Asalco's Blog

Asalco and the Plastics Industry

asalco — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:00:48 +0000

Plastic is known to be versatile and economical material that is part used in many applications such as packaging, bottles and containters, automotive trims, electronic housings and computer parts, just to name a few.

Asalco Inc.manufactures a product line of mould releases, cleaners and die savers made for the plastics industry.

Polymers, including thermoplastics, some thermosets, elastomers and epoxies are some of the more than 30,000 different alloys or material blends used in molding today. Injection moulding involves taking plastic in the form of pellets or granules and heating this material until a melt is obtained. The melt is forced into a split-die chamber/mold where it is allowed to “cool” into the desired shape. The mold is then opened and the part ejected at which time the cycle is repeated.

Asalco Mould Cleaner cleans moulds and dies perfectly. It removes all residues before putting moulds back in production. Because of the expensive equipment needed and investment in mold design, the best way to offset these costs is to maintain the molds and equipment with Asalco special products.

Asalco Mould and Die Saver protects moulds and dies during indoor storage, while it repels moisture and protects against corrosion. Asalco Mould and Die Saver is cleaned easily with Asalco Mould Cleaner.

Asalco also manufactures a line of mould release agents: Our economical and ever-popular silicone-based Econo Mould Release facilitates the release of rubbers and plastic moulded parts. Kwik Release is suitable for most plastics and Paintable Kwik Release, a silicone-free version of the original is great for use with solvent or water-based paint applications.

Asalco Inc. is a Canadian manufacturer, marketer and distributor of high-quality chemical and specialty products formulated for use in a variety of sectors, such as electronics, refrigeration/air conditioning, industrial manufacturing, food processing, plastics demoulding, and the natural stone/granite industries. Asalco specializes in cleaners and lubricants.

Since 1986, Asalco has built a solid reputation over the years, a standing steeped in the quality, variety and reliability of its products, delivery, friendly customer service and technical support. The company prides itself in meeting the individual requirements of customers by providing the right products at reasonable prices.

If you are interested in our products, click here to find out where to buy our products with the name and address of stores and distributors in your area.

Keeping That Christmas TV As Good As New

asalco — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:18:23 +0000

Santa was good to you this year and you got a brand-new plasma TV for Christmas! Maintenance of any electronic device is smart, but keeping your new plasma TV clean is absolutely imperative – considering the expensive alternative of replacement.

Effectively maintained, you should expect to get 100,000 hours out of your LCD TV (or as long as the backlight lasts) and many manufacturers of plasma TVs claim a new half life of 100,000 hours + on their products. Asalco can help!

First of all, the most obvious and important thing to remember is electronic devices – any and ALL electronics – don’t go well with water! Avoid excessive humidity and drastic temperature changes; these can produce condensation, which, in turn, can really mess with your electronics. Keep that mug or glass of juice away from the TV – That is like begging for something bad to happen.

Allow your plasma TV to ‘breathe’: Plasma TVs produce a high amount of heat and this attracts dust. This combination of dust and heat can reduce its life expectancy: Be sure it has clearance around it for air to flow. If not specified in the manufacturer’s manual, a minimum of 8 inch (20 cm) is a good idea. Blow out the dust once a month or so with Asalco Duster (AE305 or AE305A).

A Clean Screen in 2 Simple Steps: A plasma TV screen is a very sensitive surface and can get damaged quite easily. Using the wrong cleaner or applicator can damage the anti-glare coating and/or scratch it. Asalco manufactures LCD and Plasma Cleaner. It is specially formulated to clean delicate LCD and plasma TV and computer screens. It is anti-static and is safe on non- glare coatings, LCD and Plasma Cleaner dries streak-free, and is non-flammable. It comes in a 177 ml pump spray bottle and is available from Asalco distributors across Canada. To locate an Asalco distributor near you, click here.

1) Turn off the screen or TV. Spray Asalco’s LCD and Plasma Cleaner on a micro fiber cloth or soft, clean cotton cloth and wipe. Note that you should not spray them directly on the screen but on the cloth. LCD and Plasma Cleaner is very effective against fingerprints and other smudges – which you should avoid having on your plasma TV screen: “Look and don’t touch” should be the #1 House Rule!

2) Be gentle. Don’t apply too much pressure on the screen. Even if you have stubborn dirty spots on the screen, it’s better to fold the cloth over, spray on more LCD and Plasma Cleaner and repeat this process until it is clean rather than get aggressive with the screen. Always be sure to use cleaners that are made specifically for plasma or LCD screens, and not regular glass cleaner. These can damage the finish as well as contribute to dust accumulation. Paper towels are another big no-no; they will scratch.

