First Robotic Sandblasting Facility Built in Turkey

Robotic Blasting Facility was first manufactured in Turkey in 2013 by VİG Makina, a domestic manufacturer, and installed at TÜDEMSAŞ in Sivas. The robotic blasting facility was designed with a capacity to clean 6 old and rusted wagons with a surface area of 200 m2 within 24 hours. For wagon types with smaller surface areas and less complex surface shapes, this number can reach up to 12 units per day. Each robot used in the facility was designed with 8 axes. Additionally, programming was implemented to prevent collision of the robot with the workpiece. Before the wagons are brought to the robotic blasting facility, they are cleaned in a washing cabinet with high-pressure hot water to remove oily and dirty areas. Steel grids are used in the wagon cleaning process at the robotic blasting facility. Wagons that have been surface-cleaned are directed to the wagon repair factory for necessary repairs. Manual blasting operations that were previously performed have become faster and more efficient thanks to the newly established facility. Approximately 20 different wagon types have been introduced to the system, enabling blasting operations.

Disadvantages of manual blasting:

• Tiring nature and excessive physical effort required, • Exposure to noise, dust and physical strain, • Need for heavy, restrictive and protective clothing, • High likelihood of workplace accidents, • Causes production delays. The Robotic Blasting Facility eliminates these disadvantages and additionally: • The operator can control the entire process via SCADA from an ergonomically designed, air-conditioned and soundproof cabin. Therefore, the operator's working conditions are healthy. • Production time is fixed and does not depend on the operator, • The likelihood of workplace accidents is reduced to negligible levels. As a result, we continue to contribute to the national industry by increasing work efficiency through our environmental sensitivity and innovative solutions. Tuncay Dursun / Sales & Marketing Manager / VİG Makina