By Media Blast®
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100% Welded:
Often times less expensive machines are spot-welded using lighter gauge steel in the cabinet construction. All Media Blast machines, even the smallest, are 100% welded using 12- & 14-gauge steel for the construction of the machines. This prevents cabinet leakage during machine operation making for a more desirable machine construction.
3-Way Pot Control:
Media Blast designed a system to permit single valve operation of the pressure pot assembly. Open the valve to pressurize the pot and start blasting when the foot pedal is activated. Close the valve to depressurize the pot permitting it to refill. One valve does it all on most CrystalBlast models.
3.5 Cubic Foot Pressure Pot:
This pot size is used for long pressure machine cycle time. Often used as the optional pot size when running a pneumatic conveyor.
A
Abrasive Gun Oscillator:
The feasible number of guns used in one cabinet is determined by the abrasive type and the part shape. Too many guns will create very high machine maintenance and operating cost. Gun oscillators are used to cover a wide area but, keep in mind, gun overlap is required, and this overlap reduces conveyor speed. Many different types of oscillators are used with special machines.
Abrasive Hopper Tuner Valve:
All machines that include the pneumatic conveyor include an outside abrasive storage hopper. Because the pneumatic conveyor must handle all the abrasive each time it exits the blast nozzle, it must be nearly 100% efficient. This can often retain dust that can affect cabinet visibility. The tuner valve is set by the customer to eliminate unwanted fine dust during abrasive conveyor operation. Elimination of the finer dust will help with cabinet visibility.
Abrasive Mixing Valve:
The abrasive mixing valve is used to meter and control the amount of abrasive entering the abrasive delivery hose. A properly adjusted abrasive mixing valve helps to eliminate all abrasive delivery surges and it also allows for re-adjustment of flow when changing abrasive sizes. Blasting machines are not capable of the fine adjustment required, for the wide variety of abrasive sizes available in the industry today unless, they have a quality mixing valve.
Abrasive Separator or Separator Reclaimer:
A separator reclaimer is used to remove the dust and spent abrasive from the abrasive being recycled. This allows more air changes inside the cabinet to increase cabinet visibility. Separator reclaimers are pneumatic centrifugal in design and have no moving parts.
Access Port:
Pressure pots are used to pneumatically push the abrasive to the blast nozzle. Access ports are use to drain and clean the abrasive when abrasive change is required. Without the access port it’s almost impossible to clean wet or nested abrasive from inside the pot without pot removal.
Additional Abrasive Gun with Controls:
Two operator station machines often require a second blasting gun assembly, this is normally used with siphon type machines. Includes the gun, hoses, mixing valve, air controls and foot operated blast control.
Additional Side Access Door:
Media Blast has always used a single door on the right size of the blasting cabinets 48 inches and narrower. One good door is worth two bad leaking doors. Most of the blasting is done from operator right to left. A door on the left size can lose the seal in the first few months.
Aerate:
Many fine and ultra-fine abrasive must be aerated for proper flow to the gun or nozzle.
Air Inlet Block Off Plates:
Used to close the blast machine air inlet filters when using part entrance and exit vestibules.
Air Regulator/Filter Water Trap:
Any application requiring precise control during the blasting process requires precise control of the compressed air and these controls make it possible to do so. In addition, they ensure the compressed air is moisture free.
Ambient Air Dryer:
Moisture in the compressed air supply causes abrasive flow problems and dust collector filter problems. MBA's unique optional inline ambient air dryer requires no floor space and mounts directly onto the blast cabinet.
ASME Code:
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers Code meets city and state requirements for most commercial and industrial installations. Each unit is built, inspected and tested to meet rigid standards adopted by ASME and inspected by independent sources. Less costly pressure vessels have no such rating.
Automatic Vibrator Timed Cleaning Cycle:
Add this option to any standard industrial machine and when the machine is turned off the adjustable timed cleaning cycle cleans the dust collector and turn off ready for the next operation or operator.
B
Bar Grating:
Grating material is often used because of its ability to span large unsupported distances in large abrasive blasting cabinets, or often used when high wear abrasive applications are present.
Barrel Reclaim Separator:
This option is available with the pneumatic abrasive conveyor in lieu of the high efficiency cyclone separator reclaimer that is used with the finer abrasives. It is used for applications that require conveying the abrasive outside the blast cabinet when the abrasive size is large, 60-120 mesh. This option will increase the life of the separator when used with larger cutting abrasives.
Batch Loads:
Is a term used to describe small parts processing without operator contact. Batch loads are processed using a rotating basket or barrel assembly. As the barrel or basket spins, random part mixing takes place inside the barrel or basket, this, coupled with a fixed gun directional blast pattern, processes parts in a given time period without the need for a machine operator.
Belt-Conveyors:
Parts can be passed through cabinets using many different belt types - link belts and flat belts being the most common. Multiple gun stations are used both fixed and oscillating to cover the part moving on the belt assembly.
Blow-Down Controls:
The Blow-Down Controls option allows for the quick depressurization of the blasting pressure pot, which permits faster pot re-fill. The smaller the blasting pot the more beneficial the blow-down controls are in keeping the pressure pot filled.
Blow-Off Gun:
All production cabinets manufactured by Media Blast include the inside cabinet blow-off gun assembly. This feature is also available as an option on the Light Duty and General Purpose blasting cabinets.