A plasma TV will provide you and your family with thousands upon thousands of hours of TV pleasure if you take proper care of it, and Asalco can make it easier. Visit www.asalco.com today to see all our high quality and competitively priced electronic maintenance products for personal and professional audio, video and recording equipment.

Multi-purpose lubricant LP-2000: Simply the BEST.

asalco — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:12:18 +0000

LP-2000 is Asalco‘s best selling all-purpose lubricant and penetrant. It has been used for years in the industrial sector, renowned for its extreme high anti-wear and anti-corrosion properties. It is long lasting, moisture resistant and is CFIA approved (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) for use in food processing areas. LP-2000 is now available in handy mini-cans! The perfect size for your toolbox or little jobs around the house.

LP-2000 works great around the house for garage doors, appliance door hinges, drawer slides/tracks, cabinet doors, locksets, dryer drum bearings, washing machine parts, interior/ exterior door hinges, reels, latches, sprockets, doorknobs, electric knife blades, faucets, sewing machine parts, windows, clothesline pulleys, and casters, etc.

Around the shop or garage it’s perfect for bearings, car doors & trunk hinges, hood latches, seat sliders, bushings, engine parts, axles, brake parts, CV joints, universal joints, chassis fittings, couplings, linkages, sleeve bearings, rusty nuts and bolts, pulleys, chainsaws, air tools, carts, wheelbarrows, winches, hoists, jacks, pumps, chain blocks, binders trailers, clippers…to name a few.

Keep ALL your toys moving! Whether for big kids or the little ones, LP-2000 is fantastic on ATV wheel hubs, chains, sliders, rollers, steering joints, engine pulleys, trailers, couplings, struts, lag slides, engine parts, cables, brake parts, compartment hinges, hood latches, pins, linkages, suspensions, pins, chassis fittings; on bicycle chains, forks, wagons, skateboards, scooters, rollerblades, strollers swing sets, teeter totters, Commando Bob’s HumV wheels, the SpinGym that won’t spin….

Check out all of Asalco‘s high quality industrial, electronic and speciality products at www.asalco.com

Blowing Out The Cobwebs

asalco — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:17:17 +0000

Plain old compressed air dusters have been used for years by for electronics pros for maintenance. It is, after all, AIR_IN_A_CAN and made to blow dirt out off hard-to-get-at spots: A pretty straightforward and simple concept.

So why, oh, why doesn’t everyone get a can? And – do what with it, you may ask. Well, for starters, you can save loads of time with mundane tasks like dusting or cleaning all that crap that collects in the sliding tracks of your windows, for one: Try as you may, you can’t get into the corners, even with an old toothbrush or ever-popular butter-knife-and rag combo. You may get close to clean, but, alas, no cigar! But with a little blast of air duster, wipe-up what you’ve blown out -and Poof! You’re done!

Air Duster, Canned Air – whatever you call it; it is a great addition to your cleaning cupboard.
It saves loads of time when used in household cleaning tasks. It can almost certainly prolong the life of almost any electronic, electrical device or appliance, and this IS a big deal: Especially considering the cost of replacement of things nowadays.

A can of Duster works fantastic on lamps and light fixtures with lots of detailing; it blows out all the nooks and crannies in the dash of your car, too.

Get yourself a can of Asalco AE305 Duster. It’s a very economical product and works great. Asalco has distributors all across Canada. Asalco offers an extensive line of products that are specially formulated to clean and maintain delicate electronics. Use your imagination, and get a can: You’ll be amazed at what you can clean with it: Computers, Notebooks, Keyboards, Fax Machines, Copiers, Scanners, Desk Tops, Sewing Machines, Small kitchen appliances, Photo Equipment, Printers, Telephones, Cameras, Clocks, Knick-knacks, Window Screens, CD Players, TVs, VCR’s, DVD Players, Camcorders, Audio Equipment, Tape Drives, Video Games, Fans, Air-exchangers, Filters, Lab Equipment, Models, Jewellery, Auto Interiors and the list goes on!

Computer Cleaning 101

asalco — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:51:36 +0000

How often does your computer need to be cleaned? Well, that depends on a few things, such as in environment and who uses it. If it is in dusty industrial setting, in a home with pets or the kids are the primary users, then cleaning the computer once a month might not be a bad idea.

