Aug 1 2008
Wheelabrator Group has recently delivered a Robot Gripper blast machine (ROTO-JET RG 5/7) to C.F. Maier in Königsbrunn, Germany. This machine was used for the very first time to blast aluminium sand castings and was the chosen method due to the sophisticated nature of the workpieces which require a technically mature and high-quality complete surface treatment solution.
Tailor made solution, short cycle time and optimum blast result
This type of Robot Gripper blast machine was designed and built specifically for the workpieces being blasted, in this case lorry gearboxes and brake hubs weighing up to 50 kg and being 700 mm long with a diameter of 600 mm.
This bespoke blasting solution results in a highly efficient production technique with a quality blast result. The cycle time of a complete blasting process is less than one minute and the abrasive used with this Wheelabrator solution is a high grade stainless steel cut wire.
The workpieces are separated from return scrap and flashes before transfer to the robot section of the blast machine. An optimum blast result is guaranteed by specifically positioning the transfer in front of the gripper system. The only prerequisite is that the work pieces are oil free and relatively clean prior to blasting.
Flexible gripper system for a speedy blast process
The gearboxes and brake hubs to be blasted are picked up by the gripper system of the robot and positioned in the air tight cleaning cell. When preparing the blast programme with specified blast times, it was decided to fit the gripper with a coupling system and a correspondingly flexible handling system for added flexibility when blasting.
Wheelabrator Group has provided C.F. Maier with a totally bespoke blasting solution which has in turn increased their production efficiency, reduced waste, minimised downtime, saved energy, helped cut costs and achieved a high quality blast result. A very worthwhile solution, I think you’ll agree!
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