Manufactured by: EMPIRE ABRASIVE EQUIPMENT COMPANY
2101 West Cabot Boulevard
Langhorne, PA 19047-1893
Phone: 215-752-8800, Fax: 215-752-9373
Empire equipment should be properly maintained per the operating instructions. For
peak performance of your equipment, use only genuine Empire replacement parts;
accept no substitutes! The use of non-Empire parts will void the warranty.
PARTS AND SERVICE
1-800-497-4543
To order Empire replacement parts, contact your local authorized Empire distributor.
For the name of your local distributor, call Empire Customer Service, 1-800-497-4543,
or fax us at 215-752-9373, or e-mail us on our website www.empire-airblast.com and
we will call you back.
Never use silica-based abrasives
in Empire blast systems.
CAUTION
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Empire Abrasive Equipment Company
Operating Instructions
for the
ProFormerTM Cabinet System
Suction and Pressure
Empire Abrasive Equipment Company
10/06/06
Page 3
Empire Abrasive Equipment Company
Table of Contents
Table of Contents..................................................................................................... 4
System ................................................................. 6
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Empire Abrasive Equipment Company
Introduction
Congratulations on your selection of the ProFormer
Abrasive Equipment Company. This manual is provided to assist you with the
unpacking, assembly, use, and maintenance of your ProFormer
Please read this manual carefully and keep it in the handy plastic pouch attached to
your system for future reference. If you have any questions about the operation or
maintenance of your equipment, contact your Empire distributor.
™
Cabinet System from Empire
™
Cabinet System.
Empire: The leader in air-blast technology.
Empire specializes in the design and manufacture of air-blast equipment, and has
continued as an industry leader of more than 50 years. Today, Empire produces the
most extensive line of air-blast products in the world. In addition to ProFormer
Empire Abrasive Equipment Company’s reputation as a leader in air-blast technology
is the result of meeting our customer’s demand for quality equipment and systems
that deliver increased productivity. We support our equipment with training, service,
and testing programs. When you need advice, assistance, or equipment on short
notice, our national network of distributors assures that help is nearby.
™
™
Portable
Figure 1. ProFormer
TM
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Cabinet System
Empire Abrasive Equipment Company
1.0 Installation
1.1 Hand Tools Required
The following tools are recommended for the mechanical installation of your
™
ProFormer
Cabinet system:
• 6” adjustable wrench
• 9/16” wrench or socket
• 14” Pipe wrenches
• Channel Lock Pliers
• medium Phillips head screwdriver
• medium flat-blade screwdriver
1.2 Preparing for Installation
Your ProFormer
electric power are all that need to be connected. The equipment must be placed on a
level surface. Do not install your ProFormer
conditions.
™
system is fully assembled. Compressed air, earth ground, and
™
system on a floor subject to wet
1.3 Getting Started
Step 1: Unwrap and remove the cabinet from the pallet.
Step 2: Using the built-in forklift channels at the bottom of the cabinet, move the
system to the installation location.
Step 3: Insure there is adequate space on both sides of the cabinet for full opening of
part loading/unloading and maintenance access doors. PF3642 cabinets require 37
inches and PF 4652 cabinets require 44 inches on each side of the cabinet.
1.4 Positioning the ProFormerTM System
Step 1: Place the cabinet and stabilize it by adjusting the leveling bolts to compensate
for any unevenness in the floor.
Step 2: Insure that there is adequate space at both sides of the system for easy access
to components such as the reclaimer on the left hand side and the dust drum and
dust collector on the right hand side. There must be adequate space for work pieces
to be easily loaded and unloaded through the cabinet doors.
Step 3: Leave a space of 6 to 8 inches behind the cabinet for the compressed air
supply line. There is a 2 ½ inch hole provided on the bottom right side of the system
back wall for air supply line access.
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Empire Abrasive Equipment Company
1.5 Electrical Connections
IMPORTANT
All electrical connections to the ProFormerTM cabinet should be made by a
qualified electrician and must adhere to the codes, standards, and procedures
specified by the authority having jurisdiction.
