Forge & Foundry, Mass Finishing, Shot Blasting

Forge & Foundry, Part 1 – Shot Blasting Systems

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Getting castings and forgings ready for the subsequent processing steps presents some of the toughest surface finishing challenges. Shot blasting machines can handle all of these tasks from removing residual sand, casting shells, flashing, die marks, or scale. Whether cast iron, steel, stainless steel, super alloys, titanium, aluminum, zinc, or magnesium, the comprehensive portfolio of Rosler Metal Finishing blasting systems for the foundry industry enables the optimal process for any requirement.

Shot blasting is an essential part of most forge and foundry operations and has been used since the late 1800s. This specialized surface finishing process throws small metal (or mineral) pellets, called blast media, onto the surface of a work piece at incredibly high speeds, ranging from 200-800 feet per second. The impact on the work pieces from this process is what blasts the contaminants from the parts and produces the desired surface finishing effect.

When properly applied prior to finishing, blasting achieves three key aspects of the finishing process:

  1. Cleans and descales surfaces
  2. Creates a uniform texture on the part and blends the surface
  3. Enhances paint adhesion
Continue reading Forge & Foundry, Part 1 – Shot Blasting Systems →
Shot Blasting, Structural Steel

Structural Steel FAQ, Part 10 – Blast Rooms for Touch-Ups

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When it comes to shot blasting complex weldments like the chassis for construction equipment, excavator booms, and wind power components, sometimes even the best turbine placement may not clean all the nooks and crannies of the work piece’s surface.

Surface finishing experts such as Rosler Metal Finishing have solved this issue with the addition of manual blast rooms to automatic shot blast systems.

This installment of our Structural Steel FAQ series will answer When are blast rooms behind turbine blast machines required for manual touch-up?

Continue reading Structural Steel FAQ, Part 10 – Blast Rooms for Touch-Ups →
Surface Finishing Guide Book, Uncategorized

Medical Instruments, Part 3 – Adjusting Surface Finishing Alongside Medical Advances

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All medical technology requires precise surface finishing to ensure safety, strength, and longevity. The specific surfacing goal and technique vary though.

From stainless steel dental drill heads that require deburring and surface smoothing to stainless steel tweezers that require surface cleaning and texturing after forging/grinding and induction welding, the specific treatments are the key to surface finishing success.

Medical Instruments, Part 3 blog - Adjusting Surface Finishing Alongside Medical Advances

In our last medical instrument blog, Rosler Metal Finishing discussed the merits of mass finishing and shot blasting for medical instruments.

This blog will address a particularly challenging form of material in need of surface finishing and answer the question: What specific surface finishing challenges are there in the medical field?

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Mass Finishing

Spinal Implants, Part 2 – Processed to Perfection

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Along with the material choice discussed in Part 1 of our Spinal Implants series, surface treatment is the most important factor affecting the functionality, performance, and longevity of spinal implants and instruments.

During the manufacturing process they may have to undergo multiple finishing operations including burr removal from previous manufacturing operations, rounding of sharp edges, general surface cleaning, surface smoothing, and, frequently, high gloss polishing.

Treatment steps can also include surface texturing/profiling and shot peening, areas Rosler Metal Finishing has extensive experience in.

This blog post will focus on the finishing requirements and challenges of spinal implants as well as the solutions provided by mass finishing and shot blasting processes and the associated costs.

Continue reading Spinal Implants, Part 2 – Processed to Perfection →
Mass Finishing

Medical Instruments, Part 2 – Mass Finishing or Shot Blasting, Which Technique is Best?

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The medical industry is constantly looking for better, more suitable materials that will offer greater performance and longevity for medical devices, implants, and instruments while simultaneously searching for more efficient manufacturing technologies.

When it comes to surface finishing, such newly developed materials and manufacturing processes can pose considerable technical challenges. That’s why close cooperation between the medical device manufacturers and qualified surface treatment experts is essential during the development and prototyping phase.

In our last medical instrument blog, Rosler Metal Finishing discussed the surface finishing requirements for medical instruments. This blog will dive deeper into the techniques used in surface finishing and answer the question: What is the best type of surface finishing for medical instruments?

The short answer is a combination of mass finishing and shot blasting. Guidance for a surface finishing expert can help determine the best process – typically a series of processes – for a specific medical instrument.

Continue reading Medical Instruments, Part 2 – Mass Finishing or Shot Blasting, Which Technique is Best? →
Mass Finishing

Spinal Implants, Part 1 – Surgical Specifications

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Technological advances in medical equipment and implants have driven worldwide spinal implant sales to $10 billion annually.

Like orthopedic implants used for joint reconstruction and the surgical fixation of a bone fracture, spinal implants are subject to very specific and strict surface finishing requirements.

