Sandblasting Equipment: Which Blast Cabinet System is Best for You?

Suction and pressure are the two main types of blast cabinet systems. These both systems have many advantages but understanding their differences is important in order to decide what type of sandblasting cabinet will be acquired. The frequency and duration of blasting operations per day, availability of compressed air and the objective of the blasting process are all important factors to take into consideration.

T,ODMWORKS supply professional and honest service.

Suction Blast Cabinet

Suction-type blast cabinets suit most applications and are economical; they are ideal for low production operations, light duty cleaning and occasional maintenance jobs.

Benefits

• Lower initial cost: a suction blast cabinet costs less than a pressure blast cabinet
• Lower operating costs: blast media is being supplied by a suction action rather than being fed with pressure; the media will leave the blast nozzle at a lighter pressure and speed.
• Lower air volume requirements: needs less air to function compared to a pressure fed cabinet.

Cons

• Suction blast cabinets are limited in the types of media they can use; metallic media such as steel cannot be carried into the air stream.
• Slower production rates: a suction blast cabinet will supply media at a lower pressure and a reduced speed.

How Does a Suction Blast Cabinet Work?

A suction-blast gun has two hoses, one for air and one for media. When the gun is activated, compressed air is metered into the gun body by an air jet and projected out of the blast nozzle; this is where the vacuum (i.e. suction) is generated and pulls the media into the gun and propelled out to the surface to be blasted.

Pressure Blast Cabinet

Pressure blast cabinets provide faster cleaning rates and are much more powerful- they are used for larger volume applications and aggressive blast cleaning.

Benefits

• High Production: pressure blast cabinets are 3-4 times faster in cleaning a product surface than suction cabinets.
• Higher performance: as pressure blast cabinets provide media at a greater force, products will be cleaned at a greater degree.
• More aggressive operation
• Any type of media can be used.

Cons

• Greater initial expense: a pressure cabinet will cost more initially than a suction blast cabinet.
• Items such as blast nozzles, cabinet linings, and window covers will be more inclined to wear faster because the media will be moving at a higher force and speed compared to a suction blast cabinet.
• A higher volume of air is needed

How Pressure Blast Cabinet Works

In a pressure blast cabinet, a pressure vessel is used to store an amount of blast media at high pressure. When the media and air are released from the pot, it accelerates and picks up speed as it travels through the nozzle.

The pressure of the blast is controlled by a foot pedal and the abrasive metering valve is set to obtain the ideal media mix to maximize impact on the workpiece while keeping its consumption at its minimum.

A Word on Cabinet Quality

There is a wide range of cabinets available at a wide range of prices. Not all are created equally. Having handled so many second-hand blast cabinets over the years the engineers at Rileys can confirm quality has a huge impact on the performance and lifespan of blasting cabinets.

Blasting is an abrasive process, so it has an impact on the machinery as well as the parts you are blasting. Frankly cheap, riveted cabinets with cheap components from eBay don’t compare to welded cabinets with thoughtful design and quality components. Both approaches have their place in the market, but it is important to be honest about the capability you need versus the capability that can be delivered by a cabinet. At Riley Surface World, we have both pressure blast cabinets and suction blast cabinets to suit your desired needs.

• Benefits of Using Sandblasting Cabinets
• Technical Aspects of Sandblasting
• Practical Usage Aspects
• Applications
• Main Models of Sandblasting Cabinets and Their Purpose
• Model Comparison for Selection
• Dust Collection Systems

Sandblasting cabinets provide an effective solution for surface cleaning across various materials. These cabinets are commonly used in industries to remove contaminants, polish surfaces, prepare for painting, or add decorative finishes. Using pressurized abrasive media, surfaces are quickly cleared of rust, old coatings, and other residues.

The primary purpose of sandblasting cabinets is to ensure high-quality surface treatment, with abrasive particles (e.g., sand or glass beads) applied under pressure to the object’s surface.

Want more information on Best Sandblasting Cabinet? Feel free to contact us.

Benefits of Using Sandblasting Cabinets

Sandblasting is far more efficient than manual cleaning or chemical treatments. Beyond sand, other media, such as glass beads for delicate finishes or steel grit for intense cleaning, can also be used.

Modern cabinets come with additional features that enhance processing:

• High-quality lighting — External fluorescent lamps provide bright lighting, making process control easier.
• Protective window — A transparent, static-resistant screen shields the operator from dust and abrasive particles.
• Efficient dust collection — Large cartridge filters capture over 99% of dust, ensuring a clean workspace and safety.
• Reliable controls — Pneumatic controls are often more durable than electric ones, which may wear out over time.

Technical Aspects of Sandblasting

Choosing the right cabinet depends on several key characteristics: air pressure, abrasive type, and filtration and cleaning systems:

• Air Pressure: Cabinets usually operate at 4-10 bar, affecting cleaning intensity. Higher pressures are suitable for tasks such as rust removal or pre-paint preparation.
• Abrasive Type: In addition to sand, materials like glass beads, ceramics, corundum, or steel grit may be used, depending on the material and desired result.
• Filtration System: Large filter areas (capturing over 99% of dust down to 0.5 microns) maintain visibility and reduce health risks for the operator.

Practical Usage Aspects

When working with sandblasting cabinets, it’s essential to select a model suited for the task, adhere to safety protocols, and maintain the filters regularly:

1. Cabinet Choice for Specific Tasks — Lower pressure and soft abrasives are used for delicate cleaning, while higher pressure and hard abrasives work best for intensive treatments.
2. Safety Precautions: Operators should wear safety goggles, respirators, and gloves.
3. Timely Maintenance ensures the dust collector system’s consistent performance.

Applications

Sandblasting cabinets are widely used for cleaning, polishing, and decorating surfaces across various industries.

• Surface Cleaning — Removes oxides, paint residues, and other contaminants.
• Polishing — Prepares materials before painting or coating.
• Decorating — Creates patterns on surfaces.

Main Models of Sandblasting Cabinets and Their Purpose

For different manufacturing processes, appropriate cabinet models are available to meet specific production needs:

1. CAB Series — Suitable for long-term use in light to medium industrial settings. These cabinets allow front or top loading.
2. ECO Series — Versatile models for a wide range of applications. Featuring a steel design with suction or pressure abrasive systems, they are ideal for low-dust work.
3. Professional Models (SF and SL) — Designed for intensive, daily use in large facilities.

Model Comparison for Selection

For beginners or small-scale production, models from the CAB and ECO series are ideal, while the SF and SL professional series are best for intensive use.

Dust Collection Systems

The cabinets use DC series dust collectors with cartridge filters and pulse cleaning systems. This ensures reliable dust capture and a clean workspace.

Conclusion

Sandblasting cabinets are essential for quality surface finishing and suitable for various manufacturing needs. Selecting the right cabinet is guided by the requirements for cleanliness and productivity.

See Also:

The company is the world’s best Heavy-duty Leve Grease Gun supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.