Satellite Turntable Shot Blast Machines

Technology:

Wheelblast

Application:

Rust and Heat Scale Removal

Industry:

Medium/Heavy

Process:

In-line

Workpieces can be loaded/unloaded while others are simultaneously processed

Features

Short indexing times/downtimes
High blast performance
Low process costs
Highest precision
Versatile transport technology
Highly efficient blast wheels
Diverse machine sizes and variants

Applications

Shot peening
Surface finishing
Burr and flash removal
Hard scale removal
Blast cleaning

Uniform Blast Results and Reproducible Blast Processes

The delivers highly precise satellite turntable shot blast machines from Wheelabrator have been specially developed for use in the automotive industry.
The machines normally work in 3-shift operation and are used to blast clean and/or shot peen parts, to improve the resistance to fatigue. It is often critical that precise, uniform and reproducible results are achieved.

The machines are available with vertically or horizontally arranged blast wheels and with both manual or automatic loading/unloading devices. The workpiece handling/masking can be performed by robots or other handling systems, to make the shot blast machine a completely automised production cell.

The main component of a satellite turntable shot blast machine is the switching mechanism which moves the workpiece in defined steps within the blast chamber. The optimal application for this kind of machine is the processing of rotation symmetric workpieces. But Wheelabrator also offers satellite turntable shot blast machines for the treatment of motor blocks and other, nonsymmetric workpieces.

A key advantage of this machine is that workpieces can be loaded/ unloaded while others are simultaneously processed.

Depending on the workpiece dimensions, the application and the blast process the turntables can be designed for a range between 3 and 36 satellites.

Typical Workpieces

Gear and coupling parts
Gear wheels
Shafts
Motor blocks

The Process

In general, the workpiece transport system of satellite turntable shot blast machines (SDT blast machines) consists of a precisely indexing turntable and several separately driven satellites. The turntable is divided in these three areas:

1) loading and unloading zone

2) inlet and outlet shot curtains, avoiding escape of shot, and

3) the blast area.

The symmetric workpieces are manually or automatically loaded and unloaded while others are simultaneously blasted. At the same time blasted workpieces are freed from dust and shot in the outlet area and leave the machine with the last indexing movement.

The rotating satellites in the blast area assure a uniform movement of the workpieces. The automatic indexing and the rotation of the workpieces provide short cycle times and optimal blast results. After expiry of the preset blast time the machine indexes one position forward. A new blast cycle starts.

The SDT blast machines are available with vertically or horizontally arranged blast wheels. The machine can be combined with robots for loading/unloading and workpiece or handling without any problems.

Special Features and Options

SDT Blast Machines with Horizontal Blast Wheels

This machine type is used for the processing of gear parts such as shafts and wheels. The 60° wide blast stream ensures that a great number of satellites with workpieces are covered within the blast area. The version with 24 satellites is very often used. Due to the large coverage area,short indexing times (without downtimes) and a uniform blast result are achieved at low cost.

SDT Blast Machines with Vertical Blast Wheels

This machine variant performs blast cleaning and shot peening in one process. It is used for the preparation of tall workpieces, such as stacks of gear wheels or gear shafts, and for large-volume parts, such as car motor blocks. The vertical arrangement of the blast wheels assures a uniform blast result over the whole surface of the workpieces.

Sealing Systems

The sealing system of the SDT blast machines depends on the number of satellites. In case of 3 satellites sealing is provided by doors, with more than 3 satellites by shot curtains or Paternoster systems (Option).

Shot Curtains

The wear- and maintenance-free shot curtains ensure that no abrasive can escape from the blast chamber.

Option: Downholders

SDT blast machines can be equipped with mobile or stationary downholders. These downholders are pneumatically controlled clamping devices which stabilise and/or seal the workpieces.

Each downholder is equipped with its own drive and is synchronised with the belt drive of the satellite. Electric axes ensure that workpieces, satellites and downholders are turned at the same, constant speed.

The downholder system allows both the complete blasting of shafts and the treatment of larger workpiece stacks as well as the protection of sensitive areas.

Typical Applications

Option: Height Adjustable Blast Wheels

This option is used in SDT blast machines with horizontally arranged blast wheels. The blast wheel oscillates during the blast process to increase the blast area by up to 250 mm.

Height adjustable blast wheels offer the advantage that several stacked workpieces, such as gear wheels and also targeted areas of a gear shaft can be blasted. Furthermore, this option provides very short indexing times (without downtimes), high production rates, a homogenous shot distribution over the whole height of the blast pattern and a uniform internal compressive stress pattern.

Other available options:

Control by camera detection
Marking and blow-off station
Carriage for workpiece holders
Visual presentation of the fault analysis
Roof blade to expand the blast area up to ca. 120 mm

Process Reliability for Blast Machines

The surface treatment of safety components, amongst others, demands strict compliance to exactly defined, reproducible parameters. To keep the optimal blast parameters constant allowing a maximal improvement of the workpiece properties and an exact monitoring and regulation of the blast processes, Wheelabrator has compiled a process reliability package (patented) which has been further developed in the frame of Industry 4.0.

This provides decisive advantages:

Minimisation of machine downtimes
Control of the shot projecting speed
Control of the blast pattern and automatic readjustment
Wear test of the blast wheel blades by vibration control
Regulation of the shot flow rate in kg/min
Satellite rotation control
Blast wheel speed regulation

SDT Blast Machines for Shot Peening Processes

Shot peening, also called hardening or ball blasting, is a long-established procedure in metal processing. It prevents the generation and spread of cracks on and underneath the surface; these cracks are primarily caused by alternating stresses, vibrations, friction or corrosion.

Round steel shot impingement on the surface generates a reproducible internal compressive stress in the near-surface areas which improves the mechanical properties of the workpieces.

Shot peened components withstand higher stresses, the service life of highly stressed components can be significantly increased and fatigue strength can be considerably improved.

TITAN blast wheel

The blast wheel is the heart of a blasting machine, as the choice of blast wheel determines the power output and the economics. This machine is fitted with TITAN as standard, which offers excellent blasting performance and unbeatable service life for the main blast components, which are made from hardened tool steel.

The TITAN offers even more wall strength through its wear lining, which creates an airtight and completely insulated housing as well as easing maintenance and repairs. There is a full range of variations and sizes available to ensure the chosen wheel is specific to the job in hand.

Go to the TITAN detail page

Technical Specifications

Type	SDT-H	SDT-HO	SDT-HD	SDT-V
Turntable diameter (mm)	1300/2000	1300/2000	1300/2000	1000/1300/1500/2000
Max. workpiece diameter (mm)	300	300	300	500
Max. blast height, blast wheel 15	65	250	-	800
Max. blast height, blast wheel 17	100	-	120	800
Number of satellites	24-36	24-36	24-36	3-18
Number of blast wheels	2	2	2	2
Power per blast wheel (kW)	11-22	11-22	11-22	11-22
	horizontal blast wheels	horizontal and oscillating blast wheels	horizontal blast wheels and roof blades	vertical blast wheels

Original OEM parts

We provide high quality, long lasting replacement parts. As the largest distributor of replacement parts in the industry we can deliver globally in the shortest timescales to prevent you having to have a large inventory stock on site or breaks in production.

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