Mass finishing and shot blasting play a key role in creating the right finish for spinal implants, not only for intermediate surface treatment after forging, casting, machining, additive manufacturing, etc., but also for placing the final surface finish before implantation.

Rosler Metal Finishing has extensive experience in surface finishing spinal implants using mass finishing, shot blasting, and a combination of both methods.

In a series of posts, we’ll analyze the specific surface finishing requirements for spinal implants based on their functional and performance characteristics and describe the respective mass finishing and shot blasting equipment and methods available to fulfill these requirements.

Continue reading Spinal Implants, Part 1 – Surgical Specifications →
Mass Finishing

Medical Instruments, Part 1 – Surface Finishing Requirements for Medical Instruments

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Rosler Metal Finishing understands that medical instruments are subject to stringent quality standards. Whether during an office visit or a complicated surgery, material defects or malfunctions may create dangerous and even fatal consequences for patients and healthcare workers alike. Providing precise and durable surface finishes  for work pieces used in the medical industry is one of our passions.

In a series of blog posts, we’ll discuss the various technologies used for finishing the surface of medical instruments and how mass finishing and shot blasting play a key role, not only as intermediate steps but also for placing the final, finishing touch on these work pieces.

We begin with a basic question: What are the surface finishing requirements associated with medical instruments?

Materials Matter

Medical instruments are exposed to frequent use and subject to highly corrosive atmospheres caused by frequent sterilization in a steam pressure chamber, exposure to chlorine wipes, and ultrasonic cleaning. They must never fail. To minimize wear and prevent corrosion most medical instruments, especially surgical tools, are made from tough, slow wearing, corrosion-resistant, high-performance metal alloys including austenitic stainless steel, titanium, or cobalt chrome.

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Mass Finishing

Achieving Specific Finishes for Trauma Implants

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In our last trauma implant blog, Rosler Metal Finishing discussed the materials used in trauma implants. From hip replacements to cranial plates, there are numerous uses for trauma implants; each with its own unique surface finishing needs and requirements.

Trauma implant manufacturers must achieve the necessary surface finish to ensure patient safety and best results. These finishing requirements can range from simple cleaning or deburring to surface smoothing and high-gloss polishing.

  • Cranial plate being processed in a mass finishing bowl.
    Cranial plate being processed in a mass finishing bowl.

This blog will answer the question: What techniques are used to finish off trauma implants?

What types of finishes are used?

Trauma implants are subject to multiple finishing operations throughout the manufacturing process. After manufacturing steps including forging, blanking, machining, and thread cutting for screws, the workpieces usually undergo a surface cleaning (descaling, de-oiling), deburring, edge radiusing, or surface grinding operation, before they receive their final finish.

Continue reading Achieving Specific Finishes for Trauma Implants →
Shot Blasting

Structural Steel FAQ, Part 9 – Removing Residual Blast Media and Dust

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After shot blasting, structural steel components often require some cleaning. The degree of cleaning depends on the work piece’s condition prior to processing as well as machine set-up.

This installment of our Structural Steel FAQ series will answer How are residual blast media and dust removed from shot blasted steel components?

Why Remove Residue

Ancillary machine attachments and processes may be required to remove blast media and dust resting on structural steel components to ensure surfaces are properly prepared for painting and coating.

The need for a clean and well-prepared surface after shot blasting mirrors that of the pieces surfacing in the first place as discussed in Part 1 of this series.

Methods of Removal

Practically all plate and profile roller conveyor shot blast machines are equipped with a media brush-off system at the machine exit. By adding a rotary brush at the end of the process, residue is removed as the work piece exits the machine.

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Mass Finishing

The Importance of Material Selection in Trauma Implants

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Rosler Metal Finishing understands that trauma implants and medical devices are subject to stringent quality standards. Any material defect or malfunction can have catastrophic consequences for a patient. That’s why we take our work in the trauma implant field very seriously.

Also known as osteosynthetic implants, trauma implants include pins, screws, and plates used to surgically fix a bone defect. Implant manufacturers must select the right material and attain the required surface finish to ensure patient safety and best results.

Spinal Rods & Screws

In a series of blog posts, we’ll answer the most common questions about trauma implant materials and finishes.

We begin with a basic question: What materials are used in trauma implants?

The answer, in short, is usually stainless steel or titanium.

Does the material performance affect the selection?

In order to select the best material, trauma implant manufacturers must understand the specific performance attributes of the implant they are creating. Implants are subject to very strict performance and reliability standards. Selected materials must act as bone stabilizers and healing support while meeting the following guidelines.

Continue reading The Importance of Material Selection in Trauma Implants →

Shot Blasting and Mass Finishing Surface Finishing Experts

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