When it comes to efficient and time-saving surface preparation, shot blasters are a great choice. These machines can clean, prep, and profile surfaces in a single step. This efficiency makes them a valuable addition to your equipment lineup. But how does a shot blaster work, and why is it so effective? We will walk you through the mechanics of a shot blaster and its benefits for surface preparation.
What is a shot blaster?
A shot blaster is a machine designed to clean and prepare surfaces by propelling small steel shot (or abrasive media) at high velocity onto the concrete. This process removes contaminants, paint, some coatings, and debris while simultaneously profiling the surface. This method of prepping the concrete improves adhesion for new coatings or overlayments.
Key components
To understand how a shot blaster works, it’s helpful to know its primary components. The heart of the machine is the blast wheel, which accelerates and propels steel shot onto the concrete. Steel shot comes in multiple sizes, and should be chosen based on the size of your shot blaster and the desired CSP.
The rebound plenum is the curved channel in the machine that brings the rebounded shot back up into the chamber. This plenum is where the dust and debris are separated from the shot with vacuum. The right size CFM dust collector will capture the dust and airborne particles from the shot mixture, and maintain a clean work environment.
How a shot blaster works
The shot blasting process is straightforward but highly effective.
- Steel shot is loaded into the machine’s hopper, ready for use.
- The blast wheel spins at high speed, using centrifugal force to propel the steel shot onto the surface.
- The high-velocity shot impacts the surface, breaking up dirt, and debris while leaving behind a clean, textured finish.
- After impact, the shot and debris rebound back up into the machine and are separated by the dust collector. The separation system filters out dust and debris, recycling the steel shot for continued use.
- The dust collection system captures dust generated during the blasting process, ensuring minimal airborne particles and a safer work environment.
Still have questions about shot blasting? Reach out to your friendly NFE surface prep expert today. Ready to learn more?