra Purge™ (1 machine barrel capacity) and mold parts until Ultra Purge™ is 100% molded into parts.
Add the next production polymer directly after Ultra Purge™.
Continue molding parts out of the Ultra Purge™.
Make 5 injections with the next polymer to completely displace Ultra Purge™.
Set all the parameters to the next production settings.
If contamination persists repeat steps.

Cleaning procedure for barrel and screw upon shutdown, and then upon startup

SHUT DOWN
Move the injection unit to the back position. Keeping the barrel full of polymer when adding Ultra Purge™ into the machine is recommended.
Add Ultra Purge™: 0.5 machine barrel capacity.
Reduce the shot size and make injections until the barrel is completely empty. DO NOT ADD POLYMER AFTER Ultra Purge™!
Turn the machine off completely. Do not leave machine's heater settings in “Maintenance/Idle” mode.
START-UP
Turn the machine on and adjust to production settings, load 0.5 machine barrel capacity of Ultra Purge™ followed by the production polymer and begin normal production.
If contamination persists, follow the standard cleaning procedure. It is normal to see contaminations being flushed out on start-up.

Warnings when using purging compound in injection molding process (IMM)

Do not use on mirror polished surfaces with a hardness of lower than 45 HRC.
Do not load Ultra Purge™ through a heated feeding line - product starts to melt at 80°C / 176°F.
Do not allow the product to soak for a longer period than suggested.
Do not use more of the recommended quantity of Ultra Purge™ per each cleaning.
Do not increase machine temperatures when dealing with thermo-sensitive resins or additives.
Do not mold difficult- to-eject parts when molding Ultra Purge™ as short shots may result.
Do not use Ultra Purge™ outside its processing temperature range.

Cleaning procedure of screw and barrel on on extrusion machine - COLOR OR MATERIAL CHANGE

Manually remove all possible contamination sources in the hopper/mixer/filters etc..
We recommend keeping the barrel full of polymer when adding Ultra Purge™ into the machine.
We recommend removing the finest layer of the screen pack. Make sure that the pressure or torque force remains within safety limits when running Ultra Purge™.
Add Ultra Purge™ approximately 1.5 times the extruder barrel capacity.
Extrude at low speed until Ultra Purge™ is ejected from the machine.
We recommend to let Ultra Purge™ soak in the barrel for 5 minutes. Allow for 10 minutes of soaking time for difficult applications.
Add the next production polymer directly after Ultra Purge™.
(In case of material change with different processing temperatures, empty the machine barrel from the Ultra Purge™ before adding the next production polymer and set the temperatures to the next production settings.)
Extrude the next production polymer at high speed to completely displace Ultra Purge™.
If possible, replace the screen pack during this phase. 11. If contamination persists repeat steps.

Cleaning procedure for barrel and screw upon shutdown, and then upon startup on extrusion machine

SHUT DOWN
Manually remove all possible contamination sources in the hopper/mixer/filters etc..
We recommend keeping the barrel full of polymer when adding Ultra Purge™ into the machine.
We recommend removing the finest layer of the screen pack. Make sure that the pressure or torque force remains within safety limits when running Ultra Purge™.
Add Ultra Purge™: 1.00 machine barrel capacity.
Purge out until the barrel is completely empty. DO NOT ADD RESIN AFTER Ultra Purge™!
Turn the machine off completely. Do not leave machine's heater settings in “Maintenance/Idle” mode.
START-UP

Warnings when using purging compound in plastic extrusion process (EXT)

Do not use more of the recommended quantity of Ultra Purge™ per each cleaning.
Do not use Ultra Purge™ outside its processing temperature range.