Boron Carbide:
A material used for blast nozzles when a cutting abrasive is used. Boron Carbide will outlast tungsten carbide 6-8 times with only triple the cost.
Brown Fused Aluminum Oxide:
Cutting abrasive 9.0 hardness on the Moh's Scale of mineral hardness, diamond equals 10. Particle for the most part retains size and dulls out, losing its cutting ability and reducing cleaning speed.
C
Cartridge Filter:
Unlike other filtering materials used in dust collectors, "cloth", the filter cartridge has a certified almost HEPA quality in a cleanable design. Known for their large dust storage capacity with small footprint, cartridge filters can include a semi-automatic cleaning cycle or effortless cleaning.
Cartridge Style Shop Vacuum:
All shop vacuums are not created equal! Since price is not the issue, look to the performance of the vacuum. Filter collection surface area is greater when you choose one with the filter cartridge. This permits longer operation before filter cleaning. Look for the unit with the largest blower cfm rating. The normal cfm range is 80-150 cfm, 150 cfm being best. Media Blast offers the VAC-110 with 110 square feet of cartridge filter surface area while most shop vacuums only include about 10 square feet of cartridge filter area.
Certified Cartridge:
Because cloth is flexible and has no certified filter test, filter cartridges are more efficient. Cartridge filter are ridgid and the efficiency is measure using a MERV testing procedure. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, and is a measurement scale designed in 1987 by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to rate the effectiveness of air filters.
Certified HEPA After Filter:
Media Blast offers a negative pressure certified HEPA after filter package. This can be used to increase the efficiency of the dust collector and often used for cell machine operation. HEPA after filer and HEPA filtration are different, call for details about the option.
Class III Blower:
Blowers range from Class I (floor fan) to Class IV (vacuum blower) the higher the class the lower the air volume. Class III are used for dust collectors.
Clear-View Window:
Media Blast offers two different Clear-View window types, both molded window with positive seal and bladder seal for quick window replacement. Both windows are 24" x 13-1/2" for a large field of view.
Clearview Window Sweep:
Air inlet locations and direction are used to reduce the dust build-up on the inside view window surface.
Constant Pressure Pot Controls:
This option allows the operator to pressurize the pressure pot and open the pot with the control circuit when the pot is empty. Normally used with larger pot sizes.
Contained Dust Discharge Assembly:
MBA expands upon its popular hopper style dust collector by offering a contained dust discharge assembly (standard with HEPA filtration). This assembly incorporates a slide gate on the bottom of the dust collector hopper. When the slide gate is opened, the dust is released through a duct and into a dust collection vessel. When the dust collection vessel is lined with a bag, the vessel top can be removed and the contents disposed of without the operator ever being exposed to the dust. This option is highly recommended for operations blasting with hazardous abrasives or blasting on materials that may release hazardous material dust. Slide gates and taller hopper heights are available to accommodate drum waste disposal. Dust collection systems are also available to accommodate the use of a full size steel drum.
Cutting Abrasive Package:
This should be included on machines operating with high wear or cutting abrasives. The package consists of a window protector, boron carbide nozzle, white polyethylene cabinet wear plates, heavy-duty bar style work grates and a steel hopper wear plate. Certain MBA machine models include some of these items as standard features.
Cyclone:
Is a pneumatic centrifuge used to separate and retain abrasive sizes that are 150 mesh and smaller. Cyclone Separators also introduce air into the abrasive which helps to keep the abrasive dry. This creates a more uniform delivery of the finer size abrasives.
D
Direct Pressure:
Direct Pressure machines use a pressure vessel to pneumatically push the blast media through a single abrasive hose and out the blast nozzle. Direct Pressure machine are capable of operation with heavy abrasive, steel shot or steel grit, in addition to most other abrasive blast types and sizes. Machine cfm usage is regulated by the nozzle orifice size and all direct pressure machines are capable of producing faster abrasive particle speeds.
Directional Blasting:
Is a term used to describe abrasive blast machinery equipped with handheld or fixture mounted blast guns. This allows for specific part areas to be processed and prevents the blasting of areas on the part that you do not want processed. Operation of the blasting is accomplished by using compressed air to convey the abrasive media through the gun or guns to the part surface.
Double Skinned No Spill Access Door:
MBA uses a heavy duty latch mounted to a double wall, 14-gauge steel door. Our doors will not warp or flex and our cabinets do not leak abrasive when the doors are opened.
Downdraft:
Is a term used to describe the direction and speed of air flow. Downdraft is frequently used to describe the speed of air, just above the work surface, of a pollution control workbench.
Dust Bag:
Sandblasting cabinets started with tubular dust bags, advanced to envelope dust bags and currently the most advanced type of filter is cartridge. Light Duty machines are still available with the economical tubular dust bag to lower cost.
E
Enclosed Top:
All Tornado models are available with an optional Enclosed Top Assembly upgrade, which is used to help confine dust particles with increased dust particle velocity. This top assembly includes the back, sides, top and movable operator view panel. The standard panel is constructed using a hinged Plexiglas panel and an operator open work port area is located below the operator sight panel. This panel is also available in optional safety-glass construction to eliminate possible scratching. The Enclosed Top is used to confine dust particles being accelerated during sanding, de-burring and many other operations.
Ergonomic Sit Down:
Designed into some models and optional on others, this option allows the operator to control the machine while seated and also includes other items to eliminate operator fatigue.
