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 and 100 grit 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 #80grit.
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 out anymore than this as it can effect the performance.
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 #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.
Replacement Parts
What parts will wear and should i have some on hand?
Like all sandblasters parts will wear out and need to be replaced. The machiune 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 world wide.
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 feature change that will require a software if you want to have the feature.
Will upgraded software cost to get it?
Yes if your machine is more than 6 months old. We don't know the price of different upgrade but it won't be much if it is simple software Transfer and install.
How will I install new software?
It is simple to do. You conenct a computer to the PLC via USB cable. When the upgrade occurs we will give you full instructions.