Student Material 001: Cabinet Operation Quick Reference
Material ID: U10M2-MAT-001
Purpose: Quick reference for blast cabinet setup, operation parameters, and maintenance
Pre-Operation Inspection Checklist
| Check Item |
Status (OK/Needs Attention) |
Notes |
| Dust collector ΞP gauge reading |
|
Replace filter if >4" WC |
| Dust collector airflow (tissue test) |
|
Tissue pulled firmly to port |
| Cabinet gloves condition |
|
No holes, thin spots, or tears |
| Viewing window clarity |
|
Replace protective lens if frosted |
| Door gasket seal |
|
No light gaps when closed |
| Nozzle bore size |
|
Replace if >1/16" oversize |
| Blast hose condition |
|
No kinks, wear, or exposed braid |
| Compressed air pressure |
|
Set to target PSI |
| Moisture separator drained |
|
Open petcock, drain water |
| Foot pedal function |
|
Press/release = instant on/off |
| Cabinet interior clean |
|
No old media in dead zones |
| Media type verified |
|
Matches project requirements |
Material-Specific Blasting Parameters
| Material |
Media |
Pressure |
Standoff |
Angle |
Speed |
Notes |
| Mild Steel |
Al. oxide 60-80 |
60-80 PSI |
6" |
45Β° |
2"/sec |
Coat within 4 hrs |
| Stainless Steel |
Glass bead 100-170 |
50-70 PSI |
6-8" |
45Β° |
2"/sec |
No carbon steel media |
| Aluminum |
Glass bead 100-170 |
30-50 PSI |
8-10" |
45-60Β° |
3"/sec |
Low pressure critical |
| Brass/Bronze |
Walnut shell 12/20 |
30-50 PSI |
8-10" |
45Β° |
2"/sec |
Very gentle |
| Glass |
Al. oxide 120-180 |
25-40 PSI |
10-12" |
90Β° |
1"/sec |
Use vinyl resist for patterns |
| Wood |
Glass bead 70-100 |
15-30 PSI |
12-14" |
30-45Β° |
3-4"/sec |
Blast with grain |
| FDM 3D Print |
Glass bead 170-325 |
20-40 PSI |
8-10" |
45Β° |
2"/sec |
PLA softens under heat |
Nozzle Replacement Guide
| Nozzle Material |
Life (hrs) |
Cost (approx) |
Cost/Hour |
Best For |
| Steel |
20-40 |
$5-10 |
$0.25 |
Light/occasional use |
| Ceramic (AlβOβ) |
300-500 |
$15-30 |
$0.05 |
General makerspace |
| Tungsten Carbide |
500-800 |
$25-50 |
$0.05 |
Heavy use |
| Boron Carbide |
1000-1500 |
$40-80 |
$0.05 |
Production environments |
Troubleshooting Quick Reference
| Symptom |
Most Likely Cause |
Fix |
| Weak blast |
Worn nozzle |
Measure bore, replace if oversize |
| Weak blast |
Low air pressure |
Check compressor, regulator |
| Poor visibility |
Clogged dust collector |
Check ΞP, clean/replace filter |
| Poor visibility |
Frosted window lens |
Replace protective film |
| Media not flowing |
Moisture in lines |
Drain separator, dry media |
| Media not flowing |
Clogged pickup tube |
Clear with compressed air |
| Uneven results |
Mixed media |
Complete media change |
| Dust escaping |
Seal failure |
Inspect door gasket, glove ports |
Maintenance Schedule Summary
| Daily |
Weekly |
Monthly |
As Needed |
| Inspect gloves |
Check nozzle wear |
Service dust collector |
Full media change |
| Clean window |
Clean dead zones |
Inspect all seals |
Replace nozzles |
| Drain moisture trap |
Inspect blast hose |
Lubricate door hinges |
Replace gloves |
| Check pressure |
|
Check electrical connections |
Replace window |
Last Updated: 2026-03-19