Ergonomically Constructed Cabinet:
Ergo can be more than just sitting down. Cleaning the dust collector, setting the controls and movable foot controls are also part of properly designed cabinets. Ask Media Blast about all the features that create a True Ergo machine.
Exhaust Blower:
In Blasting Cabinets:
The machine exhaust blower is used to create cabinet visibility. It is a necessary component for the efficient operation of abrasive separator reclaimers. Separator reclaimers remove unwanted dust and spent abrasive from inside the cabinet. To establish the number of cabinet air changes per minute made possible by the exhaust blower, take the cabinet blast chamber area in cubic feet and divide it into the exhaust blower CFM rating. Exclude the machine hopper size when calculating the cabinet volume.
In Tornado Pollution Control Benches:
Important to any down-draft work bench, is the type of blower being used. The exhaust blower creates the down-draft air-flow used to capture the dust and contamination and the blower construction type, determines the suction rating measured in Static Pressure, a measurement of inches of water lift. A critical balance is needed between suction and air volume, and Media Blast manufactures all of its blowers based on these two very important factors.
Exhaust Blower Silencer:
The Exhaust Silencer is used to reduce the noise level that is created by all Class III dust collector exhaust blowers. Larger blowers are used to create better cabinet visibility but, they also create noise levels that are unacceptable for continuous machine operation.
Exhaust Blower Super Silencer:
Often a facility will have sound rules lower than OSHA. The standard machine silencer supplied lowers the blower noise level below 80 decibels. The super silencer lowers another 6-8 decibels. Silencers are room construction sensitive and may produce different results.
Expanded Cabinet Height:
MBA offers two cabinet heights on the most popular cabinet sizes (3636, 4836). Our standard height production blast cabinet has a 30" working height and a view window angle of 45°. This allows for the ergonomic blasting of smaller parts without having to put your nose against the view window while working. Our expanded height cabinet offers 36" of working height with a view window angle of 17°. This window angle is more efficient for taller parts that won't fit in the standard height cabinet. If the normal cabinet heights will not suffice, MBA offers extended heights as optional choices.
Expanded Dual Cartridge Dust Collector:
This is an option on some machines and comes standard on others. The expanded dual cartridge dust collector provides more filter surface area (440 sq. ft.) when dusty abrasives are used or when the cabinet usage is more than three hours per day.
F
Feeder Boot:
All Industrial siphon blasting cabinet include the vertical feeder boot to act as a sump for supply of the media to the abrasive mixing valve.
Fiberglass Bar Grates:
Often used with the Tornado Down Draft Work Bench to prevent metal grates from damaging the part.
Filter Cycle Cleaning Gauge:
This feature is standard on all MBA production cabinets but is not offered by other manufacturers. Clean filters are an important part of the maintenance process. Neglect, will result in significant repair costs and lower productivity (due to poor visibility), so it is critical to know when to change the filters. The MBA filter cycle cleaning gauge helps to remind the operator when critical maintenance is due.
Fine or Ultra-Fine Abrasive:
Any material pneumatically propelled through a blast nozzle is commonly known as abrasive or blasting media. Fine and Ultra Fine abrasives measure 150-325 mesh in abrasive particle size.
Fixed Turntable:
Heavy or awkward parts can be moved much easier inside a blast cabinet when it is equipped with a turntable. The turntable can increase productivity significantly. Choose from manual or powered turntable models available in many sizes (up to 48" diameter) with a standard weight capacity of 300 pounds (heavier capacities are available). The frame to hold the turntable is mounted inside the machine and the turntable top rides and rotates 360 degrees on a series of double sealed bearings. All MBA turntables are slotted to allow for the use of part holding fixtures and they are equipped to lock in position if desired. See Mobile Work Carts for turntables exiting the cabinet.
Flexible Micro Abrasive Hose:
Detailed work is impossible to do using large unruly blast hose. Media Blast has installed a special long wear hose with an outside diameter of only 3/8” and calls this assembly the flexible whip hose assembly. Great of jobs that require exact detail and control.
Flexible Pot Valve:
This permits low pressure On-Off blasting without pot valve leakage. Critical for low pressure blasting and half tone processing in the sandcarving industry.
Flexible Whip Hose:
Smaller more flexible direct pressure hose used inside the cabinet for operator mobility.
Foot Operated Blast Valve:
A foot operated blast control gives the machine operator maximum mobility inside the blast cabinet allowing the operator to move from side to side. This is important when operating inside smaller cabinet sizes. This also creates a smaller, more compact, easy to use blast gun size. Trigger controlled guns are large and troublesome to operate when installed inside a blast cabinet.
Frictional Heat:
Dry abrasive blasting generates surface heat on the part that is being processed. This frictional heat, can damage thin parts or parts made of certain materials such as plastics or composites. Frictional heat increases when the compressed air being used is increased and this is the single most important factor in reducing part-processing time when using larger gun sizes.
G
General Purpose:
A term used to describe a "hybrid" mix of light duty and production machinery. The cabinet is large but the dust collector capacity is limited. General Purpose or non-production machines are ideal for infrequent use on larger parts.
Gun/Blast Nozzle Holding Fixture:
This feature, allows the operator, to hold and maneuver the part to be blasted with both hands because, the blast nozzle is fixed in position. This option is recommended for operations that blast small or difficult to hold parts.
