The use of robotics in sandblasting is an emerging trend within the defense and heavy equipment industry. Robotic blasting systems improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance safety in ways that traditional methods cannot. These systems are easy to operate, highly customizable, and can switch to manual blasting when needed. Many facilities can integrate robotic blasting systems to enhance productivity and consistency in surface preparation. This is especially beneficial for companies that regularly produce similar structural components, such as tanks, beams, or other heavy equipment. 

For future growth, you can design a “robot-ready” blast room. This allows for scalability, enabling you to automate abrasive blasting processes as your product lines expand with the simple installation of a robotic system. 

• • Why do we blast and paint these large pieces of equipment 

    Defense and heavy equipment are typically made from steel, and steel rusts when it is open to the elements meaning that our equipment will breakdown and eventually rust to nothing, unless we intervene. Steel products need an impenetrable durable barrier to protect the steel from corrosion, we call it paint. These assets are large investments, and if they become prematurely corroded, impact profitability and reduce productivity. Abrasive blasting will ensure that the surface is ready for quality coating (paint) application, by creating a clean surface with an anchor profile, which strengthens the coating adhesion and lengthens the lifespan of the coating. 

• • Lack or regular maintenance leading to breakdowns and High refurb costs 

    Blast media is aggressive, and its supposed to be… however this means that our facilities are constantly trying to wear themselves out and need the help of a good maintenance program to keep them operating in top condition. Regular daily, weekly and quarterly maintenance can extend a blast booths life from 15 years to 45 years, and if you have found someone on your crew that understands this equipment and can do the regular maintenance, He will become your greatest asset. But like all things, we can all do with training, so enroll your maintenance team in BlastShield Academy, they will learn the fine-art of maintaining a blast system, and how to keep a facility operating productively. 

• • Production bottlenecks from growing demand and labor shortages 

    Industry is returning to America and combining this with the current tight labor market is causing labor shortages in fabrication facilities which results in production bottlenecks and the struggle to lift production rates. This is pushing the demand for robotic solutions to a new level.