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CNC Parts Machining When To Choose Sandblasting Treatment?

Views: 0     Author: Site Editor     Publish Time: 2025-01-21      Origin: Site

Advantages and disadvantages of sandblasting treatment

Sandblasting is a finishing process used to treat the surface of various objects. A bead spray is a type of shot blasting that involves the use of fine glass beads to clean or finish surfaces at high pressure.


In this process, the aster uses high pressure tools to direct the bead medium to the surface of the material. The goal is to obtain a smooth, shiny, and clean surface. Manufacturers usually use this technique on metal, plastic, glass, and rubber to create an excellent surface finish.

When to choose the sandblasting treatment

Sandblasting is a multifunctional surface treatment process with many uses in manufacturing. It can remove coating or corrosion, prepare surface for coating, clean appearance defects, modify surface finish, and remove surface margins. It also helps to improve surface uniformity to meet both mechanical and cosmetic needs.

You should choose the sandblasting finish if:

Processing marks of tools such as the vertical milling cutter will leave ugly vortex marks, scratches and nicks on the surface, so a uniform finish is required.

For aesthetic purposes, such as in automotive or consumer product applications, surfaces require a consistent texture and finish.

Requires rapid and efficient removal of corrosion or existing coatings without damage to the underlying material.

Derressed edges are necessary for smooth rough edges and surfaces to ensure safe handling and assembly.

The surface must be prepared for additional coating or treatment, such as painting, powder coating, or plating.

Machined parts require a satin finish to mask flaws and achieve a clean, professional appearance, such as medical equipment or precision instruments.

The faces need to be cleaned and prepared for welding or bonding operations.

Uniform surface roughness is required for skid-resistant or wear-resistant applications.

The working principle of the sandblasting

The sandblasting process is similar to other sandblasting techniques but involves projecting spherical or bead media onto the substrate. Unlike other methods, serrated media is used to leave a rougher surface finish. The effect of the glass beads on the material creates a more uniform texture. Sandblasting cabinets powered by compressed air are usually used for this high-speed process.

This creates sandblasted surfaces in which a spherical medium forms a smooth, uniform surface, often leaving a "dim" or "satin" appearance. In some cases, the process also provides a tensile adjustment for the component.

If you are looking for a rough but consistent surface treatment, sandblasting technology is an excellent choice. Glass bead sandblasting is a popular 3D print surface treatment solution because fine glass beads produce dim or satin finishes, while thicker glass beads provide a rougher texture. This method can effectively mask defects, and, unlike other materials such as garnet or alumina, sandblasting retains the base color of the parts, thus leaving a brighter surface.

Tool used for sandblasting treatment

To get best from the blasting process, you need to make sure you use the most effective tools. This section will brief you on the various equipment and materials for this process.

Pearl light shock medium

glass drops

The choice of sandblasting medium is a crucial first step in the finishing process. Mechanmechanic can choose from various options based on the required surface finish, such as glass, steel balls, alumina and plastic media. Unlike corner alternatives, sandblasting uses a spherical medium to achieve a smoother surface.

Glass beads work for delicate surfaces and offer a soft fog face effect. Steel beads are used for more aggressive surface treatment and removal of corrosion and wool margins. The alumina medium achieves a balance between mild and abrasion. It is ideal for surface roughening and coating preparation. Plastic media is used on sensitive surfaces to provide a soft, abrfree surface effect. We discuss them further in this paper.

Sand blasting workflow

From the name you may have noticed that the device is the place for sandblasting. The cabinet





What are you looking for in the glass bead blasting cabinet?

Other important features of high-quality cabinets include:

01

Seamless cabinet seal

The cabinet must have good sealing inside. The best seal ensures that the debris and dust inside the cabinet do not leave the cabinet. Sandblasting dust and debris can pose multiple health risks. Inhaling the dust or having some slippery media on the floor can cause serious injuries.

02

View window protection

One aspect of the sandblasting cabinet that most people ignore is the observation window. Large windows will help you fully observe the parts and work in the cabinet. However, it is most important to remember the window protection. Over time, some glass beads may cause glass frost. Therefore, they can damage visibility and make it very poor. Therefore, installing a replaceable protective film on the window is a good practice to allow you to explode longer without problems.

