Wheelabrator News

Faster blasting, less maintenance: equipment upgrade cuts Dalian Maruyuu’s shot blast cycle time by 40%

For almost 20 years, the foundry has relied on Wheelabrator’s hanger type (HT) shot blast machines for reliable and economical blast cleaning of castings. HT machines are the most flexible type of blast equipment, able to cope with small, medium and very large parts in batch or continuous operation. Dalian Maruyuu is using equipment modernisation programmes (EMPs) to bring the performance of its oldest HT machines in line with newer models.

Wheelabrator releases fourth digital tool

The tool, called “Machine Effectiveness”, was developed on the group’s equipment-agnostic IIoT platform, Monitizer.
Wheelabrator digital

Digital Solutions for Shot Blasting

Wheelabrator has launched a digital tool set to significantly reduce the amount of energy needed for high quality, highly productive shot blasting.

Refining the process: MAT Dalian creates superb automotive castings with DISA and Wheelabrator

MAT Dalian Auto Parts Co., Ltd. is a state-of-the-art foundry and machine shop run by MAT Foundry Group. It was purpose-built in 2012 on a 37,000 square metre site in the city of Dalian, in Liaoning Province, China. For more than 10 years, a two-line Complete Foundry solution from DISA and Wheelabrator’s CT3 shot blasting equipment has helped MAT Dalian deliver consistently excellent castings.

New Digital Tools

Three new digital tools from Wheelabrator tackle the major cost drivers of your blast process: abrasive consumption, energy use, as well as maintenance and downtime. Developed in conjunction with key pilot customers, they offer a sensible, flexible and future-proof route into digital blasting, with quick payback.

Keeping business running

We talk to Wheelabrator President, Erich Brunner, about business during the global pandemic

OEM parts V's cheaper alternatives

4 reasons why buying OEM rather than cheaper alternatives makes sense. Read more.

High performance relationship: Baoshan Iron & Steel adds two extra Wheelabrator HB strip descaling machines

Wheelabrator, part of Norican Group, is to supply two sets of double-blast-chamber HB strip descaling machines to Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd (“Bao Steel”), China’s largest steel manufacturer and a subsidiary of China Baowu Steel Group. The contract was signed on 8th November 2020 at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

Next-generation coil descaling for SeAH

SeAH CSS has ordered a new type of coil descaling machine, replacing chemical descaling processes. Across the SeAH family of companies there are already thirteen Wheelabrator descaling machines for wire and bar in operation.
AVK Polska

Big impact, surprisingly little effort

Blast wheel upgrades are one of the easiest ways of giving your blast operations a performance boost – and can be surprisingly cost-effective too. Find out what our expert - Uli has to say about getting a new set of wheels.
restarting your shot blast machine

Safely restart your shot blast machine

Some key checks to make when restarting your shot blast machine after longer pauses in production.

Wheelabrator at GIFA 2019

A new wheel, advanced simulation technology and equipment evolutions: Wheelabrator will be showcasing a suite of new blast machines and solutions at GIFA 2019.

New wire mesh belt blast machines

Wheelabrator has launched a new range of wire mesh belt shot blast machines for medium-duty applications.

New IDS machine for complex internal blasting

A sophisticated, modular machine type that blasts inside the most complex workpieces.

Casting light on aluminium matters

Aluminium is currently central to many quality, profitability and sustainability discussions and decisions affecting Norican foundry customers worldwide. We caught up with our aluminium experts to ask them about all things aluminium.
Equipment upgrade and optimisation

Maximising Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

This article shares insights from Norican’s customers and foundry owners who are yielding results and improving OEE with a strategic equipment management approach focussed on availability, performance and quality.

Eliminating bottlenecks at OmZM

One of the biggest roller conveyor blast machines offered by Wheelabrator has been supplied to the OmZM facility in Omsk, Russia to help eliminate bottlenecks. Since installation, the machine has increased output at the plant by 75%.

Special read Aluminium and innovation

The rapidly growing global market for complex aluminium castings requires aluminium-specific equipment. Find out how foundries prepare for an aluminium future in our special read article.

Blast power by the dozen for Giga Coating

Wheelabrator has supplied the Construction Blaster roller conveyor machine to clean, descale and derust up to three million square meters of extra-large fabricated HGV trailer parts per year for Giga Coating GmbH.

New HTS range - re-engineered and upgraded

New hanger-type blast machine from Wheelabrator features strip out costs while increasing efficiency.

Standard machine, outstanding performance

Aegis Rubber Engineering Ltd was so satisfied with its blast machine of 20 years, it opted for a direct replacement from Wheelabrator.

