CUSTOM PLASTIC PRODUCT HANDLING & CARE
Proper handling and cleaning of plastic manifolds are crucial to maintain their functionality and extend their lifespan. This guide provides essential practices to prevent damage, particularly for sensitive materials like acrylic and noryl, ensuring optimal performance of your products
Best Practices for Handling and Cleaning Plastic Manifolds
Every manifold requires care. Whether through its cleaning processes or other associated maintenance procedures, ensure that your manifold lasts by following the rules for care here.
HANDLING PLASTIC MANIFOLDS: KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Material Sensitivity: Amorphous plastics such as acrylic and noryl are prone to scratches and stress-cracking due to their reduced tensile strength. Extra care is necessary when handling these materials.ā
Valve Mounting Surfaces: The mounting surfaces for valves are particularly susceptible to scratches and seal cracking. Damage in these areas can lead to ineffective seals and potential leakage.ā
Proper Support: Always place the manifold on a soft cotton cloth during maintenance or handling to prevent surface damage. Avoid sliding the manifold on hard surfaces to prevent scratches.
The valves consist of either two or three ports that create a seal with the plastic manifold using a flat gasket or O-ring. The most crucial part of the seal is found between the two connected ports. If mishandled in any way, the resulting leakage will render the valve and, consequently, the manifold itself ineffective. To ensure a leak free operation, manifold design should specify mounting surfaces for valves held to a roughness average (RA) of 16 Ī¼in or better for flush functioning.
We adviseĀ always placing the manifold on a soft cotton clothĀ when handling for maintenance or any other reason. Never slide a manifold on a flat surface as this will cause immediate irreparable damage. Always pickup and place down carefully.
Bonded manifolds are an investment and need careful treatment for prolonged use. To ensure a long life and accurate assembly, we recommend that customers only engage their most skilled assembly personnel who have had appropriate training to handle them.
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TESTING
We strongly urge customers test the components, manifolds, assemblies, and associated products before actual use. While most manufacturers can simulate close to exact operating conditions, real-time usage will provide more insight than what we could come close to mimicking.
To ensure quality, we can conduct certain tests such as decay and bubble tests. We already covered these in the previous section aboutĀ manifolds and components assembly. Please reference that section for more information about these tests.
While we primarily use the methods mentioned above, there are additional tests available. These can provide further insights into potential product defects before shipment or use. Please feel free to contact us for more information on these options.
CLEANING GUIDELINES FOR PLASTIC MANIFOLDS & OTHER SPECIALIZED PLASTIC PRODUCTS
Use Appropriate Cleaning Agents: Select cleaning solutions compatible with the specific plastic material of your product to avoid chemical damage.ā
Gentle Cleaning Techniques: Employ soft, non-abrasive cloths and avoid harsh scrubbing to prevent surface scratches.ā
Thorough Drying: Ensure the manifold is completely dry before reassembly or use to prevent moisture-related issues.