03

Pearl light gloves

You wish to prioritize safety and comfort when performing the sandblasting process. This is where the gloves will work. These gloves are usually attached to the cabinet to protect your hands from abrasive explosions, while allowing you to work comfortably. In addition, they can also firmly fix the sandblasting gun, ensuring accuracy and safety.

04

Beaded gun

Another key component is the sandblasting gun. Blasting cannot be done without a spray gun. There are many kinds of gun designs, and some may be quite complex. The bead gun can be operated through the pedal or with the pedal. The gun choice depends on the user. However, a spray gun with foot pedals is usually more comfortable during long bursts. Holding a trigger spray gun for a long time can be tiring.

Type of sandblasting media

Mechanics employ a range of sandblasting media types to achieve a specific surface finish, each with unique characteristics and applications. We will help you understand the different media options and select the most effective one to achieve the results you want.

01

Glass marbles

Glass beads are versatile and versatile for their ability to produce clean, bright and uniform surface finish. They are made of leaded sodium calcium glass, are environmentally friendly, chemically inert and can be reused up to 30 times. Therefore, they are cost-effective options.

The spherical shape of these beads contributes to the shot shot effect, enhancing the surface of the blasted material. This makes them an excellent choice for applications where the parts must maintain their original size. They are suitable for surface cleaning, shot blasting, and semi-polishing applications. However, they may not be effective for extremely hard materials or paint preparation.

Glass beads are available in various sizes, ranging from thin (40-60) for a smoother surface to coarse (170-325) for more texture. Therefore, you can adapt them to different collation needs.

02

steel shot

This durable medium option for sandblasting processes comes in various sizes (S-70 to S930) and in the hardness range (40 to 62 Rc). Its high density and hardness make it suitable for heavy-duty applications. These applications include cleaning, rust removal, and shot blasting.

Circular steel particles produce a smoother surface than glass or sandblasting media, and different sizes achieve an adjustable surface texture. Steel balls can also produce better shot shot effect to generate compressive stress and eliminate stress on the metal surface. Furthermore, as a result of

03

alumina

This medium is robust and abrasive, and is characterized by its angular shape. Therefore, it is often an effective alternative to sandblasting. Its hardness and edges allow it to quickly cut and etch the hardest materials. Therefore, it is suitable for surface treatment, edge rounding, and achieving consistent finish. The roughness is related to the abrasive grain size used. Larger grinding produce faster etching and rougher surface effects. On the other hand, finer particles ularity produce a smoother surface and extend processing time.

Alumina sandblasting can produce a uniform fog surface effect. It is usually used before anodized to obtain anodized sandblasted parts with uniform finish. However, its appearance is dim, and the brown color of the medium may cause a discoloration. It is also not a suitable choice for plastic parts.

04

Plastic media

Urea is the most commonly used plastic sandblasting medium because of its mild and lightweight characteristics. It is made of angular plastic particles and is ideal for delicate parts or materials that require a non-abrasive cleaning process. Lightweight plastic particles accelerate to high speed, thus more effectively stripping the lightweight coating. In addition, urea and other plastic media are suitable for the operation of molding parts and flying side.

It is an excellent choice for stripping and gentle cleaning applications. Therefore, manufacturers usually choose this medium to treat delicate or sensitive surfaces that require a non-destructive cleaning process. However, the plastic medium is not suitable for decorative finishes. It does not produce the same indentation effect as the other media types.



Best sandblasting technique to get the best surface effect

No.1

The part of the sandblasting

Most sandblasting projects produce a dull surface with a slight satin gloss, as shown in the sandblasted surface finish chart. However, these finishes are usually not the optimal. Glass bead sandblasting has become increasingly popular in recent years, mainly due to its advantages in manufacturing.

Many people see glass beads as tools for repairing parts and often use them to remove rust, dirt and scale. While they do do that, they also promise to produce high-quality finishes. Now, let's explore some tips to help you achieve the best sandblasting results.

No.2

Bead light treatment was performed using a low pressure

The first technique is to lower the pressure of the sand blast machine, and the 50 PSI (3.5 bar) is usually a good starting point. You must note that the glass beads work best at low pressure. Therefore, the pressure should be kept as low as possible. This way, you can increase the residence time of the beads and get a better effective metal surface finish.