New LBS debuts at agricultural machinery manufacturer

Agricultural equipment manufacturer Amazone has purchased one of the first models of the new, lighter LBS mesh belt shot blast machines from Wheelabrator.

Slimmer, more powerful, designed for Al

Wheelabrator has launched a new compact blast machine, designed specifically for aluminium applications.

Interview: Inside the LaGrange Customer Application Lab

Meet the new man in charge of Wheelabrator’s Customer Application Lab - Scott Dabbs. Here we speak to him about the Customer Application Lab, what it does for customers and the benefits of visiting the facility.

2 week investment: 10 year return

2-week overhaul sets 23-year-old air blast machine up for another decade at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen.

Output boost at EURAC

Automotive brake discs producer - EURAC boosts blast capacity with third Wheelabrator machine.

A continuous blast machine for smaller foundries

Wheelabrator has launched a lighter, entry-level version of its established heavy-duty DT rocker barrel tumblast concept.

Light and flexible: new LBS Mesh Belt Blast Machine

Wheelabrator has launched a new, lighter version of its trusted LBS mesh belt shot blast machine range.

Webinar recap: Reducing Your Cost Per Part

Wheelabrator ‎teamed up with Modern Casting magazine to hold a webinar that shows blast machine users how to reduce their cost per part by minimising abrasive consumption.
Wheelabrator Lagrange

Wheelabrator Consolidates North American Operations

Wheelabrator Group consolidates NA operations, and expands Georgia hub.

GoSun adds 328kW Blast Power

GoSun adds 328kW blast power to its descaling operations - with three new Wheelabrator FL Wire and Bar Descaling shot blast machines.

The Golden Triangle of Global Testing

Wheelabrator’s trio of global test centres in Switzerland, Germany and the US ensure they keep customers at the leading edge of innovation. Here’s a round-up of testing specialisms and some cool equipment.
EZX Blast Wheel

Introducing the EZX Blast Wheel

Our brand new blast wheel is now available – introducing the new EZX. Incorporating all the best features of EZEFIT, the EZX offers significant performance improvements.

Fab Four at FABTECH 2017

FABTECH 2017 visitors exclusively previewed four new Wheelabrator technologies and solutions at the show in November. Read on for more details of these imminently launching innovations.

When Wheelabrator Does Big

Wheelabrator machines are rarely considered light and slender, but have you ever wondered how big our biggest blast machine might be?

A New Test Machine for Zurich

The Wheelabrator Centre for Product Innovation in Zurich has expanded capabilities at its test centre by designing and delivering a highly flexible new blast machine for its own advanced customer testing.

Dealing with water-damaged equipment

Water damage to machinery is a major challenge in getting operations going again. Wheelabrator advises what to do if your shot blast equipment is affected.

A match for your C3

A perfect match for your DISAMATIC C3 - blast equipment that keeps up.

The Magnificent Seven at Marcegaglia

Italian steel giant goes all Wheelabrator with descaling operations.
Roll Conveyor

The magic of modular

Modular design is making a comeback as customers look for innovative ways to help them maintain their machines or bring them up to date as efficiently as possible.

Sharing peening insight in Montreal

We’re talking aerospace peening and engaging with industrial scientists and academics at the International Conference on Shot Peening 2017 in Montreal on 18-21 September.
Pass-through monorail (DHB) blast machine

A tight squeeze at carmaker

Tight squeeze: blast machine for carmaker fits performance, process control and automation into snug space.
Wheelabrator Zürich test centre

Closer to the action

Our wheel blast test centre in Switzerland has moved closer to the action. The new facility is only a short bike ride away from our main offices in Zurich.
Hannover Industry 4.0

Exploring Industry 4.0 in Hanover

In a brief recap of Hannover Messe International, Heike Kramer shares her impressions from the world’s largest industrial fair. The theme this year: Industry 4.0.
ISO Certification

Wheelabrator upgrades to latest ISO 9001

Three Wheelabrator locations have passed their quality management certification to the ISO 9001:2015 standard well ahead of a 3-year deadline.
Opel Gear Sticks

Opel's Gear Stacks

Wheelabrator in Metelen, Germany, has delivered a satellite turntable (SDT) blast machine for Opel Austria’s engine and gearbox manufacturing facility.