H
H.D. Kit:
All Media Blast Light Duty models include the HD Kit except the Hobby Blaster. The Space Saver HD includes this HD Kit which produces 30 air changes per minute by using a separator reclaimer that removes the dust and dirt from the abrasive.
Hazardous Duty Dust Collector:
Media Blast manufactures the Haz-Mat HEPA after filter package for reduced maintenance contact with collected dust. The standard dust collector requires that the operator come in contact with Primary Filters during filter replacement.
HEPA Filter:
HEPA is an acronym for High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter, which was used in U.S. military specifications beginning around World War II. HEPA Filtration uses a certified HEPA filter that must operate at a specific Static and airflow through the filter to maintain HEPA Filtration definition.
HEPA Filter, Certified:
High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) a filter that must satisfy certain standards of efficiency such as those set by the United States Department of Energy for 99.97% on 0.3 micron filter.
High Velocity Part Vestibule:
Passing a part through a blasting cabinet requires passing the part through a high-velocity vestibule with vestibule length to retain the abrasive inside the cabinet. This vestibule length with the cfm created by the dust collector blower is used to reverse abrasive direction and prevent abrasive escape. Unless this is calculated correctly the machine will not function properly.
High Wear Cabinet Kits:
With any cutting abrasive some features are required to prevent excessive machine maintenance. Window Protectors, HD Bar Grating, Boron Nozzles and Liners are all items that greatly reduce operation costs. This can also lesson maintenance on non-cutting abrasives but are not often included as standard.
Hopper Bottom Dust Storage:
For ease of cleaning always look for machinery using a hopper bottom dust collector. All Production type machines manufactured by Media Blast are equipped with dust collector dust storage hoppers. This allows removal of collected dust into plastic storage bags preventing unwanted dust escape during machine service.
Hopper-Less Machine Construction:
Media Blast offers air-swept floor sections to eliminate the height of standard machine construction using a hopper assembly. The width and depth of any cabinet with the angle of repose for the abrasive designs the hopper slope. Most operator work levels are 36-inches and higher. Hopper-Less construction lowers the work level to 18-inches. This can be useful for tall parts or parts passing through using an overhead hoist.
I
Injector Gun:
All siphon blast machines use an injector gun to siphon the abrasive from the machine hopper to the gun assembly where the air jet accelerates the blasting grain.
Integrated Vacuum Clean Up Assembly:
MBA is the only manufacturer in the industry that offers this unique option. We convert the dust collector into a shop vacuum that can be used for cleaning up the work area around the cabinet and cleaning the abrasive out of the blast cabinet. This option requires a minimum of the dual cartridge dust collector and the 1,160 CFM exhaust blower.
L
Laminated Safety Glass:
Two separate pieces of glass bonded together with a plastic sheet to prevent glass shards if the glass is broken.
Less Dust Collector:
Production machines often need a stand alone dust collector and Media Blast offers all production units less dust collector and offers the stand alone central dust collectors for high machine duty cycles. Sometimes you can't attach enough dust collator for the application.
Light Duty Cabinet:
Light duty, describes machinery used on a non-daily basis. One feature missing from light duty machinery is the production style dust collector with the large filter surface area. Light duty machines are the least costly to purchase and usually have cabinets measuring 24 inches by 24, 30 or 36 inches. These cabinets are generally manufactured using spot welded construction, however, all Media Blast machines are manufactured using 100% welded construction. Most light duty machines operate with no more than 20 CFM of compressed air.
Long Wear Abrasvie Hose:
A hose material used when high wear cutting abrasives are being used. This type of hose eliminates the frictional wear created on normal abrasive hoses.
Low Pressure Pot Cycle:
Using a Sandcarver at low pressures, 5-20 psi, can be difficult when not using a flexible pot valve. When the unit includes low pressure cycling the pot valve is flexible and on-off cycling at low pressures is possible.
Low Pressure Processing:
Thinner mask material, 2 mil, requires low pressure processing. Pressure pots that require threaded capping are cumbersome to operate. Pots attached to machine often require 30 psi for complete pressure pot valve closure. Media Blast with its unique design created an assembly that allows low-pressure On-Off cycling with pressures as low a 5-10 psi.
M
Magnahelic Gauge:
The magnahelic gauge monitors the condition of the dust collector filters (or HEPA filters) by monitoring the differential pressure between the clean and dirty side of the filter. The magnahelic gauge is available with or without set point indicators and indicator lights. When the filters become dirty, indicating the factory preset differential pressure has been reached, the set point indicator triggers a red light alerting you that it's time to change the filters.
Magnetic Separator:
This is used to remove metal contaminants that may be present during operation when using plastic abrasive
Maintenance Meter:
This feature will simplify the maintenance on your new MBA blast cabinet by tracking the amount of time the machine is in operation. By using the non-resettable hour meter, you can create a logbook that indicates basic machine maintenance schedules, including abrasive change out.
Manual Reverse Pulse:
This component is used to reverse the airflow direction inside the machines dust collector. This creates a quick pulse of air down the center of the dust collector cartridge which forces the collected dust off of the filter surface.
Maximum Impact Velocity:
The maximum blasting pressure different abrasive types will recycle before they start to fracture on impact. This can also vary with the part hardness and the abrasive delivery type, siphon or direct pressure.
MERV Filter Cartridge Testing:
Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, commonly known as MERV rating, is a measurement scale designed in 1987 by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to rate the effectiveness of air filters.
