5.0 Start-Up Guidelines
5.1Cleaning Out and Preparation of New Blast Equipment (FOD Prevention)
- Run small amounts of media (100 Lbs +-) through system to remove
metal shavings from equipment caused during manufacturing or
installation of system.
- Do not overload system. Use only enough media to run through
and clean equipment.
- Media should be recycled several times through system to insure
all metal particles are removed. Add additional media and repeat
process if metal particles are still present.
- Inspect media coming from the nozzle for metal particles – Recommend
blasting into barrel or other collection drum for inspection
of media. Use magnet to inspect for metal particles.
- Inspect the systems magnetic separator for particles and clean
as required.
- Recommend removing all media used for this exercise prior
to start-up. Place into trash barrel and discard due to potential
metal particles
in mix.
5.2 Calibrate Blast Pressure (Nozzle Pressure)
- The blast pressure displayed on the pressure regulator at the
blast pot is not the actual pressure at the nozzle. There is a
pressure
differential (pressure drop) between the regulator pressure
and the nozzle pressure.
- The PSI for the metal bond deflash process range
from 30 PSI to 40 PSI. Nozzle pressures for other applications,
including aircraft
paint removal, range from 20 to 45 PSI.
- Utilize a needle gauge at the nozzle to calibrate correlation
between regulator pressure and nozzle pressure. Recommend recording
and
displaying pressure numbers in the blast area. Recommend recording
regulator pressure differential at various PSI in 5 PSI increments..
Normally there is a 5 PSI to 10 PSI pressure drop at the nozzle
but this should be verified.
6.0 New Operator Process and EquipmentReview
- Topics to be reviewed with operators prior to using process
6.1 General Discussion
- Equipment Review
- Nozzles
- Controls/Switches
- Couplings
- Blast Hoses
- Media Feed Valve
- Blast Pot
- Pressure Vessel Fundamentals
- Inlet/Exhaust Valve Functions
- Cyclone Separator
- Screens
- Metallic Separator
- Deionizer
- Air compressor
- Dry Dryer
- Media Storage Hoppers
- Preventive Maintenance
- Required Service to Equipment
- Basics of Abrasive Blasting on Aerospace Substrates
- Fundamentals of coating removal
- Coatings and Paint
- Substrate Types
- Media Flow
- Air Pressure
- Impingement Angle
- Distance to Surface
- Operator Technique
- Operational and Safety Issues
- Operational Start-up and Shut-Down
- Blast Area Management
- Facility Requirements (EPA, OSHA, Local Regulations)
- Blasting Protocol
- Equipment Safety Check List
- Housekeeping Requirements
- Safety Considerations
- Media Storage
- Operator Protection
- NIOSH and OSHA Regulations
- Breathing Air Certification
- Protection Clothing
- Shoes
- Gloves
- Medical Considerations
- Emergency Situations
6.2 Process Familiarization and Training
- Operators should be shown each area and step of operation as reviewed
in the General Discussion section. At minimum it should include:
- Facility
- Blast Equipment
- Masking
- Operator Safety Gear
- Operator Technique
- Media Management
- Operational Safety
- Housekeeping Requirements
- Each operator should display a full understanding of all pre-blast
tasks by actually doing each required step of operation
- Each operator should be Breathing Air Certified prior to blasting
- Each operator should commence blasting on scrap/discarded parts
and shall continue until operator displays a full understanding
of the blasting task
- The operator should display ability to remove coating in accordance
with specifications.
- Operator must display a full understanding of safety concerns and
shall not take any action that may endanger other operators.
- A Management Plan covering all key areas impacting the blast equipment
and process should be constructed to insure the continuance of
a safe and productive environment.
† - Envirostrip® and eStrip™ are registered trademarks
of ADM/Ogilvie. |
ADM/Ogilvie provide no warranty nor indemnity to users
and expressly exclude 1) all indemnities arising in law or otherwise
in respect of the media supplied under a purchase agreement and, 2)
any other warranty, express or implied including without limitation
and, implied warranty of safety or fitness for a particular purpose
arising in law of otherwise in respect of the media supplied to the
purchaser. User recognizes and acknowledges responsibility for knowing,
understanding, and satisfying all applicable safety regulations and
environmental laws concerning dust contamination and exposure. User
personnel and environment should be protected with proper engineering
controls.
The information contained herein is correct to the best of
our knowledge. The recommendations or suggestions contained in
these guidelines are made without guarantee or representation as
to results.
Our responsibility for claims arising from breach of warranty,
negligence, or otherwise is limited to the purchase price of the
material. Freedom
to use any patent owned by ADM/Ogilvie or others is not to be inferred
from any statement contained herein. |
