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Wheel blasting

Blasting process where an abrasive agent which often consists of metal balls is supplied to a rotating wheel which then throws the balls onto the contact surface of the workpiece.

Beskrivning
Illustration of Wheel blasting

The process

An abrasive blasting material [1], which in most cases consist of small metal balls is supplied initially via tubing to the center of an inner rotating wheel [2]. The centrifugal force throws balls through small openings in the wheel onto a stationary drum with a slit [3] that places the balls onto the outer rotating wheel with blades [4]. The vanes hurl the balls at high speed against the workpiece to be blasted.

The process takes place in an enclosed space where the removed material is separated from the balls that are reused continuously.

Advantages and disadvantages
In comparison with alternative methods
Good cleaning speed
Effective for large components
Does not require compressed air to operate
Can damage the product due to high speed
Onlylimited amount of abrasives can be used
Not suitable for non-uniform and relatively flat products