Maintaining Blast Abrasive Equipment: The Checklist

Maintaining blast abrasive equipment is critical to keeping it in good working condition. A broken or malfunctioning piece of equipment can cause production delays and money. That’s why it’s important to have a checklist of the things that need to be done regularly to keep your equipment running smoothly. In this blog post, we will discuss the most important things to keep in mind when maintaining blast abrasive equipment.

Abrasive equipment has several key components that need to be on the checklist for a regular inspection.  Find a list of those components and what to check as well as how to handle any deficiency below.

AIR COMPRESSOR

The air compressor is the heart of the blast abrasive system. It provides the power to operate the system and needs to be maintained regularly. Check the air compressor regularly for leaks, damaged parts, lubrication, and tune-up for proper operation. Replace any damaged or worn parts immediately.

BLAST POT

The blast pot assembly kept in good working order is critical to blasting efficiency. Inspect the blast pot, pusher hose, inlet & outlet valves and hoses, exhaust system, connectors, Pop-Up Valve and gaskets along with the gasket for the Inspection Door are all wear parts that will require replacements over time.

BLAST NOZZLE

The blast nozzle is what directs the flow of abrasive material onto the surface being blasted – and accelerates the abrasive for maximum cleaning efficiency. Worn Nozzles should be replaced once the Venturi increase in diameter to the next larger size.  For example, when a #6 Nozzle is worn to a #7.  Replace as soon as the Nozzle is worn – as this will negatively affect Production speed and Abrasive Consumption.

VALVES, HOSES, PIPES, WIRES, AND FITTINGS

All valves, hoses, pipes, wires, and fittings need to be inspected regularly for wear and tear. Replace any damaged or worn parts immediately.

What is considered regular maintenance on your blast abrasive equipment?

There are several things you can do to keep your equipment in good condition and prolong its lifespan. Here is a checklist of maintenance tasks to perform regularly:

• Inspect the equipment regularly for any damage or wear and tear.
• Check that there are no leaks in any of the hoses or connections.
• Replace worn-out parts as soon as possible.
• Check hoses for microcracks and brittleness due to UV exposure – replace when hoses appear old – before hose breaks.

How to Choose the Right Blast Abrasives for your Equipment

Now that you know how to maintain your blast abrasive equipment, it’s time to choose the right blast abrasives for your needs. There are many different types of abrasives available on the market, so it’s important to do your research before making a purchase. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the right blast abrasives:

• Is the substrate bare steel – or coated
• Location of the Blast Operation in proximity to the Abrasive source – the longer the shipping, the greater the cost of Abrasive
• Desired Profile Height
• Lowest cost per square foot for the Abrasive – which should take into account the cost per ton, Production Rate in sf/hr, Consumption Rate – and Dust Tolerance at the jobsite.

Once these factors have been considered, the Abrasive choices will be much clearer for selection of the best blast abrasives for any given project. Keep in mind that certain Abrasives will create more wear on the Blast Equipment assembly. For a more in-depth explanation of how to choose the right abrasive for each project please see our previous blog on “choosing the right abrasive.”

Bonus Tips:

• If visible damage to the Blast equipment is noticed, stop using it immediately and contact a professional for repairs – or go to the Manual for repair suggestions and Troubleshooting.
• If parts of your equipment are not working properly, check the owner’s Manual for troubleshooting tips – and for correctly ordering Replacement Parts.
• If you can’t find the source of the problem, contact customer service for assistance.

By following these tips, you can maintain your blast abrasive equipment and keep it in good working condition for many years to come. If you have any questions or need assistance, our team of experts is always here to help. Contact us today for more information or to order blast abrasive parts. Thanks for reading!