The W.Granowski Pty Ltd Slab Etch airless blast machine has been developed to achieve a non-slip surface for concrete pavers. The Slab etch machine can also be used to give a soft surface texture to natural rock such as granite. The slabs of material are placed on a conveyor, transporting them into the blast cabinet where the airless abrasive impeller wheel blast will achieve the desired finish.
The most popular version of the Slab Etch machine handles slabs of material up to 600mm x 600mm and 80mm thick. These slabs are positioned vertically at a slight backward angle so that residual abrasive can fall off the material and into the abrasive recycling system.
An alternative design of machine allows for larger items such as concrete kerbstones to be blasted on multiple faces. The slabs are placed horizontally on a rubber belt conveyor which transports them into the blast chamber and through the blast stream of one or two abrasive wheels.
In either case for a standard Slab Etch machine, the slabs are loaded manually, or with client supplied lifting aids, onto the conveyor which passes through the machine to the exit vestibule where they are unloaded and ready for packing and despatch.
The blast wheel for the Slab Etch machine is provided with an electronic speed inverter which provides control of the rotational speed of the airless abrasive impeller wheel, enabling infinitely variable finishes to be achieved. In addition, the transporting conveyor speed is also variable using a DC controller inverter.
The abrasive reclaim system comprises a hopper, bucket elevator and abrasive separator with airwash and rotary screen to remove any large pieces of foreign matter that may break away from the slabs. A dust collection system suitable for severe dust applications is fitted to the machine, ensuring adequate ventilation and a dust-free work environment.
W.Granowski Pty Ltd is the Australian leader in blast industry technological advances and now recommends use of stainless steel abrasive to etch concrete pavers, alleviating the problem of iron oxide bloom due to carbon steel abrasive use.
