Shotblasting Machines
Automated Blasting Machines to Improve Steel Cleaning EfficiencyThe Wheel Blasting Advantage
The heart of an automated blasting system is the wheel. The blast wheel throws the shot at high speed at the workpiece resulting in rapid cleaning of parts. Wheel blasting machines offer significant speed, productivity and cost improvements over manual blasting.
A typical blasting machine consists of wheels to throw the blast media, a screw to transport the media, an elevator to lift the media and a separator the clean the media and remove small particles. It is then fed into a hopper where it can once again be returned.
A machine can be designed in many different configurations. A number of typical machine styles are shown below.
Shotblast Equipment & Spares supplies the full range — robust Speedlock machines built by Tilghman Rotoblast, plus spares and wear parts compatible with Wheelabrator, Pangborn and other major makes already on South African floors. We supply, install, service and keep you running, all from one local supplier.
Times More Shot Thrown by a Wheel than a Blast Pot
%
More Power Efficient than Air Blasting
%
Reduction in Labour Costs
%
Typical Reduction in Per Part Cost
* Improvement results are dependant on part geometry, machine choice and design and media
Machine Types
Typical machines are Plate Cleaner, Hanger Type, Tumbling and Pipe Cleaning Machines
Plate Cleaners
A plate cleaner is designed to blast flat plate or similar. The plate is normally driven in and out of the machine on an automated roller conveyor.
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Hanger Machines
These machines allow larger irregular shaped components to be shotblasted in batches. The parts typically rotate in the machine whilst being blasted by one to four or more wheels.
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Tumbling Machines
Tumblast machines blast small, robust parts in bulk. Parts tumble gently on a rubber-belt mill while the wheel blasts them evenly — ideal for fasteners, castings and forgings in high volume.
Pipe Cleaners
Pipe cleaner are designed to clean pipe of different diameters. They typically clean the outside of a pipe although they can also be design to clean the inside of a pipe.
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Automated wheel blast machines for sale in South Africa
Our wheel blast machines are used across foundries (casting cleaning and de-sanding), structural steel and fabrication (descaling and preparation before coating), forging, and plate and pipe processing. Whether you are replacing an ageing machine, adding capacity or specifying a new line, we match the machine type and wheel configuration to your throughput and part mix.
New machines and compatible spares. Beyond complete machines, Shotblast Equipment & Spares is a South African source for wear parts and spares — blast wheels, blades, liners, separators and elevator components — compatible with Wheelabrator, Pangborn and Speedlock equipment. Keeping spares local means less downtime and a faster return to production. See our shot blasting spares, or blast booths for manual work.
Frequently asked questions
What is a shot blasting machine?
A machine that uses one or more high-speed blast wheels to throw steel shot or grit at parts, cleaning and surface-preparing them automatically. It is far faster and cheaper per part than manual air blasting.
What is the difference between wheel blasting and air (grit) blasting?
Wheel blasting is automated and airless: centrifugal wheels throw the media, so it is much faster, more energy-efficient and lower-labour for volume work. Air blasting in a booth is manual and better suited to one-offs or awkward, low-volume parts.
What types of shot blasting machine do you supply?
Plate cleaners, hanger machines, tumblast machines and pipe cleaners, configured to your parts and throughput.
Do you sell shot blasting machines in South Africa?
Yes. We supply, install and service automated wheel blast machines nationwide, and keep spares locally.
Do you stock spares for Wheelabrator and Pangborn machines?
Yes — blast wheels, blades, liners, separators and elevator parts compatible with Wheelabrator, Pangborn and Speedlock machines.
What is an automatic or automated blasting machine?
A wheel blast machine that cleans parts continuously without an operator holding a blast gun — parts move through, tumble or rotate while the wheels do the work.
Can you service or upgrade an existing blast machine?
Yes, including older Wheelabrator and Pangborn units; we supply wear parts and carry out service and upgrades.
How do I get a price?
Send us your part type and volumes and we will quote the right machine — get in touch.