The cleaning time of the individual cooling channels may and should differ from each other, taking into account the fact that each of the channels often has a different diameter, geometry and length, which affects the generated pressure losses and therefore the cleaning time. Therefore, the method of setting the same cleaning time for all channels, which is often used by manufacturers of devices for cleaning cooling channels, is very imprecise. Assuming all the channels will be equally clean after the same cleaning time is just wishful thinking, which can be far from their actual condition.
COOLINGCARE CA2 and CA6 are the only devices that allow users to define a flow rate reference value as a benchmark for future cleaning. In the case of a new tool, a machine operator measures the flow rate values of the individual channels and saves them in a database. When the mold goes back for maintenance, the operator specifies a target percentage of the original flow rate to be achieved. The machine then begins the process and monitors the flow rate. After reaching the desired flow rate, the cleaning process ends, and the operator is informed about in the result with a text message sent to his phone number. In a case of an old tool, a machine operator selects “clean to stable result” option. The machine then measures the flow rate changes of individual channels at regular intervals, creating a curve showing the gradual increase in flow. At some point, the curve starts to level off, which will indicate that the maximum flow rate has been reached. When two successive results are similar, the machine stops the cleaning process and informs the operator with a text message that cleaning is complete. The operator can then save the flow rate as a reference for the future.