The delivery of the machine to SEMAT has reinforced Rösler’s expertise in handling complex blast-cleaning tasks and has paved the way for similar projects with other clients, showcasing the effectiveness of its innovative solutions in the RCV sector.
French manufacturer SEMAT SA, a subsidiary of the German Zoeller Group, has placed its trust in Rösler’s expertise for surface preparation of its refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) and street washers.
Founded in 1945 and headquartered in La Rochelle on France’s Atlantic coast, SEMAT recently unveiled a new production facility equipped with cutting-edge machinery. At the heart of the plant is a Rösler RHBD-T continuous feed spinner hanger blast machine, chosen to handle the company’s demanding surface-cleaning requirements.
The new building allows steel bodies for garbage trucks to be welded and prepared for coating. Surface preparation involves the removal of welding scale and rust – a process ideally suited to shot blasting. Given the sheer size of the components, with bodies measuring up to 6.5 metres high and 4 metres wide, SEMAT faced a particularly challenging project.
“After evaluating several options, we quickly determined that a continuous feed spinner hanger system offered the best solution. It enables rapid, efficient cleaning of large components while using relatively low energy. The vertical design, with components blasted upright, also saves a significant amount of floor space,” explains Ronny Paasche, global sales expert at Rösler.
Nine Gamma 400G turbines, mounted on one wall of the blast chamber, provide the necessary ‘firepower’ to remove tough rust and scale. The workpieces, rotating and oscillating during the process, receive uniform blast coverage. Despite their power, the turbines operate efficiently at just 11 kW each, while their high-speed acceleration ensures thorough cleaning. Typical cycle times of 10–15 minutes leave the truck bodies spotless, achieving a surface cleanliness of 2.5 SA and ready for painting.
A manual control system allows operators to select from around 30 different blast programmes, adapting time and intensity to the condition of each individual component. This ensures consistent, high-quality results even when surface conditions vary.
Economic and sustainable blasting relies on effective media recycling. The RHBD-T is equipped with a cascade air wash separator, which thoroughly cleans the blast media by removing debris and worn particles. Its extra-wide design ensures contaminants are reliably eliminated, reducing wear on the machine and workpieces while optimising media consumption. A flap screen, installed 10 metres above ground, automatically discharges foreign objects, further enhancing efficiency.
Dust extraction is equally critical. In SEMAT’s system, dust-laden air passes through a dropout box before reaching the collector, capturing intermediate-sized particles and prolonging filter life. This, together with a clean media return system, guarantees dust-free components ready for coating and maximises machine uptime.
Safety and ease of maintenance were key considerations. A media return hopper covered with a sturdy grate allows operators to safely remove residual media, while a built-in auger returns it to the recycling system. Many manufacturers still rely on manual blasting, a slow and physically demanding process with high energy use. The automated spinner hanger system offers far greater throughput, lower energy consumption, and consistent quality.
“Delivering this machine to SEMAT has strengthened our approach to challenging blast-cleaning tasks. It also helped secure similar projects with other customers, demonstrating the value of our innovative solutions in the RCV sector,” concludes Ronny Paasche.