The customer is responsible for providing appropriate disconnecting means
adjacent to the equipment for each incoming power circuit.
The standard power supply for the ProFormer
240volts/60 cycle/single phase. Cabinets are also available pre-wired for the optional
power supplies listed in section 8.0 Options and Accessories.
The standard 220-240 volt single-phase system is supplied with a 10 foot, 4-wire line
cord which is connected to the cabinet light box. See Figure 3.
Canadian CSA approved single-phase cabinets have no line cord. Electrical
connections are made in the cabinet light box. See Figures 3.
All three-phase systems have no line cord. Electrical connections are made in the
transformer/contactor electrical box. See Figure 1.
If your system is a three-phase power supply, wire the system as shown in Figure 5.
Use the adjacent tables for the approximate current draw in amps for the voltage of
your system.
SINGLE-PHASE SINGLE SOURCE
SOURCE MOTOR CURRENT
110-120V/60HZ 1 ½ HP 23.0 A
220-240V/60HZ 1 ½ HP 13.0 A
220-240V/50HZ 1 ½ HP 15.0 A
THREE-PHASE SINGLE SOURCE
SOURCE MOTOR CURRENT
208V/60HZ 1 ½ HP 9.3 A
220-240V/60HZ 1 ½ HP 8.1 A
440-480V/60HZ 1 ½ HP 4.0 A
550-600V/60HZ 1 ½ HP 3.2 A
380V/50HZ 1 ½ HP 3.9 A
THREE-PHASE & SINGLE-PHASE DUAL SOURCE
SOURCE MOTOR CURRENT *
208V/60HZ 1 ½ HP 6.9 A
220-240V/60HZ 1 ½ HP 6.0 A
440-480V/60HZ 1 ½ HP 3.0 A
550-600V/60HZ 1 ½ HP 2.4 A
380V/50HZ 1 ½ HP 2.6 A
• The approximate single-phase current draw for all dual source systems is 3
amps at 110-120 VAC.
™
600 CFM, 1 ½ HP system is 220-
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Empire Abrasive Equipment Company
Figure 2. Electrical Connection Locations
The three-phase schematic shown in Figure 5 also appears on the back of the
transformer/contactor electrical box cover.
The 10 foot, 4-wire line cord is located above the cabinet light box. The single-phase
schematic shown in Figure 4 also appears on the back of the light box cover.
Figure 3. Single-Phase Terminal Board Access
For Canadian CSA approved single-phase cabinets, remove the four screws from the
cabinet light box cover. Move the cover to the side and pull the attached terminal
board plate from the light box as shown in Figure 3.
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Empire Abrasive Equipment Company
IMPORTANT
Before connecting power, check that the voltage requirements of your
ProFormer system are consistent with the voltage available at the installation
site.
Figure 4. 220-240 Volt Single-Phase
Note: The transformer is not included with dual-source systems.
Figure 5. Three-Phase Option
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Empire Abrasive Equipment Company
1.6 Compressed Air Connection
IMPORTANT
To operate properly, your ProFormerTM system requires clean, dry air. Moisture
or oil in the compressed air supply can contaminate the abrasive, which can
prevent it from flowing freely and cause inefficient blasting. Though your
system is equipped with a general-purpose filter to remove small amounts of
condensed water and oil from compressed air supply, this filter is not designed
to clean grossly contaminated air.
Step 1: Using the following two charts, determine the proper air volume needed for
your ProFormer
Step 2: The volume of air required for efficient operation of your system depends on
the size of the nozzle you are using and the desired blast pressure. The chart lists the
minimum air requirements in SCFM for various nozzles and pressures.
