Choosing the Right Auger Configuration for Your Blast Room
Ideal for dense or coarse media, such as steel grit or shot, Mechanical Reclaim Systems are so named because the media is manually carried by a bucket elevator to the rotary drum separator/airwash cleaner at the top – versus being vacuumed.
The most basic configuration consists of placing the bucket elevator and hopper in a small pit in the floor. Media is then swept or shoveled into the pit. To move media more efficiently, or for larger blasting operations, in-floor auger systems are added.
Single Screw Configuration
A basic configuration, the auger and trough are installed across the back of the blast room. The trough extends approximately three feet from the enclosure wall and a grate is placed over it for safety.
Media is easily pushed against the back wall, where it’s moved by the auger to the pit / bucket elevator.
Benefits:
- Ideal for low to medium production environments
Be sure to read our related post: Installation Considerations for an Auger and Bucket Elevator Media Reclaim System.
H Configuration
The H configuration is ideal for longer rooms where the item being blasted is positioned between the two screws, which are located along each side of the enclosure. Blast media rebounds off the walls and falls into the screws; any remaining media is easily swept into the augers.
The side augers are used only to convey the media to the cross auger (or horizontal section of the H), which is deeper than the side augers and is connected to the elevator. To protect it, and to allow forklifts or other vehicles to drive over, it’s covered by a steel plate.
Benefits:
- Minimizes sweeping or shoveling
- Augers capture up to 90% of blasted media
- Used for rooms with drive-through doors on each end
- Ideal for mid- to high-production environments
U Configuration
This configuration works similarly to the H configuration, except the cross piece, or bottom of the U, is set at the back of the room. This system is ideal for rooms with a single door at one end.
Benefits:
- Minimizes sweeping or shoveling
- Augers capture up to 90% of blasted media
- Used for rooms with a single door at one end
- Ideal for mid- to high-production environments
Full Floor Configuration
For this configuration, the entire floor is reclaiming media. The system, which is fully automated, is ideal for extremely high-volume production environments.
Material handling can be managed in several ways: by a work car/track system, overhead crane, or heavy-duty floor grating with structural steel supports.
Benefits:
- Eliminates shoveling or sweeping, freeing up manpower
- Augers capture 100% of blasted media
- Ideal for very high-production environments
Let Titan recommend the best configuration for you
When you inquire about a custom blast room from Titan, our engineering department will ask about your blast room location, application, and any challenges you want solved.
We’ll then recommend the best media reclaim system (mechanical or vacuum) based on your needs and budget. If you decide on a mechanical system, and decide you’d like an auger, we can design and build the perfect system for you.
