Applications and Uses of Shot Blasting

Plate steel being cleaned for production using the Viking RT6024 shot blast machine.

Applications and Uses of Shot Blasting

Applications and Uses of Shot Blasting is one of the more effective methods of cleaning rust and debris from metal surfaces, and because of that, it can be utilized in numerous industries for a wide variety of purposes. Here we will discuss just a few of the applications and uses of shot-blasting within metal-related industries.

Foundry

Shot-blasting is best utilized in foundry during post-production. After metal castings have left their sand molds and are processed, they still must be stripped of remaining molding sand that is stuck to the surface before they can be further processed. Removing this sand can be difficult, especially with castings that are small or more intricate. Shot-blasting can be an effective way to remove this surface sand from many small metal castings at once.

A before and after casting shot blasted.

Automotive

Smaller car parts such as bell housings and stabilizing bars are also often produced using sand-molds, meaning shot-blasting can be used to clear off the surfaces for further processing. Being able to utilize these processes allows the automotive industry to use lighter metals in order to produce more fuel-efficient cars. Shot-blasting a surface also helps prepare it to be painted and will help a surface maintain its paint job longer.

Manufacturing and Metal

If a manufacturer uses metal in any part of its production, or if metal is their main production, then shot-blasting can be incorporated into its operations. It can be used to remove corrosion and rust before metal is processed, or it can be used at the end of the production to give the metal a perfect finish. As mentioned earlier, shot-blasting a surface will also help the processing of painting the surface.

Propane/Medical Tank Maintenance

Propane tanks, whether being used commercially or domestically, are exposed to the elements most of the time and require periodic inspection, maintenance and repainting.  Viking has developed a specific line of equipment for blasting as well as washing nearly all sizes of propane cylinders or tanks.  As always, make sure they are properly purged of all propane before blasting or washing.

Before and After medical tanks shot blasted on the Viking E50.

Ultimately, almost any industry that utilizes metal can find a way to utilize shot-blasting somewhere in its process. However, this brief look into some of the applications of shot-blasting was meant to introduce a few ways it could improve the efficiency of operations in your company. Viking Wheel Blast Systems has a wide range of shot-blasting equipment ready for use.

Conclusion

Many of these manufacturing processes can be very complex, do to the complexity of each part. Viking Wheel Blast Systems manufactures many styles of shot blast machines to help with this complexity:

1. Chain Mesh Belt – small or intricate parts that cannot withstand tumbling. A chain mesh belt conveyor system can process parts quickly with a minimum of trauma. Chain mesh belt conveyor systems are also easily customized to suit specific product menus and space availability.
2. Roller Table Conveyer System – For blasting plate and structural steel.
3. Monorail Conveyor system – If your facility already utilizes an overhead monorail system, Viking offers airless shot blast machinery designed to integrate into your existing material handling system. Just like all the other pass through systems we manufacture, work envelope, wheel placement, and horsepower can all be customized to meet your exact requirements.
4. Skew Roll Conveyor Systems – For cylinders, pipe, or rod, Viking skew roll technology puts high production at your fingertips for a wide range of applications. The skew roll conveyor system handles round work. By rotating it through the blast chamber on precision cast chrome “V” groove rollers for 360-degree cleaning of the external diameters.
5. Spinner Hanger – Spinner hangers come in a variety of sizes and configurations. These rugged, long lasting, industrial machines provide versatility in blasting a wide range of part sizes, weights and shapes.
6. Table Blast Equipment – Table Blast equipment models are the ideal choice for a wide variety of parts. That are not suitable for tumbling due to size, weight and shape. Parts are rotated on the table and are cleaned by exposure to the abrasive blast from our VMAX blast wheel(s).
7. Tumble Blast Equipment – When high production and superior cleaning are at the top of your priorities list, Viking’s Tumble Blast Equipment are the clear choice. Available in a multitude of standard sizes.  These machines are ideal for high speed processing of parts that can be gently tumbled together without any damaging of the part.
8. Shot Peening Machines – Any of our shot blast machines can be upgraded for shot peening purposes. This is a controlled shot blast technique, that we add special equipment to the machine for controlling this function.