Tube Blast Machines
Internal blasting systems for tubes and coils
In contrast to other hollow bodies, tubes can be blasted horizontally because the abrasive or compressed air can escape from the other end. The tube blasting process comprises the actual blasting process and the subsequent air purging with compressed air.
Tubes with internal diameters of up to 50 mm are blasted using blast-through systems, tubes with larger internal diameters are blasted using lance blasting systems.
I. Blast-through systems (for IDs up to 50 mm)
In the blast-through process, the blasting nozzle is docked onto the tube from the outside. The blasting effect is based on a continuous reflection of the blast media from the inner surface of the tube (ricochet effect). The blast media emerging from the other end of the tube is collected in a collecting cabinet and transported back to the blasting system from there.
The blast-through process is used for internal diameters up to approx. 50 mm. For larger diameters, the abrasive effect is too weak, so that in this case lance blasting systems are used.
a) Blast-through systems for manual tube handling
These systems require manual loading and unloading of the tubes.
The illustration shows a manually loadable double blasting station with integrated control panel. Tubes with different diameters can be blasted by exchanging the attachments. The blasting and purging duration can be adjusted using a potentiometer.
An abrasive collection cabin is located opposite the blasting station. The blast media escaping from the end of the tube(s) is collected here and conveyed from there to the connected closed-circuit blasting machine.
b) Blast-through systems with automated tube transport
These systems include loading table, singling unit, tube transport and belt trough.
II. Lance blasting systems (for IDs over 50 mm)
In the lance blasting process, blast nozzles mounted at the end of a lance are retracted into the tube. Depending on the tube diameter and blast media, the tubes are blasted with a circular blast nozzle or an angular blast nozzle with simultaneous tube rotation.
A circular blast nozzle can be used for smaller tube diameters and/or abrasive with medium abrasiveness (cast steel). Advantage: Tube rotation is not required.
For larger tube diameters and/or blast media with high abrasiveness (corundum, silicon carbide), an angular blast nozzle or angulated blast head is used. The tube needs to be rotated during the blasting process.
a) Lance blasting systems without enclosure
b) Lance blasting systems with complete enclosure
Which type of blast media?