Micro Hoses:
The CrystalBlast line of sandcarving equipment uses the smallest abrasive hoses in the industry today. Ease of use is what sandcarving is all about and all CrystalBlast units come standard with the flexible 3/8” OD micro abrasive hose.
Micron:
Unit of measurement, 25 microns equals .0012 or 1/25,000 of an inch.
Mirror Cabinet:
Used to create the perfect fit with the smallest machine footprint. Any Media Blast unit can be supplied in a mirror layout. Often used for left hand operation but more often used to create a better shop layout and more efficient operation. Mirror machines include mirror service doors on the dust collector and often mirror blower rotation.
Mixing Valve, adjustable:
This valve is adjustable and used to meter the amount of abrasive entering the abrasive delivery hose. A properly adjusted valve, siphon or direct pressure, will eliminate delivery surge. Machines with a pre-set metering seldom operate with different abrasive sizes or worn abrasive as it wears finer.
Mobile Work Cart and Track:
For large, heavy and awkward objects that need to be blasted, the mobile work cart and track allow the objects to be easily loaded and unloaded from the cabinet. This eliminates the need for potentially dangerous clam-shell style cabinets. All mobile work carts are equipped standard with internal cabinet track and locking turntables with a 300 pound weight capacity. Various lengths of external track extensions and powered operation are also an available option.
Mold Making Kit:
Used with the Summit Sandcarving model for part protection taping elimination.
MSDS:
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a form containing data regarding the properties of a particular substance. An important component of product stewardship and workplace safety, it is intended to provide workers and emergency personnel with procedures for handling or working with that substance in a safe manner, and includes information such as physical data (melting point, boiling point, flash point, etc.), toxicity, health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, disposal, protective equipment, and spill-handling procedures. MSDS formats can vary from source to source within a country depending on national requirements.
Multiple Gun Application:
Multiple guns for siphon or multiple nozzles for pressure with and without additional operator stations are available on most Production type equipment manufactured by Media Blast. Adding a Tumble Barrel to a standard cabinet also adds one more gun assembly with controls. This special feature has almost limitless possibilities.
Multiple Work Stations:
A 48" part inside a 48" cabinet will not move from side to side. Often part movement is required to process the ends of the part. With larger cabinets multiple operator work stations are often required for part coverage. Media Blast also offers a 90-degree operator work station on the machine side or side access door, this permits part processing from another direction without part removal and flipping of rotation.
N
Negative Pressure Dust Collector:
Describes the most desirable operation of a blast machine dust collector. Places the dust collector blower on the clean side of the dust collector filter. All production machines should include a 100% welded negative pressure dust collector assembly.
Nuisance Dust:
Nuisance dust, or inert dust, can be defined as dust that contains less than 1% quartz. Because of its low content of silicates, nuisance dust has a long history of having little adverse effect on the lungs. Any reaction that may occur from nuisance dust is potentially reversible. However, excessive concentrations of nuisance dust in the workplace may reduce visibility (e.g., iron oxide), may cause unpleasant deposits in eyes, ears, and nasal passages (e.g., Portland cement dust), and may cause injury to the skin or mucous membranes by chemical or mechanical action.
O
Open Top:
All Tornado models include the Standard Top Assembly used to produce downward directional air-flow away from the operator location at the front of the unit. This top assembly includes the back and side wing pans used to create directional down-flow above the operator work grate surface increasing dust capture.
P
Padded Armrest:
The padded armrest permits the old familiar "elbows on the table" position which feels good not only on your arms but your back as well. This options bolts to most Media Blast machines and is included with some models and optional with other models.
Pencil Blaster:
These are very small blasting machines using only 2-4 pounds per hours for very detailed part processing. Most are direct pressure feed to increase the frictional heat.
Perforated Grate Overlay:
When parts are small they can fall down below the grate but are captured on the hopper scalper screen. This perforated grate overlay keeps them on the work grate surface.
Pinch Roller Conveyor:
Vertically mounted roller pairs used to push, pull or push-pull parts into and through a cabinet for processing. Horizontal pairs are used to rotate parts during processing.
PLC Machine Controls:
Often used to increase production on parts moved into and out of or through the cabinet using various types of part movement or part conveyors.
Pneumatic Conveyor:
The pneumatic conveyer works in conjunction with the cyclone separator for separation of fine and ultra-fine abrasive. Also used in operations with larger cabinets or multiple cabinets that requires standard operator heights. Used with siphon and direct pressure to remove and store the abrasive outside the cabinet.
Pneumatic Pinch Valve, Industrial:
Pneumatic valve used to control the on-off abrasive flow.
Polyester Filter Cartridge:
This is a washable filter cartridge often used for applications that require faster cartridge cleaning.
Pop-Out Shield:
Used with Tumble Barrel machines to keep small light weight parts from exiting the barrel during part processing.
Powered Mobile Work Cart:
Mobile Work Carts roll into and out of the cabinet. All Media Blast Mobile Work Carts include a turntable assembly. This turntable can also be powered using a constant or variable speed gear-motor assembly.
Powered Roll Up Door:
Vertical Doors can often save valuable floor space. Media Blast does not use counter-balanced or cylinder operated systems. Manufactured as a complete assembly in a steel housing mounted to the top of the cabinet. This option can be manually operated or equipped with a powered gear motor assembly.
