Shot Blast Cabinet with Track System for Elongated Parts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blast cabinets are cumbersome to reposition and adjust for blasting different surface areas of elongated parts, as they are not easily movable along the length of the part, leading to inefficiencies in surface treatment processes.
Innovation Solution
A blast cabinet system equipped with a track system and wheels that allow for lateral movement along a track, enabling the cabinet to be translated easily along the length of a part, combined with support systems for holding the part in place, facilitating the blasting of various surface areas without the need to reposition the part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the blast cabinet is made stationary and large enough to accommodate the entire part, then the part can be fully treated without moving the cabinet, but the cabinet becomes cumbersome and difficult to reposition for accessing different surface areas
Solution Approach 1:
The blast cabinet is transformed from a stationary structure to a mobile unit by introducing a track system with rollers. The cabinet can now be dynamically repositioned along the track to access different surface areas of the part, resolving the contradiction between ease of repositioning and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The track system is divided into multiple sections that can be independently positioned and connected. This segmentation allows the track to be configured in different lengths and arrangements, enabling the cabinet to reach various parts of elongated workpieces without requiring a single large complex structure.
2Productivity
If the part is made movable to access different surface areas, then different areas can be treated, but the part handling becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the part to treat different surface areas, the invention inverts the approach by moving the blast cabinet along the stationary part. This eliminates the time-consuming part repositioning operations while maintaining the ability to treat all surface areas, thereby improving productivity without time loss.
3Weight of moving object
If the blast cabinet is made smaller for portability, then it becomes easier to move, but it cannot accommodate elongated parts that extend beyond the cabinet
Solution Approach 1:
The solution extends the working space from a single-dimensional cabinet interior to a multi-dimensional system where the cabinet moves along a linear track. This allows the cabinet to remain compact and portable while accommodating elongated parts by positioning different sections of the part within the cabinet at different times during the blasting process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for efficient and convenient blasting of extended surfaces by enabling the cabinet to move along a track system while the part remains stationary, ensuring thorough treatment without the need for frequent adjustments, thus improving the portability and effectiveness of the blasting process.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of wheels for rolling movement of the cabinet
Implementation Method 2
The seal members help maintain any blasting material that is projected towards the openings within the cabinet
Implementation Method 3
projecting abrasive particulates, such as steel shot, grit, sand, plastics and the like, against the surface to be treated
Data Source
AI summary
A blast cabinet, translation system, and process for use in blasting a surface of a part with abrasive particulate. The blast cabinet includes a basin for gathering abrasive particulate, a covering movable to enclose an opening over the basin, a frame supporting the basin, and a plurality of wheels for rolling movement of the cabinet. The system also includes a plurality of supports for holding the part to be blasted and a track system to guide movement of the cabinet. At least one of the wheels may be configured to mate with the track system, and the track system can be clamped to at least one part support.