At Harmony Castings, we recently replaced our old blast and wash system with a new Viking blast system, bringing a significant upgrade to our mold line. Once the metal castings have solidified, they are pulled from the sand and put into the chamber which blasts the castings with abbrasives, removing any sand and debris left over from the mold line. After this wash cycle completes, the castings are pulled from the chamber and put into the first step of the cleaning process.
The new system uses high performance blast wheels that propel abrasive particles at controlled speeds and volumes to remove scale, debris, and surface imperfections. These wheels can process up to 310 pounds of abrasive per minute, creating a consistent and repeatable cleaning process on every part. Castings move through the blast chamber on a controlled conveyor system, allowing for smooth operation and better flow through production.
This upgraded blast system is also much more durable and reliable. Automated controls, digital cycle timers, and built-in monitoring systems allow better quality control and visibility into machine performance. This new blast system helps us get a head start on the cleaning process with more consistent results and faster turnaround times. It also supports our broader push toward advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0 by giving us even more control over our operations.