Powered Turntable:
Fixed Turntables located inside the cabinet are often powered allowing the operator to jog parts within reach for part processing. Powered Turntables can also be used with a fixture abrasive gun for part processing or it can be manual or time-cycle operated with constant or variable speed.
Pressure Blower:
Four basic blower types exist. The lower the blower class, the greater the blower CFM air movement but this also lowers the blowers ability to create suction. Dust collector use a class III blower for a combination of air volume and blower static pressure for operation with the machine dust collector.
Pressure Pot:
These are used with direct pressure blast machines to pneumatically push the abrasive through the blast nozzle. Pressure pots produce a faster abrasive velocity, the most concentrated abrasive patterns and they can operate using the heaviest of abrasives, i.e. (steel grit and steel shot).
Production:
Production blasting machinery is machinery that is used on a daily basis. The defining factor in production machinery is the dust collector. Production machines require large amounts of dust collector filter surface area. The larger the dust collector filter surface area is, the greater it's capacity for storing collected dust and maintaining cabinet visibility during operation. Dust collectors with dust storage hoppers are easier to clean and therefore cleaner to operate. Production cabinets are typically made using heavier gauge steel with 100% welded construction. They also have the greatest variation of cabinet sizing.
Q
Quick Change Nozzle:
Permits nozzle changing in seconds without the use of tools.
QwikStrip Nozzle:
A longer than normal nozzle that is used to maintain high abrasive impact velocity and dense abrasive particle concentration. Because of the extended length of these nozzles, they can be used on direct pressure machines only.
R
R&D:
A term used to describe a “hybrid” between light duty and production machinery. The cabinet is large, but the dust collector capacity is limited. R&D or General Purpose, non-production machines, are ideal for infrequent use on larger parts.
Raised Operator Platform:
This is a platform used to raise the operator height, which allows for placement of the pressure pot, below the machine hopper. By doing this, you produce a better machine hopper slope, for feeding the pot. This eliminates the need for a pneumatic conveyor on a larger cabinet, which substantially increases the operating cost of the machine.
Random Part Mix:
This describes the part mixing that takes place during the tumble blast process. By increasing the random part mix speed, you increase the tumble cycle time, which results in greater machine production output.
Replacement Hopper:
MBA has the only truly modular blast cabinet. If the hopper wears out after many years of use, it can simply be replaced because it is not welded to the cabinet. If your blasting requirements change, MBA's production blast cabinets, can be converted from one style to another by changing the hopper or adding additional accessories. For example, a production siphon cyclone cabinet can easily be converted to a pressure cyclone, a siphon or a pressure blast cabinet. While many manufacturers can convert between siphon cyclone and pressure cyclone, no other manufacturer can measure up to MBA's flexibility. MBA is the only manufacturer that offers an optional system, which allows the user to automatically dispose of the abrasive after one cycle or operate the system as a normal abrasive blast system, which automatically recycles the abrasive.
Reverse Pulse Dust Collector:
A device used to clean the dust collector filter surface by using a pulse of compressed air. This type of setup is recommended for use with two or more filter cartridges and where high humidity conditions exist. It can be automatic or manual pulse.
Roll Up Side Access Door:
In years past, some side access doors were vertical lift doors. Today's technology allows for construction of the side access door as a contained roll-up door assembly. This makes possible the addition of a powered gear motor assembly and a rubber inside door lining. Closing the door inside the machine hopper is an advantage when using this type of access door.
Roller Conveyor:
Simple paired roller sections or power connected rollers can be used to rotate single parts inside the cabinet or move flat parts through any cabinet using part totes. Roller conveyor layouts can be restricted by the minimum length and shape of the part.
Roller Part Conveyor:
Simple roller conveyor sections or power connected rollers can be used to move flat parts or other parts using totes. Roller conveyors are restricted by the length and shape of the part.
Rubber Dipped Bar Grates:
When the part is heavy bar grates are used to support the parts. These bar grates can be rubber dipped to prevent metal on metal part damage.
Rubber Dipped Basket and Barrels:
Tumble Basket and Barrel machines require the parts to be rotated inside the barrel assembly. The parts provide the required protection for the baskets and barrels during the blasting process. Often times, the steel basket or barrel requires rubber dipping to prevent the parts from being damaged when the parts rub against the steel barrel surface during the tumbling process.
S
Safety Door Interlock:
Safety Door Interlock is used to stop the abrasive blast when the machine access door is opened.
Safety Plate View Window:
Glass view windows are best because unlike Plexiglas or plastic glass is a more durable static free material. Safety plate glass is one of the safest materials because unlike tempered glass safety glass has 2 pieces of glass bonded together with a single clear plastic sheet between.
Satellite Part Rotation:
Part Rotation Fixture used to spin or rotate the part in conjunction with fixed or oscillating abrasive guns. It can be stationary or attached to the powered turntable assemblies.
Scrubber:
Wet type scrubbers are used for many applications for the collection and cleaning of both gas and solid dust particles. Any possible explosive dust will require wet scrubber collection to eliminate the fire hazard. Most are made using stainless steel construction with water and air-flow used for the collection of the dust. The Hurricane wet blast machine includes a wet filter scrubber for cabinet operation.
Self-Contained:
All abrasive blasting cabinet that include an attached dust collector are considered self-contained. They can be moved easily to other locations. Some application require dust collector so large they must be free standing. The is machine duty cycle related.
