What is Shot Blasting?

After a production part is manufactured in a factory, it goes through one final process before the finishing part, it is called pre-finishing. In pre-finishing, the surface of the part is cleaned and made ready for painting or drilling. A primary method of cleaning the surface of the production part is Shot Blasting.

While the name Shot Blasting may sound similar to Sand Blasting, the processes are drastically different when it comes to cleaning or surface treating. Shot Blasting is a highly aggressive way of surface treatment that is used for tougher and larger surfaces.

In laymen’s terms, Shot Blasting is a process where “shots” are propelled by an industrial machine at a surface to be cleaned with the help of centrifugal or mechanical force. Instead of pressurized air, Shot Blasting utilizes a spinning wheel to accelerate the selected abrasive.

Technologies of Shot Blasting

While surface treatment sector has different technologies, Shot Blasting primarily utilizes two methods of abrasive delivery.

Wheel blasting

Wheel blasting: While initial air was used for the purposes of abrasive delivery, later spinning wheels were used to increase efficiency and output power. The wheel was used with centrifugal force in mind and also the ability to disperse a higher amount of abrasive on an exposed surface.

The speed of a normal Shot Blasting machine ranges from 65 to 110 m/s. Also, the dispersal area was large which meant a surface was cleaned or treated uniformly. From 60 kg/min to almost 1200 kg/min the quantity of abrasive delivered in a short period of time not only made the surface cleaner but also did it in a short amount of time. This is the reason why wheel blasting method is popular in large scale work.

Air Blasting

Air Blasting: Air blasting is still utilized in certain sectors and it was the first iteration of the shot blasting process. This method of abrasive delivery is similar to that of Sand Blasting where compressed air was used to propel shots on targeted surfaces.

The limitation of this process was exposed when larger force was required. While wheel blasting worked with little power, air blasting was a power guzzler. For the same quantity of abrasive delivery, air blasting method required 16 times more horsepower than wheel blasting.

The numbers of workers needed to operate such a high-powered air blasting machine were also exponentially large while two people could operate wheel blasting machine safely.

Process of Cleaning in an Industrial Shot Blasting Machine

When a metal or non-metal part is manufactured in a factory, it does not come out as the shiny product seen in the showrooms or retails shops. Before all the shine and color, oxides, uneven surfaces and other impurities from the surface of the production part is removed.

While it can be done by hand, the process is neither safe, nor efficient. This is where most manufacturing plants use Shot Blasting machines. They are large, extremely efficient, safe, and easy to use. And here are the steps that go into pre-finishing a production part using shot blasting machine.

Handling and Feeding: The first step in most industrial production is the delivery of the parts to the machine. Parts to be cleaned are brought to the conveyer belt, rolling table or tumbler depending on the size of the part.
If smaller parts in large quantities are to be cleaned then they are fed to a tumbler where the central part moves in a circular motion while inlets are used for abrasive delivery. For gears and spear components, special tables are used while Pipes are fed into the machine with the help of a continuous process.
Blast Cabinets: The blast cabinet is where the magic happens. There are openings and closing to allow for parts to enter and exit smoothly. Blast cabinets are where the parts to be cleaned meet with abrasive delivery system and the cleaning process begins.
Since there are abrasives flying all over the place, the blast cabinets are sealed and the inner linings of the cabinets are made of abrasive resistant materials. The cabinets are also connected with dust collector system to keep the cabinet and the environment clean.
Inside the cabinet shots are propelled at high speed against the work surfaces to be cleaned as production parts enter from one sealed opening and comes out of another sealed exit.
Blast Cabinets: The blast cabinet is where the magic happens. There are openings and closing to allow for parts to enter and exit smoothly. Blast cabinets are where the parts to be cleaned meet with abrasive delivery system and the cleaning process begins.
Dust Collection: One of the main reasons why manual cleaning of production parts were largely discarded was because of the cost and also the environmental impact of the dust production. Oxides and metal as well as non-metal small particles were released into the air and that was both harmful for the worker as well as the environment.
Wearing protective gear did the trick but still environment and workspace were made dirty due to the dust flying everywhere. This is where Shot Blasting has an advantage as it is a controlled process the release of dust can also be controlled.
Inside the Blast Cabinets dust is created after the abrasives come in contact with the work surface. Those dust and abrasives are collected separately so that the abrasive material can be refed into the cabinet and dust is taking out of the equation.
The collected dust is then disposed off properly so that the impact on environment is less, the workers can be protected and the environment can be kept clean.

Dust Collection:

One of the main reasons why manual cleaning of production parts were largely discarded was because of the cost and also the environmental impact of the dust production. Oxides and metal as well as non-metal small particles were released into the air and that was both harmful for the worker as well as the environment.

Well, that question purely depends on the need you have. If the parts are small in size and volume then Sandblasting is an economical approach, while same can be said about large quantities and Shot Blasting.

It is come economical for an industrial operation to use Shot Blasting as components of different sizes need to be processed. While the portability and relative ease of use makes Sandblasting a technology to have.

Eurobalt® for Your Shot Blasting Needs?

You can choose Sandblasting and Shot Blasting depending upon your need. But Eurobalt Engineering offers you both possibilities for your production needs. When working with us you can chose either of the choices for the machined, casted or sintered parts we manufacture and it will all be done by experienced workers.

We operate both Sand and Shot Blasting machines in our factories so tell us what you are manufacturing and we will make it and clean the surface for you. We can do the pre-finishing and if you want, we can do the finishing as well, with Powder Coating, to give your production parts the look and protection your desire.

So, pick up the phone, write us an email, or head on over to our forms page and tell us your manufacturing needs. We are fast, we are thorough, we are experienced, and we are looking forward to hearing from you.

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