Automated blasting systems are enclosures designed to require a minimum of technical oversight or involvement in the accommodation of large-scale sandblasting projects. Most automated systems are intended to be continuous, which allows for the sandblasting of large quantities of materials.
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A range of companies make use of automated blasting systems, particularly companies involved in the manufacture of metal products that require finishing. In these systems, a conveyor, turntable or other loading system loads the materials that require sandblasting into an enclosure. Within that enclosure are compressed air or water jets that deliver the forced blasting media. When the sandblasting is complete, the materials are removed from the enclosure and replaced with a new batch. Depending on the variety of sandblast media and the construction of the enclosure, the media may be recovered, cleaned and used to sandblast more materials. Once sandblasted, the materials may be blown or shaken in order to remove residual blasting media or other particles. Some sandblast enclosure manufacturers advertise batch blasting cabinets as part of their continuous lines. These enclosures are designed for more specialized applications in which some technical oversight is required. In such systems, technicians examine blasted materials for imperfections and re-circulate them through the enclosure if necessary.
All sandblasting services are intended to alter the properties of a surface in some way. Companies that offer automated sandblasting enjoy certain advantages over companies with mobile, multi-operational sandblasting services. A stationary automated system can be as large or as small as the operation calls for. Limits to the space occupied by blasting media supply are a minimal concern which, combined with the availability of a permanent air compressor, allows for blasting services to continue for as long as is necessary. A variety of blasting media may be used in a given sandblasting operation. Silica, the media from which sandblasting takes its name, is a common blasting media, though other media like corncobs and walnut shells are gaining popularity in some contexts. Automated blasting systems generally are not as affected by the concerns that arise with the use of silica blasting media; because the blasting happens in an enclosure, technical staff are exposed to minimal quantities of silica particulates (though additional provisions for workspace air quality should still be made). For this reason, using silica as a blasting media is less of a concern in automated systems as it is with other sandblasting services.
