Shot blasting is a vital technique in the metal industry used for cleaning, surface preparation, and inducing strength to metal surfaces across various sectors. The process is environmentally friendly, utilizing abrasion without chemicals, and features a recycle system for materials used. Safety is a significant concern for operators due to exposure to hazardous dust, necessitating protective gear and precautions during operation.

1. Know How a Shot Blasting Machine
Works
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2. The technique that no metal industry owner can function without
is shot Blasting. It is used in almost every industry that uses metal
such as aerospace, construction, automotive, foundry, rail, ship-
building and many more. It is used to clean, to induce strength
also known as shot peening or to polish the metal surfaces.
The process of blasting has become an indispensible aspect of the
metal building and the steel structure industry. This blasting
technique provides some major benefits for the protection and
the maintenance of the steel and metal products. Before you take
a look at the functioning of a shot blasting machine let us take a
glance at some of the advantages that make this technique such
an important part in the metal industry, which are mentioned
below:
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3. Shot Blasting Machine Work

4. Advantage of Shot Blasting:
1. Removal of Corrosion
This is the most preferred technique for removing all forms of rust
and corrosive materials for metal and steel surfaces without
reducing the strength of the product and leaving its base
unaffected. Typical builds of corrosive that develop on the surfaces
are:
• Rust
• Chemical Stains
• Mill Scale
• Faded or Chipped Paint
• Heat Treatment Scale

5. 2. Preparation of Surface:
This method blasting is by far the most effective and most
efficient process for preparing a metal surface before the
painting or coating process is done. It provides high blast pattern
accuracy, with an extremely powerful bond between blasted
surface and the protective coating. The technique helps in
revealing any type of defects and errors. It also increases the
lifespan and the endurance of any future coating.

6. 3. Environmental Reasons
This blasting technique is one of the only few options that
provide environment friendly options for the removal of
corrosion and the preparation of surface:
• The process involves the use of only abrasion to clean the
surface of the metal products
• No chemicals are used during the entire process.
• Acids too are not used at any time in the entire process.
• The only required clean up is of the physical pellets.
• All the blasted steel or dust of medias is blown away by a
powerful vacuum and dust collecting system.
• The process also provides the freedom and convenience of
recycling the materials used in the process.

7. The Working of the Machine:
As part of this technique of blasting, a controlled stream of
abrasive shot material is propelled towards the metallic or steel
surface that needs to be shot blasted with. There is a blast wheel
that is located at the heart of the machine. As soon as the rotation
of the wheel starts, the metallic abrasives or the shot media are
channelized towards its centre. From this position onwards, the
abrasives are accelerated and hurled into the direction of the
surface which is being prepared for finishing.
After the completion of this process, the contaminants as well as
the media make a rebound into a separation system which contains
the dust collection system. Just like the name suggests, the dust
collector is responsible for collecting or for removing the media
that is pulverized, contaminants or dust. The remaining media gets
recycled by returning it to the storage hopper where the particles
can be kept for using them in the future.

8. Types of Shot Blasting Methods:
One of the most commonly used abrasive for this blasting procedure
is sand, this is the reason this process is most commonly referred to
as sandblasting . Other than sand, there are numerous other
materials which are also used for blasting. Some of these materials
are glass beads, garnet, olivine and chilled iron. Garnet and chilled
iron materials are extremely coarse and abrasive in nature and
therefore cannot be used for blasting on soft materials. Glass beads
and olivine are most commonly used for the purpose of polishing
the surfaces. These can be conveniently used for materials like
rubber, glass, metal and plastic.

9. Safety is Top Priority while Blasting Different Materials
The shot blasting techniques is loaded with various benefits for the industries, but
sadly the workers or professionals who are responsible for carrying out this procedure
must be careful about the security concerns into serious consideration. This happens
because these professionals are constantly exposed to numerous hazardous situations
during the process of blasting different surfaces. Airborne dust particles can lead to
health issues and therefore proper protection is required. Some of those hazards are:
• Dust can lead to health problems like respiratory issues which can ultimately result in
serious damage to the human body.
• Metal dust too can lead to serious health issues, because when they are inhaled the
metals like lead, manganese and calcium can be very toxic.
Therefore, it is sensible to leave the shot blasting procedure to the trained experts
who are aware of the required safety measures and wear the right type of safety gears
like protective clothing, masks and shoes. It is strictly advised to handle the media
blasting procedure under medical supervision. Not only protecting the eyes and body
but also protection of hearing or ears needs to be done by all workers. They must
always wear leather leggings, aprons and gloves while handling the shot media for the
blasting process. In spite of such safety concerns the metal industry is indebted to this
process for its advantages as compared to other conventional techniques that are used
for preparing and finishing surfaces.

11. Visit us: http://www.shotblasting.org.in/how-shot-blasting-machine-works.php