Safer grit blasting
February 1st 2007 A specially designed valve from Hodge Clemco is said to greatly increase the safety of grit blasting operations by reducing the time taken for equipment to depressurise when it is shut off. The company says that on standard grit blasting equipment there can be a significant delay between when the dead-man's handle is released and the system completely depressurising. During this time, operatives can be injured by undirected abrasive. The danger is increased when an extended length of hose is used between the nozzle and the blast pot, because of the volume of material in the hose. Hodge Clemco has developed a 'normally closed' pneumatic valve that fits over the blast hose close to the blasting nozzle. It requires a minimum of 4.5bar to open, and closes rapidly when the dead-man's handle is released. Air/ abrasive is said to stop on average in one-third of the normal time. More articles from Hodge Clemco: | 
