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5.6
The blast pattern
Abrasive leaving the blast wheel blades is not thrown in all directions. Scatter is restricted to an angle of about
50°. This is achieved through the use of the control cages which surround the impellers. The position of the
window in the control cages determines the blast patterns.
Correct adjustment of the control cages and thus of the blast patterns is the most important factor for optimum
working with the blast cleaning machine.
Incorrect adjustment of the control cages results in very high wear and premature blasting-through of the liners in
the blast wheel housing, as well as reduced blasting performance, uneven cleaning and a possible loss of the
rebounce energy of the abrasive.
The following 5 factors affect the blast pattern:
The turning direction of the blast wheel must correspond to the instructions on the housing
(arrow indicating the turning direction).
With increased wear of the tune-up kit (impeller, control cage) the blast patterns will change.
The size of the abrasive affects the blast pattern. With every exchange of abrasive, the blast patterns
must be re-adjusted.
The correct adjustment of the control cages is the most important factor to obtain an optimum blast
pattern. Each control cage has a lateral window. The position of the window determines where the
abrasive is fed onto the blast wheel blades and where it hits the surface to be treated.
Different types and hardness of surfaces.
5.7 Adjusting the blast patterns
a)
Move the blast head of the blast machine onto a 5-8 mm thick steel plate and blast for 45 seconds at full
amperage without moving the machine from the spot.
b)
Move the machine from the blast zone and carefully inspect the steel plate.
c)
You will find the hot spots on the blasted surface where the machine has developed the highest blast
cleaning intensity. This spot is normally somewhat lighter than the rest of the blast cleaned area due to
the large amount of heat that is generated.
d)
If the ‘hotspot’ is too much on the right, turn the control cage a little bit clockwise. Remove the feed
spout (5) and loosen the cage clamps (3+4) for cage adjusting, the control cage has cast grooves
(1+2) which indicate the opening/window of the cage.
If the ‘hotspot’ is too much on the left, turn the cage a little bit counter
-clockwise.
After adjustment, tighten the cage clamps (3+4) and place the feed spout (5) back.
e)
Now the blasting procedure can be started. When a concrete surface is to be blasted, check the blast
pattern again after some meters and re-adjust slightly if necessary.
