Blastman Robotics ensures optimum production levels

In a surface treatment line, a robot blasts tiny steel particles against a rail car using 115 pounds per square inch of pressure with its two, three-quarter-inch nozzles.

Rust and mill scale are stripped off in less than 40 minutes, leaving the car thoroughly clean and ready for painting.

Abrasive blast-cleaning robot specialist Blastman Robotics is the company behind such a precision machine. At least eight of its robots are in operation at one of the world's largest rolling stock manufacturers in Canada.

Perttu Junnila, managing director of Blastman Robotics, has witnessed how the company's first robot prototype progressed to become the world's leading machine of its kind.

"Our technology is the result of more than 25 years of accumulated experience in designing and building these machines," Junnila says. "We have developed our robots to be flexible, safe and able to produce consistent quality over time."

Preparing the surface of metal parts for painting and further finishing, the Blastman robot follows a computer-memorised cleaning programme. With round-the-clock operations requiring minimal touch-up and fewer abrasives, Blastman Robotics has optimised the production lines of industries such as road and rail transport, foundries, wind energy and aerospace. Blastman Robotics also offers fully customised turnkey solutions, supplying all related equipment such as blast cleaning cabinets, air cleaners and transportation systems.