New drum blast provides flexible cleaning options.

It pays to be flexible. In metalcasting facilities, flexibility can lead to higher efficiency and reduced costs, which are vital to maintaining a competitive edge.

Sinto Surface Treatment, a new division of Roberts Sinto Corp., Lansing, Mich., recently unveiled its CNDR Drum Blast, a cleaning machine that improves cleaning efficiency, reduces maintenance costs and enhances flexibility by allowing for the cleaning of smaller components without concerns of pinching or jamming in the mill.

Components are loaded into the machine using either a bucket loader or automated vibratory conveyor, depending on the metalcasting facility's capabilities. Once loaded, the machine's barrel rises up to a higher position to start cleaning. During cleaning, the drum oscillates between two positions to ensure exposure of all of the castings' surfaces to an abrasive blast stream as the barrel rotates.

The CNDR is offered in four different models, accommodating castings up to 90 lbs. The machines' footprints range from 6 x 6 ft. to 10.5. x 18 ft. Typical blast cycle times are 9-12 min.

The CNDR differs from conventional tumble blast machines in that it has a unique agitation capability. The barrel can tip slightly forward while rotating, forcing the castings away from the bottom of the barrel and exposing fresh surfaces to the blast stream. The barrel then can tip up to expose more of the castings' surfaces. A unique locking mechanism focuses the optimum blast stream on any size component. Through oscillation and rotation, each component receives maximum exposure to the blast stream, producing a quality finish.

The interior blast mill design has no moving parts, which prevents pinching and jamming of small parts and reduces maintenance. The design does not incorporate a chain link mill. which is common in most tumble blast machines. By eliminating an element that is susceptible to wear, there is less maintenance. Also, the chain mill wear can lead to gaps in the mill, which result in pinch points. Smaller components, flash or sprues and gates tend to get caught in those gaps and can jam the mill. With no moving interior parts, the CNDR can decrease maintenance by 30-40% and lower labor costs.

Select No. 002 at www.moderncasting.com/info