Slide 001: Blast Cabinet Components and Setup

Slide Visual

Slide Overview

This slide introduces the major components of a suction-feed blast cabinet, their functions, and proper setup procedures for makerspace operations.

Instruction Notes

Cabinet Anatomy

A standard suction-feed blast cabinet consists of these critical components:

Enclosure and Access - Cabinet body: 16–18 gauge steel construction, typically 24"×36" or 36"×48" work area - Viewing window: Tempered glass with replaceable protective lens (polyester or polycarbonate film) - Glove ports: 6"–8" diameter openings with clamped rubber blast gloves (28"–30" length typical) - Access door: Top or front-loading, with rubber gasket seal and latch mechanism

Blast System - Blast gun: Suction-feed design draws media from cabinet floor through pickup tube - Nozzle: Ceramic (300–500 hr life), tungsten carbide (500–800 hr), or boron carbide (1000+ hr). Standard sizes: 1/4", 5/16", 3/8" bore - Air inlet: 1/2" or 3/4" NPT connection to shop compressed air, with regulator and moisture separator - Foot pedal: Dead-man switch controlling media flow via air valve

Media Handling - Cabinet floor: Sloped or V-shaped bottom directing spent media to pickup point - Media hopper: Holds 50–200 lbs depending on cabinet size - Recirculation system: Suction draws spent media back to blast gun for continuous reuse

Dust Collection - Exhaust port: Connected to dedicated dust collector via 4"–6" ductwork - Dust collector: Cartridge or bag-type, minimum 400 CFM for standard cabinets - Differential pressure gauge: Indicates filter condition — replace when ΔP exceeds 4" water column

Setup Procedure

1. Verify compressed air supply: minimum 10 CFM at operating pressure, moisture separator drained
2. Install correct nozzle for application (1/4" for fine work, 3/8" for production)
3. Load appropriate media — never mix types
4. Set regulator to target pressure (start at 50 PSI, adjust as needed)
5. Test dust collector — verify airflow pulls tissue against exhaust port
6. Install fresh protective lens on viewing window
7. Verify cabinet seal integrity — no gaps at glove ports, door, or seams

Key Talking Points

• The dust collector is the most important safety system on the cabinet
• Nozzle material choice dramatically affects operating cost and downtime
• Always start at lower pressure and increase — you can't un-blast a surface
• The foot pedal is a safety device, not just a convenience

Learning Objectives (Concept Check)

• Identify all major components of a suction-feed blast cabinet
• Explain the function of each component in the blast system
• Perform a complete setup procedure from compressed air to dust collection

---

Last Updated: 2026-03-19