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PROJECT BACKGROUND
GATX’s Hearne facility required a modernized surface preparation solution to support exterior blasting of railcars while improving throughput, safety, and operational efficiency. Existing processes were labor-intensive and limited scalability, creating a need for automation without sacrificing flexibility or coating quality.
CHALLENGES
To meet production demands and long-term maintenance goals, GATX sought a blasting system capable of delivering consistent results, reduced downtime, and improved environmental performance.
SOLUTION
- 24’ x 33’ x 85’ Robotic Blast Booth
- Blastman B20S7 Robot
- 18’ x 24’ x 80’ Manual Blast Booth
- 25,000 CFM Dust Collector
- 10 CF Blast Pot x2
- Partial Floor recovery system with oscillating conveyor
- Manlifts x2
- Full floor abrasive recovery system
- 40,000 CFM Dust Collector
- 49 CF Capacity Dual Chamber Blast Pot x2
- Two Heavy-duty abrasive vacuum units for integrated cleanup capability for railcar interiors
RESULTS
- 75% reduction in man hours
- Productivity increased by 4x
- Improved abrasive recovery efficiency
- Lower operating and maintenance costs
- Enhanced safety and environmental compliancE
CONCLUSION
Through its partnership with BlastOne, GATX successfully deployed a future-ready blasting facility designed for performance, reliability, and scalability. Before automation, blasting a hopper car required roughly 60 labor hours. With the robotic blast booth in operation, that requirement dropped to approximately 15 hours—reducing labor by 75% while dramatically increasing throughput.
CASE STUDIES
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