The Process:

Abrasive Blasting is a surface preparation method that involves forceful projection of a stream of abrasive particles on component, mechanically or with the help of compressed air, to remove its surface contaminants, scale, rust, corrosion etc., and to provide a clean surface.

Abrasive Blasting is widely used for de-burring, de-scaling, de-flashing of industrial components, cleaning of casting and forged components, cleaning of moulds, removal of rust and corrosion prior to painting, plating, coating or metallizing, maintenance cleaning of shop components, to provide matt finish, and for various industrial surface preparation applications.

Air Operated Abrasive Blasting:

Air Operated or Pneumatic Abrasive Blasting refers to forceful projection of abrasive stream with help of compressed air. The abrasive media is stored in a storage tank or pressurised vessel from where it is propelled through a blast hose with help of compressed air. The media issues out of hose through a blast nozzle to strike the work surface.

The process is also recognized as Sand Blasting, Grit Blasting, Shot Blasting, Glass Bead Blasting, etc. according to the type of blasting media used. A variety of blast cleaning media is used as abrasives. The selection of process, media, and media size depends upon the type of cleaning and finish required for different applications.

Airless Shot Blasting:

In Airless or Centrifugal Shot Blasting abrasives (mainly shots) are projected by centrifugal force of turbine wheel. The particles issue out at a high speed on the work surface to perform blast cleaning.   

Comparision of Processes:

Various manufacturers claim respective advantages / disadvantages of above process as compared to each other. In practice, selection of process depends on application for which the blast cleaning process is to be installed, shape / profile / geometry of the component to be blast cleaned, quantum of job to be processed per shift / production output and budget limitations, if any.

Centrifugal blasting is advantegeous for high production volume as a large quantum of shots are imparted on job surface through blast wheel with great impact thus suitable for cleaning of rigid structural components. Number of wheels need to be increased to cover the total profile as needed.

Pneumatic blasting facilitates blast cleaning through a blast nozzle with blast hose in hands of opertaor facilitating him easy appopach to the complete geometry of component, as well as approach to intricate shapes and areas. The unique feature to regulate media flow quantity and air pressure and an advantage of using a wide variety of abrasives with different physical properties and particle sizes facilitates pneumatic blasting to cover a wide zone of blast cleaning applications that couldn't be made possible by centrifugal blasting. A wide range of equipment in standard sizes, customised designed models with automation and controls with PLC, servo & robotic facilitate a total dust free blast cleaning with repeat accuracy, consistancy and process control.  

Kushal Shot Blasting Equipment has a team of experienced engineers who study and analyze user's requirement and suggest best process and suitable equipment for the desired application.