Meshed Shell Sandblasting for Uniform Surface Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sandblasting methods for components of various shapes, weights, and sizes face challenges in achieving uniform surface treatment due to components with long and narrow shapes adhering to the container or drifting during the process, leading to poor surface cleaning effects.
Innovation Solution
A meshed shell with a specific weight distribution and mesh design that allows components to roll stably and uniformly, enabling sand to enter and treat the surfaces effectively, combined with a sandblasting method involving controlled rotation and nozzle angle to ensure comprehensive surface treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If components are placed directly in the sandblasting container for batch treatment, then productivity is improved, but components with long and narrow shapes attach to the inner surface of the container causing poor surface treatment uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The meshed shell serves as an intermediary carrier between the components and the sandblasting container. Components are placed inside the meshed shell rather than directly in the container, allowing sand to blast through the mesh structure and uniformly treat all component surfaces while preventing attachment to the container wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The meshed shell utilizes a porous mesh structure with specific aperture sizes that allow sand particles to pass through while containing the components. This porous design enables omnidirectional sand impact on components, ensuring uniform surface treatment even for long and narrow shaped parts.
2Productivity
If components with less weight or small size are sandblasted using conventional methods, then productivity is maintained, but these components drift during the sandblasting process resulting in poor surface treatment effect
Solution Approach 1:
The meshed shell acts as a containment intermediary that secures lightweight and small components during sandblasting. The mesh structure prevents these vulnerable components from drifting while allowing sand particles to effectively reach and treat all surfaces through the mesh openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from direct surface sandblasting to three-dimensional sandblasting through the mesh structure. Sand particles can approach components from multiple directions (top, bottom, sides) through the mesh, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all surfaces including hard-to-reach areas of lightweight components.
3Manufacturing precision
If sandblasting is performed on components buried in powder after additive manufacturing, then surface cleaning is needed, but the powder is stuck on the component surface and difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The meshed shell's porous structure allows high-velocity sand particles to penetrate through and effectively impact powder residues on component surfaces from all directions. This multi-angle blasting through the mesh structure dramatically improves powder removal efficiency compared to conventional single-direction sandblasting.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a meshed shell with uniform weight distribution is designed, then the shell can stably roll in the sandblasting machine, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The meshed shell employs asymmetric weight distribution with heavier end portions at opposite ends of the shell. This asymmetric design creates a stable rolling motion by establishing a consistent rotational axis, preventing the shell from tumbling or rotating unpredictably during the sandblasting 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
The meshed shell and sandblasting method improve the uniformity of surface treatment for components of diverse shapes and sizes, ensuring effective cleaning and enhancing the efficiency of treating a batch of components simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
blast the high-pressure air containing sand to the surface of the component
Implementation Method 2
allow the sand to enter therein
Data Source
AI summary
A meshed shell and a sandblasting method are provided. The meshed shell includes a first end portion, a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, a first annular portion, a second annular portion connected to the first annular portion, a first mesh portion between the first end portion and the first annular portion and a second mesh portion between the second end portion and the second annular portion. The weights of the first end portion and the second end portion are the same. A maximum inner diameter of the mesh of the first and second mesh portions is smaller than a penetration size of the component. Both of the sum of the weights of the first and second end portions and the sum of the weights of the first and second annular portions are greater than the sum of the weights of the first and second mesh portions.