Hanger shot blasting machine is a type of shot blasting equipment designed to handle larger or heavier workpieces, often in the form of metal parts or components that need surface treatment like cleaning, rust removal, or strengthening. The workpieces are suspended from hangers or hooks, allowing them to move through the blasting chamber while the abrasive media (steel shots or other abrasives) is directed at them.
How It Works:
Hanger System:
- The workpieces are suspended on hooks or hangers inside the machine. These hooks are usually mounted on a conveyor system that moves the parts through the blasting chamber.
- This design allows for the efficient handling of large, bulky, or irregularly shaped parts that might be difficult to process in other types of blasting machines.
Blast Wheel(s):
- The machine is equipped with one or more high-speed blast wheels or nozzles that propel abrasive media at the workpieces. These wheels are usually positioned in such a way as to direct the abrasive at different angles, ensuring the surface is evenly treated.
- The blast wheels use centrifugal force to propel the abrasives, which strike the surface of the workpieces at high velocity.
Workpiece Movement:
- As the workpieces are moved through the blasting chamber (either by a conveyor or an overhead hook system), the abrasive media is continuously fired at them from various angles.
- The rotation or movement of the hooks ensures that each part is exposed to the blasting action from all sides, resulting in a thorough cleaning or surface preparation.
Abrasive Recovery:
- After hitting the workpieces, the abrasive media typically falls to the bottom of the chamber, where it is collected by a recovery system (often using a conveyor, bucket elevator, or vibratory screen).
- The recovered abrasives are filtered to remove any contaminants or dust, ensuring they are clean and reusable for the next cycle.
Dust Extraction:
- Like most shot blasting machines, hanger shot blasters are equipped with dust extraction systems to collect the dust and debris generated during the process.
- This keeps the environment clean and prevents wear on the machinery.
Finished Workpieces:
- Once the blasting process is complete, the workpieces are unloaded, typically either manually or by an automated system, and sent for further processing, such as coating or painting.
Benefits of Hanger Shot Blasting Machines:
- Efficient for Large Parts: These machines are ideal for large and heavy workpieces that need to be cleaned or prepared before further manufacturing processes (like welding, coating, or painting).
- Consistent Coverage: The rotating or moving hooks ensure that each part receives uniform blasting coverage.
- High Productivity: The continuous operation and large throughput make hanger shot blasting machines highly efficient for mass production.
- Flexible: They can handle a wide range of components, from automotive parts to large structural steel beams or frames.
Typical Applications:
- Automotive and Aerospace: For cleaning and preparing large engine parts, wheels, or chassis components.
- Steel and Metal Fabrication: Used for cleaning large metal parts or removing scale from castings and forgings.
- Construction: Can be used for preparing large steel structures, such as beams and columns, for coating or painting.
- Foundry: Often used for cleaning castings before further processing or finishing.
Types of Hanger Shot Blasting Machines:
- Monorail Hanger Shot Blasters: Parts are hung from a monorail conveyor and moved through the blasting chamber.
- Overhead Hook Systems: Parts are suspended from hooks and moved through the blasting area in a similar fashion to monorail systems but typically allow for more flexibility in movement.
- Rotary Hanger Blasters: The workpieces are rotated in the chamber while hanging, ensuring the abrasives strike them from all sides.
Advantages
- Versatility: Works well with a variety of materials and part sizes.
- Automated: These systems often come with automation options for increased efficiency.
- Cost-Effective: Recyclable abrasives and high throughput reduce operating costs over time.
Conclusion
A hanger shot blast machine is a type of equipment used in the surface treatment and cleaning of metal parts. It’s commonly used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing to remove rust, scale, sand, or other debris from metal components. The process involves propelling abrasive materials (like steel shot or grit) at high speed to clean or strengthen the surface of the parts.
In a hanger shot blast machine, parts are typically hung or suspended from a hook or rack that moves through a blast chamber. Inside the chamber, shot or grit is directed at the parts via rotating wheels or air blast systems. The abrasive media impacts the part’s surface, cleaning it while sometimes also providing a beneficial compressive stress to enhance the material’s durability (like in shot peening).