Media Blast & Abrasive
FAQ Sheet
    

Why are most MBA blast cabinets built standard with only one door?

There are three very good reasons.  Repeated observations over the last thirty years show that nearly all blast cabinet operators  use the right side door only for loading and unloading.  The exceptions are usually operations that require a pass through system to another workstation.  The second reason stems from the general physical characteristics of people - about 90@ of which are right handed.  Therefore, it is safe to assume that about 90% of blast cabinet operators are right handed, too.  Right handed blast operators typically blast with the nozzle angled - more or less - towards the left.  If there is a door on the left side of the cabinet, extreme stress is placed on the door seals.  [In relatively shot period of time, the door seal will fail.  Abrasive and dust will escape from the cabinet through the failed door seal.  This problem is usually alleviated by frequent replacement of the door seal, dust taping the door to prevent dust and abrasive release or welding the door closed - because it is never used anyway.]  Finally, one well built double skinned, no spill door is better than two single skin, poorly constructed doors.

 Why does MBA used integral vs free standing dust collectors?

Freestanding dust collectors add additional floor space to the blast cabinet.  Extra floor space is usually nonexistent in most facilities.  Detached dust collectors require duct from the cabinet to the dust collector housing.  This duct increases the static pressure on the blower resulting in lower dust removal efficiencies.  It also means additional wear parts to be purchased from the manufacturer.  Dust collectors not bolted directly to the blast cabinet may required a permit from  local air quality control agency or municipality in some areas.,

Why does MBA use cartridge filters?

Dust collector filter area is one of the most important factors when choosing a blast cabinet.  Dust Collectors with greater filter area can operate longer without service.  Envelope filters yield about three times the filter area per square foot of floor space than tubular filters.  Cartridge collectors yield double the filter area over envelope filters (six times the area over tubular filters).

Dust collectors with greater filter area are able to disperse the volume of air traveling through the collector more efficiently.  The efficiency is commonly measured by the air to cloth ration (the ratio of exhaust blower volume to filter area).  Practically, air to cloth ratios between 3:1 and 5:1 are considered acceptable.  Lower air to cloth ratios mean the dust collector is more efficient and the filters will not wear out as quickly.

Cartridge filters are very easy to replace.  MBA cartridge filters can be replaced in 10 minutes or less.  Popular tube style filter replacement can take up to three hours or more.

How does MBA clean its cartridge dust filters?

MBA uses a special cartridge filter that allows vibration to effectively clean the filter.  Vibration of the cartridge filter creates a dry, ultrasonic cleaning action.  If the filter is cleaned regularly, the filter vibrator will remove up to 80% of the dust lodged on the filter.

How does MBA separate abrasive coarser than 180 mesh?

MBA makes a variety of abrasive reclaim separators.  Abrasive larger than 180 mesh does not require cyclone type reclaim separators for retention.  MBA builds an abrasive reclaim separator that is 99% efficient on particles 150 mesh or coarser and doesn't require 100% of the abrasive exiting the nozzle to flow through the reclaim separator.  This is accomplished by storing the abrasive inside the blast cabinet.  This type of system eliminates the high wear items of the cyclone separator system.

Well, how about 180 mesh or smaller?

MBA builds a cyclone reclaim separator for ultra fine abrasives.  Their cyclone has the highest efficiency in the industry.   It is 99% efficient for abrasives sized from 180 mesh to 400 mesh.  The frictional wear of ultra fine abrasives is significantly less than larger abrasives so replacement of wear items is virtually non-existent.

Why does MBA offer cabinets with different window slopes?

Customer needs are not always the same.  Parts for blasting may be low profile (below 6" in height), or high profile (above 12" in height).  Parts are normally blasted while setting on the metal work surface.  The 45 degree window slope gives the operator the greatest visibility while blasting low profile parts.  High profile parts will bring the part much closer to the 45o sloped window.  For this reason, MBA offers the 17o window slope in an expanded height cabinet.  This allows additional inside cabinet height and greater distance from the part to the window, thus reducing window wear.  However, some visibility may be lost on low profile parts sitting on the work grate inside an expanded height cabinet, therefore, we counsel customers to purchase the cabinet that will work best for the greatest number of parts.

Why does MBA use glass window protectors?

Using glass as a window protector insures maximum visibility (since the operator can just wipe any dust off the protector) with no light loss inside the cabinet as well as protecting the window from scratches.

What does MBA use if the customer wishes additional cabinet protection?

MBA uses 3/16" white polyethylene wear plates which are resistant to tear and do not absorb light, and being rigid, do not tear free from the anchors and flap.

MBA offers steel hopper wear plates for extended wear, and since they too are rigid, abrasive cannot lift or balloon them. 

Most cabinet wear is in the machine hopper, therefore MBA welds all sides of the hopper to reinforce the critical abrasive wear points and eliminate potential wear problems.

Why does MBA install a pneumatic lock as a standard feature on the pressure blast cabinets?

Siphon blast machines stop blasting instantly when the blast pedal is released.  Pressure blast machines will continue to blast when the blast pedal is released until all the pressure is vented from the pressure pot.  The machines are equipped with safety door interlocks which shut off the pressurized air to the cabinet when the access door is opened.  However, an operator or another person could still open the access door while the pressure nozzle is blasting and get a face full of abrasive.  MBA pressure machines are equipped with pneumatic door locks that will not allow the access door(s) to be opened while there is still pressure in the pot.  This standard safety feature is unique in the industry.

Why does MBA use bar grate as the work surface in the standard pressure blast cabinet?

The bar grate prevents hopper wear created by the velocity and density of the abrasive used in the pressure blast cabinet.  Due to the vertical height of the bar grate, most of the abrasive is unable to pass through the grate when blasted at an angle of less than 45o . 
Return to air blast cabinets
For other equipment, go to  TechniBlast
E-mail: airblast@techniblast.com		 TechniBlast Inc.
P.O. Box 590 
Seminole, OK 74818-0590 
405-382-0477;  Fax 405-382-0545