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CNC AUTOB/SM-PRO Q&A

Abrasive

Which Type of Abrasive is suitable?

Almost any dry abrasive will work with the CNC Autoblaster. Most people use either Aluminium Oxide or Garnet. Aluminium Oxide is more expensive but cuts better and lasts much longer than Garnet. 

What is the best Grit Size?

We normally recomend around 40grit when using our vinyl mask.. Some say that 40/60 grit mixture is an ideal mix for cutting stone. If you are engraving glass we would recomend #80 grit however you can use #46 grit on mirror.

If you are using the PhotoMask Product you should use #80-120grit.

How much Abrasive should you put into the SM-Pro SandBlaster?

The tank capacity is 50kg so two 25kg bags can be put in at one time. Don't use anymore than this as it can effect the performance. Too much abrasive will get in the way of the mushroom seal working properly and prevent good seasled pressure. It can also damage the sealing ring.

Air Pressure

How many cubic feet per minute/ Litres per minute do I need?

Like all sandblasting machines, it depends on the nozzle size. For the AUTOB see the Air Supply/Compressor requirements on the product pages Specifications Screen.

What pressure do I blast at?

You can use your normal blasting pressure. We suggest starting at #3.5-4 Bar as a good general guide. The higher the pressure the less passes are needed. When you blast at higher pressure settings such as 6 or 7 bar you will get the job done quicker but parts will also wear quicker. Most operators run at around 4 Bar to get a good production speed and lower wearing parts balance.

Operation

How do I learn to operate the machine?

We teach you. We offer onsite training with each machine sale. The process is so simple you can train anyone in a few hours. It was designed to be very simple to operate. No computer skills needed. Infact it makes the skill of sandblasting accessable to anyone.

How long does it take to engrave a headstone?

Watch this video to see a typical sized headstone get engraved to see how long you can expect. It's a very efficient system that gives you quality work all day everyday.

How deep can you engrave?

As deep as you want. like any sandblasting process the longer you blast the deeper the engraving. You simply set the pressure and amount of passes to run for the job to get the desired depth. We can offer you guide lines on pressure settings and pass amounts to achieve desired depthes.

Can I engrave at different depths on the one stone?

Yes. For the section you want to engrave deeper on you simply set that field to run more passes. It all then happens in the one production run.

What happens if the machine runs out of abrasive before the job is finished?

The autoblaster is truely automatic. The pressure pot has a sensor that senses when ther abrasive is low. It will stop blasting at the end of a travel and automatically refill, then start the blast program where it left off. 

Does the Autoblaster filter the abrasive in the recycling process?

Yes it does. It has a dual filter system to make sure that the dust is seperated from the cutting abrasive so that you abrasive stays fresh for longer giving you the most efficient use of the cost of abrasive.

What happens if my machine breaks down?

In the unlikely event of a breakdown we provide fast tech supoport and can usually diagnode the issue obver the phone. In most cases we can send you the required part immediately from our Sydney warehouse. If you need a onsite repair we can arrange that.

Replacement Parts

What parts will wear and should i have some on hand?

Like all sandblasting machine parts will wear out and need to be replaced. The machine is very well built and repolacement parts are not a constent need but some parts around the blast channel do wear and it is good to have on hand.

This document lists the parts that are good to have on hand.

How often will I need replacement parts?

That depends on how much you use the machine. It is hard to say how long a part will last. We certainly do not sell many replacement parts.

Where can I get replacement parts from?

ProBlast carries all replacement parts in the Sydney warehouse and can be dispatched same day as order placement. We ship worldwide.

How to Buy Replacement Parts.

All parts are displayed on our website in the Replacement Parts section. On this page you can use the filter on the left to show just the parts for your machine. You can order and pay online. For international shipping we will need to get a shipping quote. Most parts are small so shipping costs are relative to package size.

PLC Controller Software

Does software need to be installed?

No the AUTOB controller comes with operational software.

Does software need to be upgraded in the future?

No the installed software does not need to be upgraded in the future. It will continue to work as is. However from time to time there may be a optional feature change that will require a software if you want to have the feature. 

 

How will I install new software?

It is simple to do. You connect a computer to the PLC via USB cable. When the upgrade occurs we will give you full instructions.