Guyson International, a UK manufacturer of industrial finishing equipment, has recently manufactured and installed into a UK manufacturing company an automated Multiblast RSB twin-spindle blast system for the external blast etching of various tubular components. The new system incorporates two rotating blast stations with matching top clamps to hold the product securely, while two vertically traversing blast guns produce a uniform blast etch finish over the length of the parts.

Twin spindles in combination with the top clamp design provide optimal manual process capacity with an operator able to load and unload two components simultaneously. Once the safety-interlocked front door is opened, the operator simply centres the components between two pairs of conical spring-loaded clamps for processing.

A roof-mounted servo drive vertically raises and lowers the twin Guyson Model 900 blast guns, with blasting taking place on the upward vertical traverse, while a compressed air-wash to remove any residual surface dust or blast media activates on the downward stroke. The servo drive facilitates the programming of different speeds for the blast and air-wash phases of the program, delivering greater productivity and shorter cycle times.

The blast system is fitted with a large front opening door allowing easy component loading, while a side door provides further access for maintenance and adjustment purposes. Interior lighting permits a clear view of the blast etching operation.

After blasting, a Guyson CY600/12 cyclone reclamatorextracts the used blast media. This operation separates the reusable blast media from the dust, blast debris and undersized media, reducing the possibility of contamination in the blast media which could reduce the consistency of the surface finish. A Guyson model C800 twin cartridge dust collector completes the system.
For further information www.guyson.co.uk

As demand for additive manufacturing processes continues to grow, BOFA’s filtration technology is now in demand to support the post-processing environment. Post-processing in the world of 3D printing is an important step in the production chain and is vital to transforming the commercial potential of additive manufacturing into high-quality finished products.

Luke Ziolkowski, international business development manager at BOFA International,says: “Post-processing is a catch-all term and means different things to different manufacturers, but the ultimate aim is the same: to create a product ready for market. This typically includes curing, polishing, deburring, mechanical cleaning or air blasting, all of which emit particles or gases that require BOFA filtration to help maintain a healthy working environment and contribute to a high-quality end product.”

BOFA is responding to demand with a number of 3D-print filtration systems that are suitable for post-processing environments. These include the FumeCAB enclosure technology which is suited to stereolithography systems,extractingoff-gassing from the print. FumeCAB can also help with off-gassing from washing stations and contribute to filtration for most other post-processing applications.

BOFA’s 3D PrintPRO 4 has recently been enhanced to support fused deposition modelling, stereolithography, digital light processing and material jetting. PrintPRO 4 can manage multi-unit operations thanks to a high-capacity filtration system, while delivering optimal temperature control. Effective airflow management contributes to an odourless workplace environment.

Finally, AD Oracle iQ is a fume extraction system for laser marking, coding engraving and AM laser sintering applications. The iQ2 intelligent operating system offers extended on-board data logs and real-time system condition visualisation. iQ2 also supports a colour touchscreen user interface, smart alarm configuration and system upgrades.
For further information www.bofainternational.com