Production increased rejects minimised
Production increased – rejects minimisedKeywords: USF Vacu-Blast, MBC Light Alloys, Blasting, Cleaning
MBC Light Alloys – a specialist in the design and production of sophisticated precision alloy castings and part of the Manganese Bronze Components group – has recently installed a "Ventus® 92PR"glass bead cabinet blasting machine from USF Vacu-Blast International, to remove ceramic mould residues from complex components following the lost wax investment casting process (see Plate 4).
Manually operated, the Ventus machine was introduced initially to clean a small diameter internal bore on a delicate component, which the company manufactures as part of a long-term contract, but has reportedly proved so successful that it is now employed for cleaning a wide variety of casting production. It supersedes the use of a high pressure water cleaning system which could damage delicate castings, resulting in a high reject rate.
Plate 4The USF Vacu-Blast "Ventus® 92PR" glass bead cabinet blasting machine,pictured on the left, is employed at MBC for cleaning a wide variety of casting production, such as the precision components pictured on the right
The pressure-fed Ventus machine has been fitted with a special small blast nozzle, purpose designed for working on intricate areas of delicate parts. This operates at only around 50psi and its use is said to have virtually eliminated rejects, at the same time, increasing processing rates by more than 100 per cent in some cases.
The machine also features a separate, free-standing, in-cycle media recovery system, designed for the more critical surface preparation and finishing applications such as this, that demand the highest integrity media separation. This system automatically reportedly recycles only premium quality glass bead media back to the blast nozzle during operation. Degraded media, dust and debris are directed to a COSHH-compliant dust collector, which is fitted with a quick-release filter cartridge.
Other features claimed of the Ventus "92PR" machine, which has a 896mm x 796mm x 800mm high processing enclosure, include a full-width,gauze-protected viewing window, high internal illumination for maximum operator visibility, easily accessible blast pressure adjustment, heavy-duty full length gauntlets, and an integral blow-off gun to clean components in the enclosure after cleaning. Safety-interlocked access doors have been specially designed to eliminate media and dust spillage.
The MBC group, said to be at the forefront of investment casting, has invested heavily in new technology to streamline its production processes. The company was reportedly one of the first to introduce robotics into ceramic shell assembly, which forms an integral part of the lost wax investment casting process, and operates stringent quality control procedures.
The range of USF Vacu-Blast "Ventus" abrasive blasting cabinet machines is claimed to be the widest and most versatile available. It embraces over 230 manual, semi-automatic and automatic variants, with processing enclosures up to 2m x 2m x 2m, and covers surface preparation and finishing applications of all kinds, using any type of blast media.
Details available from: USF Vacu-Blast International. Tel: +44 (0)1753 526511; Fax: +44 (0) 1753538093; E-mail: info@vacu-blast.co.uk;Web site: www.surfacepreparation.com
