What is the APB Aluminum Profile Blaster and how does it work?

The APB is a tunnel roller conveyor cabin blaster specifically designed for aluminum profiles. Profiles are loaded onto a roller conveyor and pass through a tunnel cabin where 4 blastwheels — positioned and optimized over years of field experience — ensure complete coverage with no shadow zones. A tilting system at the exit lifts the profiles to remove all residual media and recover it back into the machine. The process is fully automatic once the program is set and the line is fed.

What are the production capacity and profile dimensions of the APB?

The APB is available in two standard models. The 40/20 model handles profiles up to 400mm x 200mm (15.7 x 7.9 inches) with a production capacity of 500 kg/h (1,102 lbs/h). The 80/30 model handles profiles up to 800mm x 300mm (31.5 x 11.8 inches) with a production capacity of 1,500 kg/h (3,307 lbs/h). Capacity values are based on linear profiles at approximately 0.8 kg/meter. The 40/20 scales down proportionally from the 80/30 specifications.

What are the blastwheel and media specifications of the APB?

The APB 80/30 is equipped with 4 blastwheels at 20hp each, for a total media flow of approximately 550 kg/minute. Media used is stainless steel shot with a featured size mix specifically selected for aluminum profiles — to ensure effective extrusion lines removal, paint stripping, and anodized layer stripping without damaging the profile geometry. Advancement speed is controlled by drives to maximize throughput while avoiding bottlenecks.

What applications is the APB designed for?

The APB is designed and built exclusively for the aluminum profiles industry. Primary applications are extrusion lines removal before anodizing or powder coating, paint stripping for profile refurbishment, and anodized layer stripping for reprocessing. Once programs are set, the machine performs all three tasks continuously using the same equipment — switching between applications requires only a program recall, not a media or setup change.

Is the APB blasting process environmentally sustainable?

Wheel blasting is a dry mechanical process — no water, no chemicals, no liquid waste. The stainless steel media used in the APB is fully recovered by the tilting system and recirculated inside the machine, generating no process effluent. The only waste stream is the fine dust collected by the built-in filter, classified as dry solid waste and significantly easier to manage than the chemical sludge produced by wet etching or chemical stripping processes. In plants where the APB replaces chemical pre-treatment before anodizing, it reduces chemical consumption and associated disposal costs by up to 90%.

What are the limitations of the APB?

The APB has two main operational constraints. First, the dust generated by the process is flammable — filter position must be planned accordingly and a Dust SuperHighway extraction system is strongly recommended. Second, the machine has a minimum profile length of approximately 1 meter. Shorter parts require a dedicated frame to be processed. These constraints are specific to aluminum profile blasting and are standard considerations in APB installation planning.

Can the APB be integrated into an automated production line?

Yes. The APB control system uses Siemens as standard for CPU, HMI, and drives, with an Allen Bradley version available. It supports automatic media gate control and one-button recall of preprogrammed blasting setups including advancement speed. If the plant uses a barcode system to track production slots, it can be integrated to upload the correct blasting program automatically for each batch. Loading and unloading automation is available on request for fully unmanned operation.

APB - Aluminum Profile Blaster.

Silvio Ruiu
Mar 11
2 min read

APB Layout Features.

This equipment is a tunnel-roller-conveyored cabin blaster, specifically designed for aluminum profiles popular in architectural - but not only - applications. It works with a very fine mix of different sizes steel shot media. The cabin has 4 blastwheels, their position has been optimized during the the years to guarantee perfect coverage and avoid any shadows. The equipment is completed by a tilting system, where profiles are lifted to remove all the media and recover it back to the machine. Production capacity is massive if the system is correctly fed.

Aluminum Profile Blaster in Operation.

APB production features.

L x H mm	kg/h	Model	lbs/h	L x H in.
400 x 200	500	40/20	1,102	15.7 x 7.9
800 x 300	1500	80/30	3,307	31.5 x 11.8

weight values for linear profile about 0.8 kg/meter, tunnel dimensions as per pattern⬇️

Media Pattern with L - H explained.

Main technical notes refer to the 80/30; the 40/20 scales down.

blastwheel: 4 units 20hp each, total media flow is about 550 kg/min.
Media: stainless steel shot with a dedicated size mix.
Advancement: controlled by drives to ensure the highest speed while avoiding bottlenecks.
Tilting system: needed to remove all media from profiles and recover it to the cabin.
Filter: built-in unit sized to the cabin, compliant with ATEX/NEC standards.
Automation Control: Siemens standard for CPU, HMI and drives, Allen Bradley version available; automatic media gate control to use preprogrammed blasting/peening setups by one-button recall from the operator; it controls the advancement speed too.
Layout & Footprint: Detailed 2D/3D drawings and DWG footprints are available upon request.

Pros: it is a unit designed and built to accomplish one task only, blast aluminum profiles, every detail serves this task, whether it is extrusion line removal, paint stripping, or anodized layer stripping. When programs are set it does the job continuously, and thanks to the size/hardness of the media there is virtually "no wear" and a very long lifetime.

Cons: waste is flammable and needs to be handled accordingly; filter position should be decided keeping this in mind — the Dust SuperHighway is highly recommended. It has a minimum length for the profiles it can process (about 1 meter); shorter parts need a frame to be blasted.

Boosters: if the plant is using a bar code system to track production slots, it can be integrated to upload blasting program accordingly and automatically, he loading/unloading system can be integrated to make it work automatically without human intervention.

Application: this equipment is designed and built for aluminum profiles industry, full analysis here. Economic case here..

Below, a video of this type of unit in operation:

https://youtu.be/9gJc2G7GhzA

Downloadable Tech Specs APB Blaster memo:

To discuss features and all the details, book a call:

https://calendar.app.google/iXodWhTWPvuHxhJD8

All dimensions and information stated here are for informative purpose only and subject to change without notice. Please refer to drawings and specs attached to your own quote.

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APB - Aluminum Profile Blaster.

APB Layout Features.

APB production features.

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Beyond Surface Treatment, Surface Engineering.

APB Layout Features.

APB production features.

Beyond
Surface Treatment,
Surface Engineering.