Who Should Use Shot Blasting Machine?
Wear and tear is an inevident process of nature. Man has constantly tried to overcome this evil and the innovative solutions proposed over time either prevent it or reduce the collateral damages. In the race to find a cure for the same, one such technique has emerged called Shot Blasting. As the name suggests, shots of some material are bombarded on the target substance at extremely high speeds which somehow help it to revive its strength and natural properties. These shots, also called as abrasive media, can be made of sand, glass, garnet and chilled iron, and can be used according to the requirements. Experience says that shots of steel, approximately of 1mm size lead to best results.
The basic principle behind shot blasting is to forcefully collide shots of abrasive media on the target substance, causing the contaminants to rip off, leaving the sample free of impurities with a smooth surface. This accelerating beam of shots is carefully controlled and is produced by a blast wheel positioned in the heart of the machine.
There are vast applications of shot blasting in the industry. Some places which need or should use the shot blasting machine are:
- Foundries: Due to the excessive heat tolerated during casting and forging procedure, metal surface of equipment develop heat scales over time. Formation of these reduces life of the highly expensive and heavy machinery. To combat the situation, shot blasting is carried out on the equipment. The abrasive nature of the shots remove the heat scales without causing any further damage, and finally smoothen the surface back to normal. Homogenization of the metal can also be attained by using shot blasting. Bombarding large sized steel shots on a metal surface dissipates extreme amounts of heat, melting it eventually. This can be considered as an added advantage in all types of foundries.
- Ship building and repair: It is obvious that boats and ships require high maintenance as the metallic hull gets rusted very frequently, thanks to salt water. Corrosion leads to high resource wastage and inefficient repairs compromise security. The solution is to use shot blasting in order to free the surface of rust and other impurities. Once the body of ships and boats are brought back to good shape, close to original, they then can be galvanised and made ready for reuse.
- Aviation Industry: Considered to be the safest mode of travel, it is very important to maintain that same reputation amongst the masses. Hence, even the slightest of things cannot be neglected. One such aspect is the regular cleaning of the runway. Presence of burnt rubber pieces, dust particles, small rocks cannot be afforded near airplane wheels. Portable type sand blasting machine can be used to remove the same from the tracks. Also, increased fatigue resistance of airplane components can be achieved through shot blasting. Another great application of this technique is the easy removal of paint on the airplane.
- Chemical and Petroleum Industry: Chemical cylinders, piping, petroleum stationary tanks are an integral part of the chemical and petroleum industry. Shot blasting perfectly fits into the picture when these elements are to be cleaned and repainted. Immediate and spontaneous leakages can be sorted out by peening a stream of metallic shots from the blaster, after ensuring that no inflammable substance flows under the leak; a life-saver during crisis. Piping joints can be strengthened without any hassle.
