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5. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE MACHINERY
The Wetblast machine is water and media based cleaning machine that combines the joint action of
the water, media, detergent and compressed air used to accelerate the water and media to clean,
degrease, polish and remove corrosion from parts.
The Wetblast machine is designed for cleaning, degreasing and surface preparation of a wide variety
of parts depending on the media that is used in the machine. Do not use the machine for a different
purpose other than that specified by your application when purchasing/renting the machine.
NOTE: With the Wetblast, use only Storm Metal Guard, a rust inhibitor and media specified by the
manufacturer. Use only degreasing agents and media recommended and approved by the
manufacturer.
The part is loaded into the machine and placed on the work bed to be cleaned/blasted. The water
and media is mixed and pumped to the blast nozzle at the end of a flexible hose, compressed air is
also used to accelerate the impact of the water and media. This process is activated via a foot switch
which engages the pump and air solenoid and allows the user to direct the high-pressure
water/media based cleaning agent towards the part to be cleaned. There is also a water rinse off
gun to help rinse off the media from the cleaned parts, this is pumped from a closed loop tank air
operated pump through a trigger operated hand gun. There is a filter paper used on the closed loop
tank to help reduce contamination. The machine uses two LED lights for better visibility by the user
during operation. There is a wiper on the viewing screen and a screen wash pipe to allow clean
filtered water to assist in keeping the screen clean during blasting. There is a needle valve on the
machine to set the desired amount of water for the screen wash.
The blast area is concealed within the machine and is fitted with a door interlock for the users
safety. There are two/four integrated gloves on the respective ports which allow the handling of the
blast gun and the components being cleaned and protects the users hands from the cleaning agent
and abrasive and other waste. In order to keep the accumulation of media and dirt on the work bed
and walls it is advisable to use the rinse gun to wash down the inside of the machine.
There is a small switch control panel on the front of the machine which has the light on/off switch,
reset button and the emergency stop button. There is also a pressure gauge and pressure regulator
on the left leg. The pressure gauge is used to adjust the working pressure depending on what finish
is desired, normal operating pressure is 4 bar.
In the bottom of the machine below the work bed is the pump housing and agitation nozzle. When
the pump is activated it pumps water through a T piece which sends the slurry mix to the blast gun
and the agitation nozzle, the agitation nozzle stirs the water and media so the correct mix gets to the
blast gun.
An electrical box is on the back of the machine. There is a lockable isolator on the electrical panel.
Once the main isolator is switched on the rest of the machine is controlled through the small control
panel on the front right leg of the machine. The mains isolator must be in easy reach of the operator
at all times.