A 50 PSI pressure applied with a siphon jet will help to achieve optimal results. The beads were designed not to allow them to be cut. Instead, they are used to polish or polish parts. However, they are higher than other tumbling media. When you raise the pressure, the beads begin to break when they strike with the component. This way, you will crush the beads and generate higher processing costs.

In addition, crushing the glass beads into the parts at high pressure produces excess dust, debris, and sharp particles. The particles were trapped inside the cabinet and affected the remaining clean beads. Pollution inevitably occurs in this way, leading to a decline in finish quality. Due to the higher pressure on the beads at impact, many of the crushed particles are embedded in the surface of the parts. Therefore, you do not want to use HHP for internal engine parts or other critical components.

No.3

Remove all rust or oxide before sandblasting

Without stripping its oxide layer, good aluminum bead blasting effect cannot be achieved. The oxide layer is often too difficult to polish or polish. Furthermore, it may make the stain difficult to remove. Although there may be some gloss, it looks like some gloss stain. Please note that glass bidding will not help you peel off or remove the oxide layer. This is because their design does not allow them to cut.

Instead, it helps in using a sharp cutting abrasive to remove oxides or rust. Black Beauty alumina, broken glass, etc., to help you peel out of rust and oxide. Broken glass is preferred because it is a fast process, similar to silicon carbide or alumina. It is also very clean, leaving a beautiful shiny finish on the metal. No matter which abrasive you choose to remove oxides, materials with consistency are perfect. Some coarse braces with abrasive material can easily help you remove heavier scales.





Advantages and disadvantages of sandblasting treatment

Although sandblasting offers multiple advantages for the manufacturing field, there are some disadvantages to be considered. Here, we present the different advantages and disadvantages of the process.

merit

1Smooth surface finish

It achieves a very uniform surface finish, especially when using delicate glass beads. This uniformity is essential for applications that require precise surface roughness. An example is aerospace engineering, where sandblasted titanium components require a smooth surface to ensure minimum resistance and maximum performance.

2Non-abrasion process

This sandblasting method is a non-grinding process that maintains surface integrity and reduces the risk of damage. Unlike grinding methods, it does not remove the material or change the surface structure, making it ideal for precise or sensitive parts. This non-wear nature minimizes the risk of surface damage, scratches, or cracks, ensuring that the material remains intact.

3versatility

The versatility of sandblasting makes it suitable for a wide variety of materials, including metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites. The availability of various sandblasting media enables it to meet different surface finish requirements.

4Rust removal and corrosion

This process can remove the rust and corrosion of the metal surface, and ensure that the surface is clean and smooth. It also helps in preparation for further processing or coating. This is important for applications where surface integrity is critical, such as aviation engineering and medical equipment manufacturing.

5Painting preparation

Sandblasted surfaces provide an ideal basis for paint and coatings to achieve better paint adhesion and coating durability. The clean, smooth surface finish achieved through this process ensures a firm bond between the surface and the coating.

6environmental protection

Most sandblasting media are non-toxic and recyclable. Pleaded sodium calcium glass beads are a good example. They help to reduce waste and minimize the impact on the environment, making the process a better alternative than other grinding methods that may use more harmful materials.

7Precision cleaning

It can also be cleaned precisely without damaging delicate surfaces. It is suitable for restorative and sensitive applications, such as medical equipment manufacturing and aerospace engineering.

shortcoming

Despite its many benefits, you should note the following disadvantages of sandblasting treatment:

1Limited material removal

The relatively slow material removal rate of this process can be a challenge when dealing with thick coating or heavy rust. Multiple passes may be required to achieve the required cleanliness. In this case, more aggressive methods such as sandblasting or sandblasting may be more appropriate.

2surface contamination

If the process is not adequately controlled or cleaned subsequently, the residual abrasive particles may remain on the surface. Removing them thoroughly can be challenging and, if poorly managed, can lead to pollution problems.

3Surface finish changes

Although the process can produce a smooth surface, additional processes may be required to achieve precise surface finishing. This increases the complexity and time of the whole process.

1Media subdivision

Over time, sandblasting media may be damaged, less efficient, and replaced more frequently. This may affect the overall quality of the finish. Media damage can also lead to an increased cost, as more media may be needed to achieve the desired results.


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