Low-dust abrasive

The sponge-coated media flattens on impact with the target surface, allowing the abrasive to perform the work required while the sponge absorbs the dust created.  It is particularly suitable for confined spaces and areas where uncontrolled dust causes problems. The company says dust is minimised, visibility for operators is improved and containment and extraction requirements are reduced.

Nine standard EnviraSponge grades are currently available, giving profiles on steel from 5 to 100 microns, and special grades can also be manufactured to order.  The material is propelled by special generators that are adjustable to suit the application, while used abrasive is recycled by re-graders that separate it into oversize, re-usable and spent material.  Depending on the application, media can typically be re-used between seven and ten times.

The six-figure-sum investment by Hodge Clemco has improved the speed and controllability of the production process, allowing 5t of the material to be produced per day at standard manning levels and working hours, with the option to move to 24h working as sales increase.  This flexibility recently allowed two large multi-tonne orders to be completed on short delivery schedules.