Blast Cabinet automates surface preparation.
November 27, 2007 -
Featuring one spindle, 6 blast guns, and programmable process routines, rotary blast machine uses fast-etching mineral grit abrasives to produce specified texture or roughness on target surfaces. Manual initiation of process cycle requires holding of 2 pressure-less, photosensitive thumb switches. For unmanned operation, automation-compatible controls enable cabinet to be interfaced for loading by machine-tending robot or pick-and-place devices.
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Original Press release
Guyson Corporation of U.S.A.
W.J. Grande Industrial Park
Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
USA
Blast Cabinet Automates Surface Prep
Guyson Corporation offers a small-footprint rotary blast machine with a single spindle, multiple blast guns and programmable process routines for repeated surface preparation in work cell manufacturing environments.
A vertically sliding front loading door is automatically opened by a pneumatic cylinder at the completion of the timed blasting and blow-off cycle. The door is provided with a vacuum return catch-tray to retain blast media in the cabinet. When the machine is to be loaded by a human operator, closing of the door and automatic initiation of the process cycle requires holding of two pressureless photosensitive thumb switches. For unmanned automatic operation, the blast cabinet is designed with automation-compatible controls, so it can readily be interfaced for loading by a machine-tending robot or pick-and-place device.
Inside the work chamber, up to six suction-blast guns are mounted on telescoping adjustable brackets at the proper angles and offsets to ensure uniform coverage of target surfaces. In many cases, selective or overall treatment can be accomplished with the guns locked in fixed position as the component is rotated at controlled and adjustable speed. The manufacturer also offers programmable motion systems for the blast guns to provide oscillating, linear, multiple-axis or robotic nozzle movement that is synchronized with component rotation.
A touch-screen panel simplifies entry and monitoring of process control parameters such as spindle rotation speed or blast cycle duration. It clearly gives text and graphic indications when faults, such as insufficient air supply pressure or low media level, are detected by electronic sensors.
The automated cabinet-blast system is designed to use fast-etching mineral grit abrasives, such as aluminum oxide and silicon carbide, to quickly and consistently produce a specified texture or roughness on target surfaces. Thus, numerous abrasion protection features are incorporated in the system to resist the erosive effects of such harsh blasting materials.
All interior surfaces of the blast cabinet, as well as the cyclone media reclaimer's body, cone and inlet elbow have a bonded abrasion-resistant rubber lining. In addition to its role in protection of the machine, the bonded liners serve as an acoustic insulator to deaden the sound of the air-blast process. Extra thick cast urethane rubber ducting carries exhaust air with entrained abrasive from the blast cabinet to the cyclone reclaimer, outlasting standard- duty flexible ducting many times. Urethane rubber hoses deliver abrasive to the cast bronze blast guns, which are fitted with super-hard boron carbide nozzles.
Prospective users of automated gritblasting systems are encouraged to submit sample components for free laboratory testing and application engineering evaluation at the machine builder's factory in northeastern New York State.
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