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Laser edge scale removal

Our Company e-coats all of its products and we are adding more and more products having components with plate steel ranging from 1/4" to 1". Much of the plate is laser profiled and we are presently hand debrading the scale from all of the plate edging , otherwise the e-coat will not adhere. We have quotes for custom shotblast equipment to semi-automate this labor intensive process but the equipment is extremely expensive and requires considerable floorspace. Two questions : (1) is there equipment available specifically designed to remove edge scale (we really don't need to shotblast the rest of the product) -or- (2) can this be done chemically in the pre-treat stages of the e-coat system without introducing a whole new set of EPA/OSHA nightmares in addition to what we already deal with? Thanks in advance for any ideas and suggested vendors.

James Moser
mfgr/e-coater - Council Bluffs, Iowa, USA
November 12, 2009

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It would be helpful to know the size of the parts and/or configuration when done. I have to assume that they are rather large and heavy. The next question I'd consider is volume. Other than blasting, you can consider an abrasive wheel system

AF Kenton
retired business owner - Hatboro, Pennsylvania
December 11, 2009