Product category:
Plant Inspection and Cleaning
News Release from: Guyson International | Subject: Multiblast RXS900
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 16 December 2005
The Guyson impact on fettling and
cleaning
Blast cleaning has been associated with fettling and cleaning for many years and in many ways is still the same basic process that it was when first used
Blast cleaning has been associated with fettling and cleaning for many years and in many ways is still the same basic process that it was when first used A stream of abrasive media (angular or spherical particles) is either propelled by compressed air or thrown by a revolving turbine wheel at the component to remove any loose material, flash or scale, or to provide a cosmetic finish and so give a clean product ready for the next process
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 14 Dec 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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In other ways the blast process has changed immeasurably, with fully automated systems, robot loading and computers now being available to control the entire blast cleaning process.
This increase in automation has been necessary to keep up with the increased productivity and to attain the higher quality standards demanded by the customer.
Automated systems deliver an accurate, consistent and uniform finish for each component.
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By eliminating the variations inherent in hand processing, component quality, cost control and productivity can be dramatically improved.
Three recent Guyson case studies highlight fettling and cleaning within a modern production environment and show there is still a place for both manual and automated blast systems in the market.
Robot loaded automation.
Atlas Copco, the well known air powered tool manufacturer, have installed a robotically integrated beadblast finishing cell designed by Guyson to lightly deburr and cosmetically finish a range of six groups of newly machined rotors, gearshafts, housings and locking and clamping nuts.
The complete cell, which also includes a cyclonic blast media reclamator and a reverse jet, pulse cleaning, dust collection unit, is housed within a secure safety enclosure covering an area of only 15 square metres.
The cell features a robotic loading and unloading system synchronised with a Guyson Multiblast RXS900 Rotary Table Indexing system designed for blast finishing individual components which can be rotated about their own axis.
The blast process is PLC controlled to optimise the finish and to control the precise orientation and presentation of all components in the range, which vary from 15-80mm in diameter, 10-300mm in length and weigh up to 250g each.
GROWTH IN AQUEOUS WASHING.
One area that is seeing growth is the take up of safe aqueous washing into the manufacturing environment, sometimes in less than obvious situations.
For instance, washing can be successfully used for cleaning aluminium billets to remove shop dirt and surface contaminants thus improving extrusion quality and extending die life.
This growth is particularly strong in those companies operating integrated facilities including coating and machining where washing and degreasing is becoming part of the fettling and cleaning arena.
One of France's largest manufacturers of automotive components recently installed a totally integrated Guyson Wash and Blast surface finishing system.
The fully synchronised system combines the use of a Guyson Multiblast RXS900 indexing rotary table, multiple gun, beadblasting machine with a Guyson Marr-Line 400/3 indexing in-line conveyor, three-stage aqueous wash, rinse, dry and cool machine.
The process sequence starts by robotically loading newly pressed components, one at a time, on to one lane only, of a series of dedicated jigs fixed to the conveyor of the Marr-Line wash machine.
After washing, the clean and dry component is transferred to one of six custom-built rotary component carriers fixed to the rotating spindles of the RXS900 Multiblast.
All loading and processing operations are synchronised and linked to the precise movement of the RXS indexing turntable to ensure that each component stops precisely in the same position, for the same timed period, every cycle.
As each pressing stops at the first of two blast stations it is rotated on its own axis during which time it receives simultaneously a measured bead blast burst from three strategically positioned blast guns.
It then progresses to the second blast station where the process is repeated before being transferred to the air wash cleaning chamber where surface dusts and fines are removed.
Emerging to an unload station outside the cabinet, the component is robotically off-loaded and transferred for the second time to the Marr-Line 400/3, on this occasion it is placed on the second lane of dedicated jigs.
Pressings travel through the wash system side by side, one lane consisting of components in a post-pressed condition en-route to be deburred and surface finished, the other with components in a post-blasted condition.
Components on both sides are simultaneously washed, rinsed, dried and cooled to a surface temperature of less than 40 degrees Centigrade, to allow the finished pressings to be packed immediately prior to dispatch.
MANUAL BLAST CLEANING.
Automation works well on smaller components with high volumes but for the more traditional area of fettling and cleaning where you have large components in small volumes, such as castings or moulds for cleaning, then nothing compares to the individual treatment that a manual system can offer.
The need to replace a former blast room facility and at the same time provide a safe and clean workshop environment, were two of the considerations leading to the installation of the largest manually operated blast cleaning cabinet produced by Guyson.
The machine has a blast chamber with a floor area of 2 metres by 2 metres and includes a 1.5 metre diameter turntable that can take components 1 metre high and weighing up to 500 kilos.
Standing on a grille-floored platform protected by a safety rail, the operator can choose from a number of different working positions.
Four armholes, each fitted with protective rubber gauntlets, are positioned on two levels to provide convenient, comfortable access to all component surface areas inside the blast chamber.
A large capacity pressure vessel fitted with an integrated cyclone complemented by an automatic dust collector powers the blast machine.
The complete installation provides the high efficiency blast cleaning performance required whilst simultaneously recycling the blast media and removing dust and debris from the blast chamber, which is retained within the system to provide a clean, and safe workshop environment. Request a free brochure from Guyson International ...
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