Is Robotic Abrasive Blasting More Efficient Than Manual?

If you ask me, I’d say “Yes!” without hesitation. Yes, robotic abrasive blasting is more efficient than manual abrasive blasting. It’s essential to look at how robotic abrasive blasting saves time, money, and other resources to appreciate why it’s becoming more widely used in the manufacturing business.

More Speed Means More Savings

Robot Blasting may be six to eight times quicker than a human operator. Using robots instead of hand blasting on every operation may save substantial money while also finishing the project sooner than expected.

Let’s imagine a task is expected to take 10 days of hand blasting by numerous blasters. “You may save thousands of dollars for the asset owner by cutting two days off the schedule with a robotic abrasive blasting solution like Sponge-Robotica,” Jet said Ted Valoria of Sponge-VP Jet’s North America.

“The most costly aspect of practically any project is labor,” Valoria explains. Robotic abrasive blasting may significantly influence an owner’s bottom line because of its speed. A greater workforce and additional equipment may be required, according to Valoria, if hand blasting is to maintain pace with robotic blasting (on similar operations).

To add to this lengthy initial mobilization period, a greater footprint is necessary for the equipment and supplies that are needed. It’s almost hard to bring in the additional resources needed for a manual blast in tiny or difficult-to-access places.

Errors in Human Behavior

A combination of controlled accuracy (pattern overlap) and the use of bigger nozzles at high pressure without fatigue is one of the primary reasons robotic abrasive blasting is so much quicker than hand blasting. Everything is ready for that part of the explosion once the robot is in position, measurements are obtained, and the necessary distance is programmed.

When compared to a human blaster who is fatigued, whose blast pattern drifts about a little too much, or who needs a break, the robotic blast pattern is perfectly consistent. Even though it takes more time to set up the abrasive blasting robot, the increased efficiency more than makes up for the extra set-up costs.

For even more control, there are robotic abrasive blasting devices like the in our website. For example, the “arm” speed of the robot may be modified (and set once) based on the precise parameters of the blast as the robot passes through the pipe.

Sponge-blasting The Sponge-Jet’s robot user, Craig Simmons of Thompson Industrial Services, had the following to say about the device: “The Sponge-Jet robotic blasting unit has exceeded my expectations in terms of both performance and quality. As a result, productivity and quality are significantly superior to those achieved by hand blasting. You should utilize this equipment if it is suitable for your needs. “

No Trial and Error

Robotic abrasive blasting also offers another crucial benefit: less surface contamination is revealed. With manual procedures, there is less risk of pollutants being redeposited after the initial abrasive blasting pass because of the lower start, stop, and unpredictability. It also means that parts of pipe that have already been blasted with abrasives are less likely to need costly “do-over” operations.

There are several advantages to using robotic systems for abrasive blasting, including speed and consistency, over hand blasting. Robotic blasting will become more common as the business grows, which will save owners time, money, and resources.