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Media size control may be the most important aspect in achieving consistent blast results.
Empire's cyclonic reclaimers are the best the industry has to offer. The external tuning band allows the operator to control the size of the fines carried to the dust collector, thus maintaining a desired media size range. Adjustments require no tools and once the desired media mix is achieved, the operator is able to "set it and forget it."
For shot peening and other systems where the media size must be guaranteed to be within a specified range, vibratory classifiers are added. 100% of media will pass through the classifier (shown at right) prior to blasting, ensuring consistent arc heights or surface profiles.
Media flow control is also a critical component in automated blasting. Many variables can affect the flow rate, including suction vs. pressure, media type, media size, nozzle size, and blast pressure.
Empire's suction blast systems include our SAR-2 adjustable media regulator providing consistent metering of media. The SAR-2 is easily adjustable by controlling the amount of secondary air entering the blast hose.
Empire's pressure systems utilize fixed orifices for precise flow control and the Automatic Sure-Flo media regulator as an abrasive cut-off to quickly turn the blast on or off.
Shot flow monitors and controllers are often added for shot peening systems. Monitors measure the shot flow and will cause the machine to fault if the flow is outside of the preprogrammed parameters. Shot flow controllers perform the same function as the monitors, but will also adjust the flow to maintain the desired rate.