3 Step Guide To Cleaning Your Factory's Clogged Wire Mesh Sifters
Posted on: 31 May 2017
If your factory uses wire mesh sifters to sift raw materials into a fine powder, they may eventually become clogged. When the mesh becomes dirty and no longer able to sift properly, use the following three-step guide to clean out the holes and check for signs of damage.
Step 1: Brush Off Loose Debris With A Wire Brush
Once the wire mesh on your sifter has become clogged, there will most likely be a layer of loose debris on top of the screen. This first step involves removing this excess material using a wire brush.
After removing the mesh screen from the machine, hold it vertically at an angle. Then, gently brush off the loose materials using downward strokes. As you brush, look for obvious tears or holes. If you do not see any damage at this point, increase your pressure slightly to remove the stuck-on layer of debris.
Once you have brushed off the screen, go on to the second step.
Step 2: Soak The Sifter In Solvent
Once you have removed the loose materials, soak the sifter in a solvent to remove any clogs inside the mesh screen's holes. The type of solvent you use will depend on the type of material you sift and the proper chemical recommended for your screen. Contact your wire mesh supplier for a recommendation on what you should use.
According to the solvent instructions, soak the screen for the time suggested. Once the time is up, remove the screen, and let it fully dry.
Take the wire brush to remove any residual debris. Then, go on to the next step.
Step 3: Inspect The Wire Mesh For Tears And Holes
Now that you have cleaned the wire mesh screen, you can now fully inspect it for signs of damage. Even if you do not see any large, obvious tears and holes, look carefully for small areas of damage.
When sifting, even tiny tears could allow large pieces of materials to flow through the sifter, turning your desired fine powder into a chunky mess. Also, small tears can quickly become large holes when constantly bombarded with pressure. If you find any damage, large or small, you may want to consider replacing the screen.
After cleaning the sifter and finding damage, the screen may no longer be able to sift the materials you need. If so, you may want to contact your industrial supplier to discuss your options for replacing the wire mesh with a new one that fits your sifter's specifications.
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