A wheel assembly for a centrifugal blast wheel machine includes a blast wheel and several blades configured to throw blast media introduced into the blast wheel against a work piece. Each blade includes a first side having a first rail portion that extends along a length of the first side and a second side having a second rail portion that extends along a length of the second side. Each rail portion has a locking member positioned on an outside surface of the rail portion adjacent a first end of the blade. Each rail portion further has a contact surface that is configured to engage a surface of a seat of the blast wheel. Each blade further includes a positioning knob located on the first contact surface to prevent the blade from inadvertently being removed from the seat.

An impeller for a centrifugal blast wheel machine includes a hub provided at one end of the impeller, with the hub being configured to be coupled to the motor. The impeller further includes a tapered section provided at an opposite end of the hub, with the tapered section defining a media inlet to receive blast media. The impeller further includes a plurality of drop-shaped vanes positioned between the hub and the tapered section. The plurality of drop-shaped vanes is spaced from one another on peripheries of the hub and the tapered section. The plurality of drop-shaped vanes defines a plurality of impeller media outlets constructed and arranged to allow egress of blast media upon rotation of the impeller. Each vane is drop-shaped having a leading side directed toward a direction of rotation of the impeller and a trailing side opposite the leading side.

An object is to adjust a lower limit of a shot amount with high accuracy. A processor of a shot-blasting device adjusts a degree of opening of a gate of a distributor, which supplies a blasting medium, by subjecting a cylinder in a state of opening the gate to position control with use of a servo motor, so that a load current value of a motor of an impeller falls within a set range having a current lower limit.

An object is to adjust a lower limit of a shot amount with high accuracy. A processor of a shot-blasting device adjusts a degree of opening of a gate of a distributor, which supplies a blasting medium, by subjecting a cylinder in a state of opening the gate to position control with use of a servo motor, so that a load current value of a motor of an impeller falls within a set range having a current lower limit.

A paint stripping system and method of use is described herein. The paint stripping system can comprise a blaster, a buggy, and a dust collector. The blaster can comprise an upper seal, one or more propeller assemblies, one or more recirculators, and one or more motor assemblies. The upper seal can be at the top surface of the blaster. The upper seal can be positionable under an overhead surface such that waste materials and abrasive material that is produced during operation is collected within the blaster. The propeller assemblies can be mounted within the blaster. The propeller assemblies can propel the abrasive material towards the overhead surface. The recirculators can recycle collected abrasive material. The motor assemblies can actuate the propeller assemblies. The buggy can mount the blaster. The buggy can comprise a scissor lift, and a steering system.

A paint stripping system and method of use is described herein. The paint stripping system can comprise a blaster, a buggy, and a dust collector. The blaster can comprise an upper seal, one or more propeller assemblies, one or more recirculators, and one or more motor assemblies. The upper seal can be at the top surface of the blaster. The upper seal can be positionable under an overhead surface such that waste materials and abrasive material that is produced during operation is collected within the blaster. The propeller assemblies can be mounted within the blaster. The propeller assemblies can propel the abrasive material towards the overhead surface. The recirculators can recycle collected abrasive material. The motor assemblies can actuate the propeller assemblies. The buggy can mount the blaster. The buggy can comprise a scissor lift, and a steering system.

A system and method for blasting an overhead surface is disclosed herein. The blaster system can comprise a first enclosure, a second enclosure, a pair of recirculators, a pair of loader valves, and a pair of propeller assemblies. The first enclosure can comprise a pair of primary ports, and a pair of control cages. The pair of primary ports can be at the front surface of the first enclosure. The primary ports can receive abrasive material. The pair of control cages can be attached at the bottom surface of the first enclosure forming a pair of curved surfaces, and a plurality of gaps. Each of the curved surface can comprise a slot. Each end of the slot can rest within each of the gaps such that the abrasive material received within the first enclosure can collect within the gaps and falls into the slot.

A system and method for blasting an overhead surface is disclosed herein. The blaster system can comprise a first enclosure, a second enclosure, a pair of recirculators, a pair of loader valves, and a pair of propeller assemblies. The first enclosure can comprise a pair of primary ports, and a pair of control cages. The pair of primary ports can be at the front surface of the first enclosure. The primary ports can receive abrasive material. The pair of control cages can be attached at the bottom surface of the first enclosure forming a pair of curved surfaces, and a plurality of gaps. Each of the curved surface can comprise a slot. Each end of the slot can rest within each of the gaps such that the abrasive material received within the first enclosure can collect within the gaps and falls into the slot.

A method of altering an additively manufactured part can include orienting a surface of the additively manufactured part toward a rotational center that may be independent of a rotational axis defined by the additively manufactured part, flowing an abrasive media past the surface, rotating the additively manufacturing part about the rotational center; urging abrasive particles in the abrasive media past the surface abrasive media to impinge the surface with centrifugal force generated by the rotating, and improving surface finish of the surface.

To provide an impeller for use in a blasting apparatus and being capable of more efficiently accelerating abrasives.

An impeller 30 has an external shape of a circular disk shape with a predetermined thickness, and has an abrasive entry port 31. Plural abrasive flow channels 32 are formed at predetermined spacings around the circumferential direction of the impeller 30 so as to pass through within the thickness. Each of the abrasive flow channels 32 has an inlet 32a communicated with the abrasive entry port 31 and an outlet 32b opening onto an outer peripheral face. These abrasive flow channels 32 are provided so as to be greatly inclined with respect to a radial direction of the impeller 30 such that an end on the outlet 32b side of the abrasive flow channel faces rearward in a rotation direction of the impeller. This greatly reduces the rotation resistance, and efficiently accelerates the abrasive and compresses air inside the abrasive flow channels 32, thereby accelerating the abrasive by both centrifugal force and ejection of compressed air.