Multiple users in a computer in a tidy office may only need a clean every three months. An adult non-smoking user living in a pet-free home may only need to clean the computer once in 5 months.

First, wipe the outside of the computer with a soft cloth moisten with alcohol. Asalco IPA AE 107 (Isopropyl alcohol) dries quickly and is made for electronics. Cotton swabs can be used to get into small spaces in the keyboard and mouse. Vacuums should never be used to clean the internal workings of a computer as they generate too much static electricity and can damage sensitive internal computer components.

To clean a computer with an LCD/flat panel display monitor, it’s very important to use a product that is specially made to clean an LCD/Plasma screen. Asalco LCD/Plasma Cleaner AE112 is perfect for the job. Avoid using paper towels as they can easily scratch the screen. Gently wiping the screen with a soft dry cloth will do the trick and remove most traces of dirt and fingerprints. For a really dirty monitor, the cloth can be lightly moisten with alcohol.

The inside of the computer can be cleaned by opening the side panel and using compressed air or duster (Asalco Duster AE 305, for example) to blow out dust, dirt, and hair that has collected inside. ElectroStatic Discharge (ESD) can destroy vital parts of your computer hardware, so use extreme care when cleaning in around the computer’s interior.

When cleaning a computer, you may also wish to clean its accessories. To clean the scanner, simply spray glass cleaner (Asalco Glass Cleaner AE 109) onto a paper towel and wipe the glass scanner bed. The outside of your printer can be wiped clean using a soft cloth moistened with alcohol, but we recommend that you refer to your printer’s instruction manual before attempting to clean any internal components.

Unasco Anti Seize Tapes Now Available from Asalco

asalco — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:26:26 +0000

Asalco Inc. is the master distributor of Unasco Ani-Seize Tapes. These tapes are a unique product that prevents fasteners from seizure, carbon fusion, corrosion and galvanic pitting.

Unlike anti-seize pastes or compounds, they are non-contaminating, will not run, drip or rub off: This makes them ideal for the pharmaceutical, food and beverage industries. Available from Asalco, Unasco Anti-Seize Tapes coat and seal threads against corrosive liquids and vapours and prevent fasteners from loosening during vibration and shock loading.

These specialty anti-seize tapes have significant advantages in aggressive conditions and are particularly effective in areas where machinery or fixtures are immersed in or washed by water or other corrosive liquids.

Asalco offers these specially formulated anti-seize tapes in 4 specialist types:

Anti-Seize Gold is ideal for applications that demand exacting standards of reliability;
Anti-Seize Copper for general-purpose applications;
Anti-Seize Nickel for aluminum and stainless steel;
Anti-Seize Ceramic for areas where metal-filled tape is inappropriate.

Simple to use, apply by wrapping 2 layers of tape around the thread.

Overcome unwanted seizures, breakages, repair bills and downtime. Unasco Anti Seize Tapes from Asalco Inc., are tough, durable and perfect for all industry sectors.

DeoxIT is Now Available in Canada

asalco — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:53:46 +0000

Poway, California/Stanstead, Quebec

The master distributorship by Asalco Inc. for Caig Laboratories Inc.’s DeoxIt® products in Canada was announced jointly today by Mark Lohkemper, President and Chief Executive Officer of Craig Laboratories Inc. and Pierre Chiasson, President of Asalco Inc., a privately-owned Canadian company which turns out specialty chemical products for the electronics industry.

Asalco manufactures, markets and distributes specialty chemical products such as electronics cleaners and lubricants. DeoxIt®, a major brand name of California-based Caig Laboratories Inc, also makes a complimentary line of related products.

Asalco specializes in a diverse array of lubricants and cleaners for the electronics industry such as cleaners and dusters, degreasers, flux cleaners, conformal coatings and heat sink compounds.

DeoxIt® also specializes in a variety of lubricants and cleaners. The company manufactures contact cleaners, connector enhancers, lubricants, degreasers, solvents, shielding compounds, greases, conductive inks and lint-free accessories.

Asalco has been in business since 1986 and is based in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. It has over 100 products under the Asalco name. With the addition of DeoxIt®, Asalco’s list of products will have increased by about 50 per cent.

Caig Laboratories Inc. of Poway, California has been in the business of manufacturing an extensive array of high-quality and environmentally-friendly electronics chemical products since 1956. Its products are distributed world-wide.

To get DeoxIT® products in Canada, contact Asalco Inc.