Glass sandblasting

Glass Sandblasting

Sandblasting is a general term used to describe the propulsion of fine particles, at very high speed, in order to clean or grind a surface. The most frequently used material is sand, but there are also other materials used: fine sandstone particles, steel, copper, nutshells or even coconut shell pieces. Taking into account the risk of inhaling the dust during the process, the sandblasting activities are carefully controlled by wearing a protection equipment and providing appropriate ventilation. The occupational diseases occurred to those who worked with machines using sand as abrasive material led to the design and improvement of other machines using non-toxic products - aluminium oxide.

The first sandblasting process was patented in USA in 1870, being initially used for the preparation and cleaning of surfaces before painting. Since then, due to the technological progress, sandblasting began to be used in other fields, as well, such as the glass industry.

In the case of glass, sandblasting is a very frequently used technique. Initially, this process was performed manually, but it was very expensive and difficult, so that nowadays it is performed by high-performance machines, whose coordinates facilitate the sandblasting process. 

Glass Expert has a high-performance sandblasting machine, whose technical characteristics facilitate the process and enable the production of special models and grinding at different degrees. With the PLC system (computer system for the control and command of the sandblasting head) of the MHG sandblasting machine, the Glass Expert specialists can accurately control the pressure and quantity of aluminium oxide used for sandblasting. Thus, the sandblasting can also be performed with shades, both vertical and horizontal shades.

The sandblasting process depends on 3 components: the abrasive material, a compressed air installations and a pressure jet used to blast the abrasive material.

The grinding (sandblasting) effect, extremely interesting for glass used in interior decorations (doors, shower cabins, partitions, office partitioning systems, furniture etc) and many other, as it can create images, words and shapes both by adjusting the pressure used for blasting the abrasive material and by adjusting the blasting angle.

Moreover, there is a type of seal for sandblasting, a substance applied on the sandblasted area. It creates a barrier between the porous surface and the dust in the atmosphere and it can be applied on the mechanically sandblasted surfaces in order to offer protection against spots during the years.