Separator Reclaimer:
The Separator Reclaimer or Abrasive Separator Reclaimer prevents the loss of usable abrasive when the exhaust blower exchanges inside air for outside cabinet air creating the negative cabinet air pressure. Abrasive separator reclaimer are pneumatic centrifuges capable of separating usable abrasive from dust and unwanted, worn abrasive. This device makes it possible for usable abrasive to circulate over and over inside the abrasive cabinet while removing unwanted dust which is a spent abrasive. Abrasive separator reclaimer are available in different efficiency ranges, which should be matched to the abrasive size in use. Some separators operate with media sizes of 0-150 mesh and others are intended for finer sizes of 180-400 mesh. In addition, separator reclaimer are available in different CFM ratings, with larger separators for larger exhaust blowers.
Shrouded Foot Pedal Assembly:
An OSHA approved shrouded foot pedal assembly is available as an option to MBA's standard foot treadle. To accommodate the shrouded foot pedal assembly, the front leg brace is moved back 8" from the front of the cabinet.
Sight Window:
Unlike the operator view window, the sight window is used to allow outside light to enter inside the cabinet. A Sight Window is often installed on the top of wet blasting machines to allow the light from the outside light fixtures to enter the cabinet.
Silicon Carbide:
Cutting abrasive 9.5 hardness on the Moh’s scale of mineral hardness, diamond equals 10. Extremely sharp particles is prone to breaking into smaller sharp pieces. Loses its cutting speed because it continually breaks into smaller pieces with less mass.
Single Power Source:
Machines with fractional motors operate from a 120-volt power source. Machines with increased motor horse power, 1 HP and larger are available with an electrical box, a transformer for low-voltage operator control, magnetic starter, heater and low-voltage fuse protection. This option, gives the customer the opportunity to choose the supply voltage and phase required for the application.
Siphon Blast:
A term used to describe the type of abrasive delivery system used on an abrasive blasting cabinet. A siphon machine uses an injection gun to create suction on the abrasive supply hose. The abrasive hose then conveys the abrasive, using suction or siphon, to the gun where the compressed air hose is used to accelerate the abrasive. All siphon type machines include two hoses on the abrasive blast gun assembly. Siphon machines are the most common type of blast machine. All siphon gun assemblies include an air jet that is used to create the siphoning effect and also regulate the amount of compressed air required to operate the machine.
Soda:
Soda or baking soda is a blast abrasive used for one shot applications where you dispose of the abrasive as soon as it comes off the parts that are being blasted. By doing this, you minimize contamination of the abrasive that could be transferred to the part. Soda is also used to prevent part damage on sensitive materials during the cleaning process.
Soda Delivery System:
Optional Direct Pressure system used to deliver soda in the Blizzard model blast cabinet.
Special Blast Combinations:
System Static Pressure can affects blower CFM. The amount of CFM introduced by the blasting nozzle(s) can require larger blower assemblies. Blowers are sized to the system static and machine requirements for operator visibility. This can often change the pneumatic conveyor by adding or changing the size.
Special Cabinet Layouts:
Almost any customer required special cabinet layout can be supplied by Media Blast before the machine is fabricated. This is often required with many Oversized Parts, Special Operator Station Layouts, Part Entrance and Exit Vestibules, Taller, Wider, Deeper cabinets and many other simple modifications requiring cabinet modification before manufacturing.
Special Dust Collector Cabinets:
Media Blast offers Dust Collector Upgrades the include; HEPA After-Filtration, 2, 4 and 6 Filter Upgrades for 440, 880 and 1320 Sq.Ft. filter areas for high daily production and special blower configurations for high static and other increased blower cfm ratings required for additional dust collector options.
Special Electrical:
Media Blast offers a full line of equipment operating on 120 volt, single phase power source. Some machines include High Voltage Single Power Source Electrical as standard. The customer can indicate any Voltage, Phase and Cycle to create a specific machine electrical package. All 120 volt models can be upgraded to High Voltage Single Power Source as an option.
Special Machine Color
Media Blast offers special machine colors but you must supply a color match chip for mixing. Formulas for paint colors are not accepted.
Special Pneumatic Abrasive Conveyor:
Siphon and Direct Pressure machines equipped with additional guns and or nozzles can often require larger abrasive storage hoppers and larger pressure pot assemblies. Media Blast offers non-standard pneumatic conveyors sized for non-standard blower cfm ratings and non-standard pressure pot sizes.
Spring Loaded Pot Valve:
Because the pot is always pressurized during operation and the CrystalBlast machine includes single valve pot depressurization, you can depressurize the pot and push the easy load handle to open the pot for abrasive reload.
Square Top Design:
When you want the largest possible door opening you need to remove the cabinet window slope. Media Blast offer the square top design and also offers the insert window with operator view slope.
Stainless Steel Dry Cabinets:
Media Blast is one of a limited number of manufactures offering stainless steel Wet Blasting Equipment. This allows Media Blast to also offer stainless steel dry cabinets required to lesson or eliminate carbon steel contamination during part processing. All cabinet items coming in contact with the abrasive are fabricated from stainless steel, including pneumatic conveyors and separator reclaimer. Some limited items, mixing valves etc., can be stainless construction by offered in standard mild steel construction standard.
