Specialist Cleaning
DOFF System
DOFF cleans stonework and masonry using high-temperature steam.
Whilst the temperature in the system is high, the pressure on the surface being cleaned is very gentle and the volume of water is low. The surface is therefore not saturated and will be dry within minutes.
The superheated water vapor will remove paint, moss, algae, fungi and other biological matter and will also kill off spores. This means there’s then no need to use a chemical biocide during the removal process or as a protection against further biological activity.
Phoenix Conservation Laser
A laser is a unique source of energy, providing an intense, highly directional, pure form of light that is able to deliver energy to a surface in a highly controllable manner. The most commonly used laser cleaning systems in conservation emit very short pulses of infrared light, typically at a wavelength of 1064 nm. Light at this wavelength tends to be absorbed strongly by pollution encrustations and many other types of dirt layers and surface contaminants, whereas the surface of the artwork often reflects this light strongly; to some extent the laser beam is able to differentiate between the dirty and clean surfaces.
The energy absorbed by the dirt layer is almost instantaneously converted into heat; this extremely fast heating effect generates forces sufficiently strong to eject the dirt particles away from the surface. In many cases, the light interacts only weakly with the surface of the artwork and the removal process stops as soon as the clean surface is exposed.
IBIX Helix Abrasive Cleaning
Helix is a special technology able to give a rotatory motion to the abrasive exiting the gun of the IBIX cleaning system.
In this way the impact of the abrasive on the surface is not vertical but tangential so that the abrasion is more gentle and respectful of the treated surface, increasing at the same time the contact area and the machine effectiveness.
The Helix gun reduces significantly the air flow necessary for the functioning of the micro aero-abrasive system and this allows to highlight the potentialities of IBIX devices, which have always been known for their small dimension, light weight, ecology and affordable price.
The Helix patent has been developed in particular for the restoration field and it is ideal for wood and all materials that need to be treated gently.