The three tools can be deployed as standalone solutions or plugged into a wider Industry 4.0 system – be it from Norican, customer-built or from another supplier. The NoriGate data gateway is used to extract data from each machine – from the control system and from sensors – while the Monitizer software collects, visualises and analyses it in customizable dashboards.

Heinrich continues: “This is not about collecting data for the sake of it. As experts on the blast process, we can select the right data points to track, so we can combine them meaningfully and in a way that gives us insights into what’s running at optimum and what isn’t. It gives customers the data they need to continuously improve the process and save some money along the way.”

Reducing abrasive consumption – a significant cost factor

Abrasive costs represent a major part of the overall running cost of a blast machine and the volume of abrasive going through the machine, relative to the blast result achieved, is a key determinant of wear inside the machine. Using less abrasive to achieve the same blast result in the same time therefore is the holy grail of blast process optimisation. 

And while modern blast machines have evolved considerably to improve this equation, real-time tracking and analysis of abrasive throughput and other process parameters can push this further. Yet again, this is not something that can easily be done without digital help. 

Wheelabrator’s first new digital tool gives an accurate picture of abrasive use over time and relates it to other metrics, so root causes of high use can be identified quickly. Even complex or more subtle causes of increased abrasive throughput can be unpicked and resolved. The costs of monitoring and analysis are low compared to manual methods.

Saving energy – not as simple as it sounds

Shot blast machines – wheel blast ones in particular – use a lot of energy due the power required to accelerate the abrasive. Bringing that energy consumption down while maintaining a stable blast process could unlock savings and support sustainability agendas. 

However, most blast machine users do not and cannot currently record energy use of their machines alongside other process parameters to identify periods of high usage or unproductive time. Without this data, there is no way of improving a machine’s energy performance in a targeted way. 

The second of the three digital tools from Wheelabrator does just that – it tracks the right parameters to strategically optimise standby and idle times, turbine rpms and more. This means operators and managers can instantly see if their machines are using unusually high amounts of energy, find the cause and tweak the process. Over time, the running of the machine can be adapted for ever better energy efficiency without negatively affecting blast results or throughput (in fact, both may be improved as a side-effect of energy reduction efforts).

Taming a violent beast – preventive maintenance

Lastly, the inside of shot blast machines is a violent place. Wear comes with the territory. As with all equipment, keeping unplanned downtime to a minimum saves money and resources. Yet monitoring operating status and condition of a shot blast machine is still a manual, occasional process. 

Here too, digital can help. By tracking things like turbine vibration levels, pressure differentials in filters and key performance metrics, Wheelabrator’s third digital tool can present a real-time picture of the machine condition and offer an early warning system for wear and drops in performance. This enables preventative maintenance at the optimum point, not too soon, not too late, preventing unscheduled downtime without overspending on parts.