Wheelabrator symposium in Pune India

Wheelabrator symposium on “Surface Preparation Solutions”: 21st June 2017, Pune
EZEFIT Blast Wheel

EZEFIT upgrade boosts lifespan of wheel parts

American Axle & Manufacturing has seen a 300% increase in the lifespan of wear parts in its tumblast machines after fitting a new blast wheel.
Wheelabrator team from Metelen

Metelen team certified for safety

The Wheelabrator team in Metelen, Germany, has received a seal of approval for its safety processes and culture.
Hay Speed Tumblast Machine

Equipment upgrade x3 at Hay Speed

A global automotive supplier lowers cost per part with our Equipment Modernisation Program (EMP).

Oil & Gas makes a comeback

A conclusion made following the FABTECH 2017 exhibition - the largest and fastest growing metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event in Mexico.

The most beautiful foundry

Sakthi Portugal’s SP21 foundry in Águeda opened its doors in February and we are proud to have played our humble part in this ambitious venture.

Improved Cycle Times & Downtime

Brake disc manufacturer, Tisamatic, benefits from CT machine upgrade
LMCS Group

LMCS Acquisition

Norican Group enters into binding agreement to purchase Light Metal Casting Solutions Group
SIIM

Foundry Lowers Cost Per Casting

New CT machine at Guido Glisenti improves energy efficiency, process control, maintenance- and cycle times.
FABTECH 2016

Latest equipment innovations unveiled at FABTECH 2016

Among the latest equipment innovations discussed at this year’s event was the SpinTrac range – a new and improved version of one of our most popular designs.
COMET HD Blast Wheel

Awards recognition for COMET HD

The new COMET HD blast wheel has been recognized by leading industry names after being shortlisted for BEEA and IET awards.
EUROBLECH 2016

The world meets in Hanover – to talk sheet metal

EuroBLECH 2016 - a show that was all about quality, partnerships and connecting with a truly global industry audience.
Stress Peening

Stress peening machine gives automotive manufacturer an efficiency boost

A leading manufacturer of automotive springs and stabilizers has invested in its first SRS-4 stress peening machine to achieve the highest production quality.
Wire China 2016

Latest machine concepts uncovered at Wire China 2016

The biggest event of its kind in Asia, Wire China was the perfect opportunity to showcase our latest wire, rod and spring wheelblast equipment and spring peening machines.
Wheelabrator Event Stand

Record numbers at FUNDIEXPO 2016

Equipment modernization was top of the list for many companies visiting FUNDIEXPO - one of the most important foundry exhibitions in Latin America.
Railway Industry

Small changes, big savings for steel goods manufacturer

A North American producer of forged steel wheels and axles for the rail industry has realized a saving of $86,000 over only 10 months thanks to Wheelabrator Plus.
Aerospace

Trends and challenges in aerospace manufacturing

Peening specs haven’t changed but customer knowledge has. And who is better to advise on the evolving peening challenges than our own aerospace expert Ron Wright?

We’ve expanded our CT tumblast machine range

The new model is extremely cost effective and offers continuous, automated and flexible blast cleaning of tumble-proof parts, such as castings and forgings.

Our first ever 5-module strip descaling machine

To ensure efficient descaling at high through-feed speeds of up to 151 m/min, we connected five blast chambers, each with four powerful U105x500 blast wheels.
Wire Rod Machine

High speed wire descaling and peening

Our Wire Rod machines are designed to concentrate the blast descaling energy onto the workpiece using the latest technology and can be adjusted to suit individual workpiece diameters.

Upgrades create two 'new' machines

A major supplier of parts to the automotive industry, has reduced downtime at its forge through a complete overhaul of two Tilghman Tumblast machines.

A new Complete Foundry solution for Gem-Year

DISA and Wheelabrator are set to supply a Complete Foundry solution to Gem-Year, China’s leading manufacturer of fasteners.
Structural Steel Machines

Discover our plate and structural steel machines

Based on a roller conveyor wheelblast design and specifically developed to meet the needs of the fabrication industry, our Plate and Structural Steel Machines are designed to descale and remove rust.

Lower your costs per part: COMET HD is here

The new wheel achieves a clearly defined, even blast pattern and higher peak blast intensities at reduced abrasive flow rates.
Scania Ferruform

Blasting Scania Ferruform into top gear

Scania Ferruform, manufacturer of components for Scania trucks, buses and engines, has commissioned Wheelabrator to modernise and upgrade a vital blast machine used for descaling.
EMP at Winhere

EMP - maximizing on investment, adapting for higher outputs

An equipment upgrade carried out over a 48-hour holiday shut-down has enabled Winhere Auto-Part Manufacturing Co. Ltd to instantly deliver against increased output targets.
Safran Landing Systems

Safran Landing Systems visit their new machine

The machine will shot peen aircraft landing gear parts at Safran’s facility in UK, specifically for the fatigue enhancement of bogie beams for large passenger jets.