Static Grounding Kits:
Static electricity is generated when two dissimilar materials are rubbed together. This is a condition that can worsen with climate change. The static grounding kit prevents the cabinet from acting as a condenser, when the abrasive comes in contact with the steel cabinet walls, by preventing the static charge build up inside the cabinet
Static Pressure:
Used to measure the ability of the dust collector blower to move air longer. The higher the static pressure rating, the greater the suction ability of any blower or the ability to move air when resistance to air-flow is offered. This resistance is often called pressure differential, which takes the form of dust build-up on collection filters, creating a need for greater suction or static pressure ratings.
Steel Bar Grates:
Media Blast uses two types of bar grate material, steel bar grating and fiberglass bar grating. Steel has a greater weight bearing capacity and fiberglass helps protect the parts from being scratched as they are being worked on.
Steel Protection Hopper Wear Plate:
This removable steel plate is added to the front machine hopper. This is where the operator often is blasting the part and prevents wear with using a fixed gun holding assembly.
T
Table Top Velocity:
The down-draft velocity, movement of air in feet per minute, is greatest at the part work surface. Blower CFM divided by work surface area measured in sq. ft. equals table top velocity described in feet per minute velocity
Timed Window Wash:
This is a clear water rinsing assembly inside the cabinet that is timed, to provide a momentary pulse jet stream of clean water against the operator view window. All water used in this process is removed from the cabinet to prevent reduced slurry concentrations. The water that's removed from the cabinet can be used for cabinet make-up water.
Toe Kick:
An open area at the bottom of a bench or cabinet, for the placement of the operator's feet, which allows the operator to stand against the bench or cabinet while working. Commonly used in kitchen cabinet construction.
Tool Free Maintenance:
Change windows, nozzles and hoses without the tools
Track Extension:
See Mobile Work Cart and Tracks
Tumble Barrel:
While most applications using blast cabinets require manual operator directional blasting, some parts, because of their size and run quantity, can be blasted in batch loads using a machine equipped with a rotation device known as a tumble barrel. The term Tumble Barrel, describes a horizontally mounted barrel with the rotation axis horizontal. Tumble barrel machines can process small parts up to 5 inches in length. Tumble barrel machines basically unload themselves because of the horizontal rotation axis of the barrel. This permits jog rotation of the barrel which brings the barrel door to the bottom, which allows the parts to drop into a container when the door is opened.
Tumble Basket:
Tumble basket machines have an open top basket mounted with the rotation axis at 45 degrees from horizontal. These machines are used for the processing of smaller longer parts up to 7 inches. Because the tumble basket is mounted inside the machine hopper, the parts must be unloaded from the basket by hand after being processed
Tungsten Carbide Nozzle:
Heavy metal powder compressed under pressure to from a hard and durable blast nozzle material.
Tuning Valve:
Used with pneumatic conveyors to remove unwanted abrasive being recycled.
Two Stage Compressor:
Air compressors that use stages to increase the tank pressure higher. They make any receiver tank larger with this added storage. Truck mechanics, air tools and two stage compressors are normally found in the same facility.
V
Vacuum Blower:
Vacuum Blowers are considered a Class four blower, used to flow limited air volumes at high suction ratings. They are used for high air suction velocities and limited air flow in small air ducts and or hoses. Not good for dust capture and collection because of the low air-flow amounts.
Vacuum Separator Reclaimer:
Separator Reclaimer, or Abrasive Separator Reclaimer, prevent the loss of usable abrasive when the exhaust blower exchanges inside for outside cabinet air creating the negative cabinet air pressure. Abrasive separator reclaimer are pneumatic centrifuges capable of separating usable abrasive from dust and unwanted, worn abrasive. This device allows usable abrasive to circulate over and over inside the abrasive cabinet while removing unwanted dust and spent abrasive. Separator reclaimers allow large cabinet air exchange rates without abrasive removal.
W
Wet Blaster:
While most applications today call for dry blasting, some jobs remain that truly require wet blasting machinery. The frictional heat generated by dry machines can damage or destroy certain parts. Using a wet blasting cabinet can eliminate the frictional heat generated during part processing. Another plus with wet machinery is the ability to produce a chemically clean part surface with minimal surface removal. Using 4000 to 5000 mesh abrasive is not an option when using a dry blasting machine but, this abrasive size can be used when using a wet blasting cabinet like the Media Blast Hurricane model.
Wheel Kit:
This option included 4 locking steel casters allowing the movement of smaller more compact blast cabinets. Optional on Media Blast cabinet weighing 500 pounds and less.
White Aluminum Oxide:
Cutting abrasive 9.0 hardness on the Moe’s scale of mineral hardness, diamond equals 10. Iron free and used often for medical processing. Particle breaks into smaller sharp particles similar to silicon carbide and loses cutting speed because particle has less mass.
White Cabinet Liners:
These removable and flip-able white lines will allow cabinet visibility and indicate possible high wear locations for fixed gun or guns.
Window Molding Tool Kit:
Media Blast uses a positive sealing window molding to produce a 100% sealed view window installation. Using the window molding tool kit allows for easy installation of the operator view window if replacement is ever required.
Window Protector:
Commonly called "Window Protectors", these are used to protect the operator view window during machine operation when using cutting abrasives. Cutting abrasives can cause window etch. MBA uses a secondary piece of glass to protect the main safety glass view window from being etched. The protector glass is replaceable and provides a durable, inexpensive, way to protect the view window during machine operation. Using softer materials like plastic sheets is not advised, due to the soft nature of the protector and its ability to create static electricity, which will draw the abrasive inside the cabinet to the view window, creating limited visibility.