Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ - Troubleshooting

FAQ - System and process

• What is Micro Abrasive Blasting?
• What is the narrowest cut that can be made?
• What is required for the system?
• Can other abrasives be used?
• Can the Airbrasive^® Powder be re-used?
• What is the capacity of the powder holding chamber?
• How long will a single powder charge last ?
• What parts in the system are most subject to wear?

What is Micro Abrasive Blasting?
Micro Abrasive Blasting is a precision machining technology developed to deburr, clean, texture and surface treat a variety of different materials. It is particularly useful to remove material on difficult-to-reach surfaces. It utilizes a compressed air mixed with an abrasive media which is composed of micron-sized particles designed with sharp edges for cutting or impinging on the work surface. The mixture is propelled through a tiny nozzle (typically with an orifice of between 5 and 30 thousandths) resulting in a high velocity stream. The nozzle can be held by hand using a handpiece or fixtured for an automatic process. The operation is typically start-stop controlled by a footswitch but for larger capacity machines can be set for continuous operation.

What is the narrowest cut that can be made?
Using a rectangular nozzle having orifice dimensions of .003" x .060" at a nozzle tip distance of approximately 1/32", cuts can be made approximately .005" wide.

What is required for the system?
In general, a compressed air supply or dry shop air which can be filtered for moisture and oil using Norgren filters supplied by Airbrasive^®. The compressed air must be 50 to 110 psig. Also necessary for the system depending on the process being performed would be a work chamber to contain the spent  abrasive particles and a dust collector. With the exception of the model 6500 Micro-Blasting Unit which is an all-pneumatic device, you will also require a power supply.

Can other abrasives be used?
In general, no. Standard commercial grades of abrasive powders are not suitable for use with these machines since they are not classified close enough to have proper flow or cutting characteristics. Use of commercial grades can cause frequent clogging of the equipment. Furthermore, they may contain free silica or other ingredients that may be harmful to health.

Can the Airbrasive^® Powder be re-used?
No. The spent Airbrasive^® Powder loses its cutting points and edges and would be very inefficient if re-used. More important, the recovered Airbrasive^® Powder may be contaminated which would clog the small orifices within the unit and nozzles. The Airbrasive^® Powder should never be re-used.

What is the capacity of the powder holding chamber?

In the Model K Micro-Blasting unit, the powder chamber can hold about 1.5 lbs of powder. By comparison, the Model HME unit can hold up to 20 lbs of powder. Refer to the Machine Selection Chart for other models.

How long will a single powder charge last ?
This depends on the richness of the Airbrasive^® mixture which is adjustable through the powder flow controls. For example, at an average flow rate of 5 grams per minute, powder in the Model K unit’s chamber would last approximately 1 hour in continuous operation. In the Model H unit, powder would last approximately 4 hours.

What parts in the system are most subject to wear?
The nozzle tip and pinch tube used in the pinch valve for start-stop operation. Replacement of either of these parts is a simple and quick operation.