Grit blast cabinet release

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In this post, I would like to discuss grit blast cabinet release. This is a term coined for something akin to releasing a cnc machine to start full production based upon inspection of the first article produced. Grit blast cabinet release therefore is very much a part of the quality control aspect of the process. Especially in today’s age of competitive manufacturing where customers expect quality to be a given, grit blast cabinet release concepts can go a long way in ensuring quality in the abrasive grit blasting process.

So what is the definition of grit blast cabinet release and what are the parameters that will form the grit blast cabinet release mechanism? Well, let us deal with them one by one. Essentially, the grit blast cabinet release mechanism is defined as a written procedure that will detail a checklist with items to be checked off prior to releasing the station for full production. Such a mechanism should be put in place before the start of every new job. And if it is a job that runs beyond one shift, then the mechanism must be restarted at the beginning of every shift.

The following parameters are recommended to be included in the grit blast cabinet release checklist. Firstly, does the operator have all the written instructions for the job at hand. Secondly, are the pressures and stand-off distances properly set. Is the correct grit blast media being used. Is a representative sample blasted with the same parameters visually acceptable.Is the surface roughness on a representative sample as measured by a profilometer correct within the specifications. Is the first actual piece blasted depicting proper masking cut off requirements. If the answers to all of the items listed above are acceptable, then the grit blast cabinet is said to have been released for production.

If any of the items falter, then production should not be allowed to go on until a re-evaluation of the items has been performed and found to be acceptable. This may sound like a lot, but the quality of your organization hinges on producing quality hardware every step of the way and the business of your organization hinges on the quality of the hardware that your organization ships.