Know How a Shot Blasting Machine Works

Shot blasting is an important procedure but how does a shot blasting machine exactly work? In the shot blast technique, a controlled stream of abrasive shot material is propelled towards the surface that has to be shot blasted. There is a blast wheel located at the heart of the machine. As soon as the wheel starts its rotation, the shot media or metallic abrasives are channelized to its centre. From this position, the abrasives are accelerated and hurled in the direction of the surface that is being prepared.

Once this process is complete, the contaminants and the media rebound into a separation system that contains a dust collection system. As the name goes, the dust collector is responsible for collecting or removing the pulverized media, dust or contaminants. Recycling of the remaining media can be done by returning it to the storage hopper where it can be kept for future use.

Types of Shot Blasting Methods

The most common abrasive used for this procedure is sand due to which it is referred to as sandblasting. Besides sand, various other materials are also used for shot blasting. Some of the materials are glass beads, chilled iron, garnet and olivine. Garnet and chilled iron cannot be used on soft surfaces because they are extremely coarse and abrasive. Glass beads and olivine are generally used as polishing agents. These can be easily used for delicate surfaces such as rubber, glass, plastic and metal.

Safety should be the Main Concern When Shot Blasting

The shot blast technique has various benefits for industries; however, workers who are responsible for carrying out this procedure need to take security concerns into serious consideration. This is because they are exposed to various hazards when blasting different surfaces. Airborne dust can create health issues and therefore they need to have adequate protection. Dust can lead to respiratory problems and cause serious damage. Even metal dust can create health issues because when inhaled, metals such as manganese, lead and cadmium can be quite toxic. Therefore, shot blast technique should not only be handled by trained experts but the workers should also be wearing the right type of safety gear such as protective clothing and masks. There is a strong need to handle the media in the presence of medical monitoring. Not just protection for eyes and body but hearing protection is also necessary for all workers. They should always be wearing leather leggings, gloves and aprons when handling the shot media for shot blasting method. There are various advantages of the shot blasting method compared to other conventional techniques that are used for preparing surfaces. In this technique, there is no need to use harsh chemicals and you can also select from a wide range of abrasives. Shot blast method can be carried out indoors as well as outdoors. One factor you need to consider when buying shot blast machine or industrial equipment such as manganese steel plates or Almen strips is that always choose a reliable manufacturer.

Carlsen is a professional avid blogger who writes articles related to latest technologies