Tag Archives: Wet Blasting

Intuitive Post Processing Preserves Intricate 3D-Printed Details

AM Solutions, a brand of The Rosler Group, provides post-processing solutions for a number of customers worldwide.

For leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and high-precision cutting plotters, Mimaki, Rosler and AM Solutions collaborated with the Japanese printer manufacturer to develop a fully automated surface finishing system for a Full-Color Inkjet 3D Printer.

Through collaboration, a fully automatic machine capable of safely removing support structures for work pieces with the finest detail was developed.

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Shot Blasting 101

Shot blasting is a specialized surface finishing process where small metal (or mineral) pellets, called blast media, are thrown onto the surface of a work piece at incredibly high speeds. With rates of speed ranging from 200-800 feet per second, the impact on the work pieces from this process is what produces the desired surface finishing effect.

Shot blasting can help achieve surface cleaning, surface preparation, descaling, deburring, deflashing, and shot peening.

The process components of a shot blasting system include a shot blast machine, raw and finished work pieces, blast media, dust, and other byproducts. Rosler has more than 80 years of experience in developing comprehensive shot blasting systems.

The two most common types of shot blast machines are turbine blasting and air blasting.

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Wet Blasting Equipment & Media, Part 5 – Careful Media Selection, Additive Use Impact Results 

Wet blasting and dry shot blasting often use similar media to achieve the desired processing result.

Unlike dry blasting that only uses a solid abrasive media, wet blasting processes use a slurry of water with the shot blasting media. This greatly cushions the impact energy on the work pieces, providing gentler, yet effective results for delicate work pieces. The achieved surface finish and appearance will also differ between wet and dry processes, even when the same media type and size are used.

With more than 80 years of experience worldwide, Rosler can supply both the machines and media best suited for your wet blasting needs.

Common Media Types

As long as it is heavier than water and not water soluble, practically any media used for dry blasting can be used for wet blasting.

It is important to consider the usefulness of the media compared to its cost. While a cheaper or longer-lasting media may be available, it may also require additional processing time to accomplish the desired surface finishing. Selecting the most appropriate media for your process requires balancing initial costs with overall results.

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Wet Blasting Equipment & Media, Part 4 – Internal Cleaning, Rebuilds Prolong Machine Lifetime  

While highly effective in a number of applications and industries, wet blasting can be a messy process. Unlike dry shot blasting which produces dust, wet blasting generates a mix of media, dirt, and debris mixed with water mist.

If this water/particle mix is not removed properly the machine itself may be soiled to the point that it cannot be used. Mist which escapes the machine can also cause health hazards to personnel and other equipment in the area.

Rosler builds its wet blasting machines with usability and safety in mind, factoring in precautions and cleaning functions to prolong the machine’s use and ensuring a clean, safe work environment.

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Wet Blasting Equipment & Media, Part 3 – Maintain Slurry Concentration for Finishing Consistency

Wet blasting propels a mixture of media and process water at the surface of a work piece to provide cosmetic (anti-glare) finishes, surface smoothing, deburring, de-powdering, decontaminating, and cleaning after casting, welding, machining, and additive manufacturing.

Useful in a variety of industries, this specialized form of shot blasting relies heavily on the media and water mix known as wet blasting slurry to work in tandem with the machinery in order to deliver the desired finishing results.

Rosler has extensive experience developing wet blasting systems as well as providing guidance on slurry concentrations and supplying the necessary consumables.  

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Wet Blasting Equipment & Media, Part 2 – Technical Components Combine for Systematic Success

Wet blasting technology lends itself to a variety of processes and industries. From applying cosmetic (anti-glare) finishes and surface smoothing to deburring, de-powdering, decontaminating, and cleaning after casting, welding, and additive manufacturing, wet blasting has many capabilities.

Rosler has decades of worldwide experience developing technology and machines customized to each customer’s unique challenges and demands. Each solution we deliver is innovatively designed around core wet blasting components and calibrated to your work piece with carefully selected media and tested process parameters.

Basics Components

Wet Blast Principle Diagram

Regardless of their uses, all Rosler wet blasting machines start with a core group of components. While customized options and accessories can be added, these systems typically include 10 key components.

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Wet Blasting Equipment & Media, Part 1 – Machines Range in Complexity, Uses

Because of its many technical advantages and versatility, wet blasting is the fastest-growing segment in the field of shot blasting.

As with dry blasting, the available scope of wet blasting machinery ranges from simple, low-cost blast cabinets to sophisticated, partially or fully automated systems. Customers can choose between a wide spectrum of standard wet blasting equipment, however, for certain applications, special custom-engineered systems may offer the most efficient and cost-effective solution.

The machine type is usually determined by the processing task, the size and shape of the work pieces, and the desired degree of automation. Frequently, multi-axis robots are used for work piece handling or guiding the blast gun movement.

Rosler has extensive experience in wet blasting technology and the development of customized solutions. We have even developed the Rosler PureFinish® system for cleaning stainless steel components for the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries through wet blasting. This system cleans the work piece surface while facilitating cleaning, sterilization, and prohibiting bacterial growth.

Learn more about common types of wet blasting systems and examples of machine use for a glimpse into the technical capabilities wet blasting offers.

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Wet Blasting Technology, Part 5 – PureFinish® Offers Food-Grade Excellence

Within the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries, hygiene is a top priority. For safety and quality assurance, the occurrence of contamination through bacteria, proteins, or other elements must be prevented. Process plants require a defined, homogeneous, and reproducible surface for all parts that come in contact with food, beverages, chemicals, and pharmaceutical products.

Rosler delivers full compliance cleaning for stainless steel surfaces with PureFinish®, a unique wet blasting process.

What is PureFinish®?

Rosler developed this proprietary blasting process to deep-clean stainless steel components. Media specifically designed by Rosler for this environmentally friendly process remains suspended in water and is propelled onto the work piece surface with velocity. 

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wet blasting technology, part 4 – typical wet blasting applications

Wet blasting can do nearly any job that is done with dry shot blasting. The defining differences are that wet blasting does so more gently and without producing dust. In addition, wet blasting can handle a small amount of oil and grease unlike dry blasting.

At Rosler, we have more than 80 years’ experience in surface finishing. While wet blasting has gained popularity recently, we’ve used this technique to provide precise, repeatable results to a number of industries over the years.

Typical Applications

With proper testing and process parameters, wet blasting can achieve numerous surface finishing goals.

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Wet Blasting Technology, Part 3 – Technical Features, Slurry Control Achieve Precise Finishing

Numerous technical features combine to make wet blasting an effective method of surface finishing.

When expertly combined by an experienced finishing expert such as Rosler, this method can achieve precise and repeatable results on a variety of work pieces from a wide range of industries.

A general understanding of the essential technical elements of a wet blasting machine will help you select a machine for your specific needs as well as prolonging the efficiency and life of existing wet blasting equipment.

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