In cooperation with Sinto AGTOS, a groundbreaking step into the future of surface treatment has been taken
To further optimize the process of surface treatment of bulk materials with blasting media, we have developed a completely new blasting system together with our long-standing partner Sinto AGTOS: The solution combines the innovative basket transport technology of WMV for cleaning systems with the comprehensive know-how of Sinto AGTOS in the development of blasting systems. The new blasting system with interchangeable basket makes the entire blasting process for bulk materials and small parts easier, more efficient, and more flexible—with less space requirements, lower unit costs, and improved quality. The entire process is fully automated. You can experience it live in the new WMV Research & Development Center.
“Our solution is unique on the market,” say Michael Kamp, Management Board Sales at WMV and Hermann Walkenhorst, Head of Sales at Sinto AGTOS. Together with their teams, they have rethought the concept of “blasting systems” in just under a year and developed it in a future-proof manner – completely away from trough belt technology and toward interchangeable basket technology. Our motivation: loading, transferring, and unloading during the integrating of trough belt systems into cleaning systems was very time-consuming and also inefficient in terms of handling. We wanted to simplify this process—no sooner said than done.
Our approach: avoiding transfer
“The constant moving of goods in and out at each cleaning step did not meet our requirements for efficient and economical processes,” says Kamp. That’s why we completely rethought the process—and simplified it. Our idea: to integrate the blasting system with the goods into a centrifugal basket to avoid constant transfer during the cleaning process.
“Due to the absence of transfer processes, part losses or batch contamination are almost eliminated. Transporting the basket across the plant saves space and time.”
Michael Kamp, Management Board Sales at WMV
Easier said than done. On the one hand, steel and stainless steel, which were used to manufacture the baskets in conventional cleaning systems, proved to be insufficiently resistant to the mechanical stress caused by the blasting media and the blasting process itself. Therefore, the materials used for the baskets, which are used for all processing steps, had to come from the blasting technology sector.
Transportation is handled by WMV’s innovative dynamic transport system: special grippers lift the basket into the blasting station, lift it again after the blasting process, and move it across the individual system modules to the next treatment station or to the unloading area.
Our solution: new material, new design
The basis for this was the Sinto AGTOS basket blasting machines, which have been tried and tested on the market for many years. To ensure that the new integrated blasting system can withstand the mechanical stresses of the entire cleaning process – from degreasing, washing, rinsing, and drying to blasting – in the long term, we decided on a highly wear-resistant material in partnership with our customers. The design of the blasting system was completely redeveloped by Sinto AGTOS. From the outset, our teamwork focused on reliably establishing the interaction between the basket used in all processes and the new blasting system in order to meet the high quality standards of surface treatment:
- robust, durable materials and design
- optimal positioning of the basket for fast basket handling
- different perforations on the baskets for fast drainage of the blasting media
- all components designed for reliable 24/7 continuous operation, as is standard with WMV and Sinto AGTOS
“Thanks to high-quality data, compatible interfaces, numerous pretests in our technical center, and regular personal exchanges, the design process ran smoothly and quickly from the very beginning.”
Hermann Walkenhorst, Head of Sales at Sinto AGTOS
The results: measurably convincing
In direct comparison to the process flow with a trough blasting machine, the integrated blasting system with interchangeable basket impresses with lower investment and operating costs and a reduced carbon footprint.
The advantages in figures:
- 35% faster throughput time: Thanks to faster basket handling, throughput time was reduced by up to 4 minutes – with 98% availability
- 15% faster blasting time
- 100% performance maintenance: Basket replacement takes place without any loss of production.
- 0% machine downtime for trough belt replacement: No time, costs, or personnel required for trough belt replacement.
- Up to 20% less space required: Replacement basket is transported via the blasting systems.
“Easy integration, faster processes, less space requirements, and improved component quality increase productivity and permanently reduce unit costs.”
Michael Kamp, Management Board Sales at WMV
Quality: free of residue and prepared for further processing
A positive side effect of the all-in-one basket solution: constant circulation in the centrifuge ensures that the components are mixed more thoroughly and that all contours are gently reached by the blast. Regardless of size and shape. We also took this into account during development: the cleaning system is designed for components of various geometries and sizes and can be flexibly adapted to changing requirements.
“The integrated blasting system with interchangeable basket is an investment in greater flexibility and thus into securing the future: all sizes can be handled on a single line. New products can be realized more quickly in the short or long term, and innovation processes can be scaled. Space requirements are reduced, and the product range is expanded.”
Hermann Walkenhorst, Head of Sales at Sinto AGTOS
Fully integrable: into the WMV modular system and Sinto AGTOS cleaning systems
Since both WMV and Sinto AGTOS specialize in developing cleaning systems that help our customers work even more efficiently and conserve resources, our latest innovation is naturally compatible with our existing surface treatment systems—and can be scaled up further. That goes without saying. Just like our drive to keep searching for solutions that enable our customers to shape the future.
Do you have any questions? We would be happy to give you a personal presentation of our integrated blasting system with interchangeable basket at the WMV Research & Development Center. Arrange your personal appointment with
Michael Kamp, Management Board Sales at WMV
About Sinto AGTOS
AGTOS specializes in high-precision wheel blast machines and customized blasting systems for surface treatment, offering solutions for derusting, paint removal, deburring, surface roughening, and shot peening (strengthening). Since the end of 2024, AGTOS has been operating as part of the international SINTOKOGIO Group (Sinto AGTOS GmbH). We have enjoyed a reliable partnership with Sinto AGTOS for over 15 years, successfully designing and implementing numerous projects in close cooperation. For more information, visit https://www.agtos.com/