Twin-turntable robotic blast system allows loading/unloading during blasting cycle

Guyson Corp. has introduced a robotic blast system with two turntables on a shuttle transfer cart that facilitates loading and unloading during the automated grit blasting cycle.

The RB-72 TT is designed for production descaling and surface preparation of components up to 66 in. dia. and weighing up to 4,000 lbs. A 6-axis FANUC M-710iA robot is mounted on a robust pedestal in a vestibule at the rear of the blasting enclosure and isolated from the grit-blast environment by laminated fabric. The robot is used to direct two pressure-blast nozzles attached to the end-of-arm tooling.

The FANUC R-30iB controller stores motion programs for processing dozens of different components. It is configured as slave to the robotic blast system’s programmable automation controller (PAC).

The twin turntables are servomotor-driven and controlled as the seventh and eighth axes of coordinated robotic motion to allow precisely regulated rotation or radial orientation of components during the robotic blasting and air wash blowoff cycles. Each table is designed to accept and positively locate interchangeable fixtures for different-sized components.