Know How a Shot Blasting Machine Works The technique that no metal industry owner can function without is shot Blasting. It is used in almost every industry that uses metal such as aerospace, construction, automotive, foundry, rail, shipbuilding and many more. It is used to clean, to induce strength also known as shot peening or to polish the metal surfaces. The process of blasting has become an indispensible aspect of the metal building and the steel structure industry. This blasting technique provides some major benefits for the protection and the maintenance of the steel and metal products. Before you take a look at the functioning of a shot blasting machine let us take a glance at some of the advantages that make this technique such an important part in the metal industry, which are mentioned below:
Advantage of Shot Blasting 1. Removal of Corrosion This is the most preferred technique for removing all forms of rust and corrosive materials for metal and steel surfaces without reducing the strength of the product and leaving its base unaffected. Typical builds of corrosive that develop on the surfaces are: Rust Chemical Stains Mill Scale Faded or Chipped Paint Heat Treatment Scale 2. Preparation of Surface
This method blasting is by far the most effective and most efficient process for preparing a metal surface before the painting or coating process is done. It provides high blast pattern accuracy, with an extremely powerful bond between blasted surface and the protective coating. The technique helps in revealing any type of defects and errors. It also increases the lifespan and the endurance of any future coating. 3. Environmental Reasons This blasting technique is one of the only few options that provide environment friendly options for the removal of corrosion and the preparation of surface: The process involves the use of only abrasion to clean the surface of the metal products No chemicals are used during the entire process. Acids too are not used at any time in the entire process. The only required clean up is of the physical pellets. All the blasted steel or dust of medias is blown away by a powerful vacuum and dust collecting system. The process also provides the freedom and convenience of recycling the materials used in the process. Technologies Used in Shot Blasting The blasting process involves the use of two technologies:
Wheel Blasting (Air Less Shot Blasting) Technique Air Blasting ( Pneumatic Shot Blasting / Air Operated Shot Blasting)
The Shot Blasting Machine After developing a keen knowledge in the process of shot blasting, let us understand how its machine functions: The shot blasting machine makes use of a mechanical method of propelling abrasive using a centrifugal wheel to remove a layer of the surface and impurities from the surface of metal and steel products. There are three basic purposes that require the need to blast before finishing the product:
It cleans and de- scales the surfaces Enhances paint adhesion by adding texture to the surface of metal products Efficiently reduces maintenance costs by increasing the life of coating
This machine is used to remove the unwanted corrosion and metallic waste on the surface of finished goods. This is done for making the surface uniform and to make it smoother for a better finish after paint or other applications. The process also works for cleaning rust, roughness of the surface and further fabrication. The shot blasting machine is used for cleaning the rough edges of different parts of automobile or any other moulding parts that have sharp surfaces and uneven. The blasting process is extremely important but the question arises how does a shot blasting machine exactly work? The Working of the Machine
As part of this technique of blasting, a controlled stream of abrasive shot material is propelled towards the metallic or steel surface that needs to be shot blasted with. There is a blast wheel that is located at the heart of the machine. As soon as the rotation of the wheel starts, the metallic abrasives or the shot media are channelized towards its centre. From this position onwards, the abrasives are accelerated and hurled into the direction of the surface which is being prepared for finishing. After the completion of this process, the contaminants as well as the media make a rebound into a separation system which contains the dust collection system. Just like the name suggests, the dust collector is responsible for collecting or for removing the media that is pulverized, contaminants or dust. The remaining media gets recycled by returning it to the storage hopper where the particles can be kept for using them in the future. Types of Shot Blasting Methods One of the most commonly used abrasive for this blasting procedure is sand, this is the reason this process is most commonly referred to as sandblasting . Other than sand, there are numerous other materials which are also used for blasting. Some of these materials are glass beads, garnet, olivine and chilled iron. Garnet and chilled iron materials are extremely coarse and abrasive in nature and therefore cannot be used for blasting on soft materials. Glass beads and olivine are most commonly used for the purpose of polishing the surfaces. These can be conveniently used for materials like rubber, glass, metal and plastic. Safety is Top Priority while Blasting Different Materials The shot blasting techniques is loaded with various benefits for the industries, but sadly the workers or professionals who are responsible for carrying out this procedure must be careful about the security concerns into serious consideration. This happens because these professionals are constantly exposed to numerous hazardous situations during the process of blasting different surfaces. Airborne dust particles can lead to health issues and therefore proper protection is required. Some of those hazards are:  
Dust can lead to health problems like respiratory issues which can ultimately result in serious damage to the human body. Metal dust too can lead to serious health issues, because when they are inhaled the metals like lead, manganese and calcium can be very toxic.
Therefore, it is sensible to leave the shot blasting procedure to the trained experts who are aware of the required safety measures and wear the right type of safety gears like protective clothing, masks and shoes. It is strictly advised to handle the media blasting procedure under medical supervision. Not only protecting the eyes and body but also protection of hearing or ears needs to be done by all workers. They must always wear leather leggings, aprons and gloves while handling the shot media for the blasting process. In spite of such safety concerns the metal industry is indebted to this process for its advantages as compared to other conventional techniques that are used for preparing and finishing surfaces. This technique does not require the use of harsh chemicals and the option of selecting from a wide range of abrasives for different results is also available. The methods of blasting can be carried out indoors as well as outdoors. One important factor that can ensure great results is the selection of a reliable manufacturer for your shot blasting machine or other industrial equipment like the Almen strips or manganese steel plates. One such reliable manufacturer is Quality Spare Centre that was established in the year 1990 is a
leading Trader, supplier and Exporter of a range of metal shots and associated machines & equipment. Their quality , design, updated technology and prompt services make this manufacturer a leader in the trade with an unbeatable efficiency that surpasses the expectations of their customers during each delivery of their products.