¼” nozzle, 1/8” air jet 12 17 21 26
5/16” nozzle*, 5/32” air jet 19 27 34 42
3/8” nozzle, 3/16” air jet 29 39 50 62
7/16” nozzle, 7/32” air jet 38 52 66 80
Step 3: Use the chart below as a guide to determine the size of the compressed air line
needed for your ProFormer
available, the supply air line to the system must be large enough to prevent friction
losses that create pressure drops which will reduce blast pressure and efficiency.
Step 4: The customer is to provide and install an air supply shut off valve. This
should be a three-way valve that will bleed off all trapped down stream compressed air
from the cabinet. The valve must also be able to be locked when closed.
Line Size (in) Length of Air Line (ft) Air Volume (SCFM)
™
system.
AIR REQUIREMENTS (SCFM) FOR SUCTION BLAST
40 psi 60 psi 80 psi 100 psi
AIR REQUIREMENTS (SCFM) FOR PRESSURE BLAST
40 psi 60 psi 80 psi 100 psi
™
system. Even when there is sufficient compressed air
¾ Up to 95 13 to 38
1 95 to 190 38 to 59
1-1/4 190 to 350 59 to 85
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Empire Abrasive Equipment Company
1.7 Earth Ground
An Earth Ground stud is provided at the bottom right side on the enclosure back wall.
It is important to connect the ProFormer
™
system to an Earth Ground to bleed off
static electricity which may be generated while blasting. The Earth Ground may also
reduce the discomfort an operator may experience when static electricity is
discharged.
The Earth Ground conductors may be insulated or bare. Note that defects are more
easily detected during visual inspections of bare conductors.
The minimum wire size is dictated by mechanical strength rather than current
carrying capacity. Flexible conductors should be used when frequent connecting and
disconnecting of the Earth Ground is anticipated.
1.8 Installation Check
Step 1: Check that all pipe and hose connections are tightly fastened and air tight.
Check that all safety pins are properly installed in all quick couplings.
Step 2: Check that all electrical box covers are securely installed. Turn on the plant
compressed air supply to the system.
Step 3: Check that the dust drum under the dust collector has been installed
properly. It must be sitting squarely on the dust drum platform and centered under
the cover. Set the dust collector pulse pressure regulator to 40 psi. Check that the
optional fan silencer is fully opened.
Step 4: Turn the cabinet snap switch to the On position. The cabinet lights will
illuminate and the dust collector fan will start. Check that the fan is rotating in the
correct direction.
CAUTION
Disable and lock out power sources before performing service or maintenance
work. Do not look into the fan outlet to determine the correct motor rotation.
Check that the fan exhaust is clear of tools and free of debris before checking
fan rotation. To avoid personal injury, stay clear of the fan exhaust.
Step 5: Set the blast air pressure regulator to the desired pressure. The blast pressure may be set as low as 20 psi, but do not exceed 125 psi.
Step 6: Insert both hands into the cabinet gloves and firmly grasp the suction gun or
pressure nozzle. Step on the foot treadle. The blast should start. After a few seconds,
the airflow from the nozzle will stabilize. Blast will stop when the foot treadle is
released.
Step 7: If applicable, press each dust collector pulse button once with the dust
collector on to insure pulse function.
The optional Photohelic control pulsing of the dust collector filters is automatic.
Adjust both red needles to below zero psi. The black needle must rise above both red
needles to activate the pulse. An increase in the gauge zero adjustment may be
required to test this function. After a successful test, the gauge setpoints should be
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Empire Abrasive Equipment Company
set at a value of 2 psi for minimum, and 4 psi for the maximum pressure. When the
system is off, reset this gauge to zero.
Step 8: Turn the cabinet snap switch to the Off position. The cabinet lights will
extinguish and the dust collector fan will stop. The ProFormer
™
system is now ready
for media loading and part processing.
2.0 Equipment Operation
2.1 Loading Media
There are two methods for loading media into the ProFormer
the media level in the system before adding additional media. See section 4.1 for Media Selection and Use.
The suction system hopper should be filled to the bottom of the reclaimer screen. The
pressure system vessel may be filled to the base of the sealing plunger.
Total media capacity by weight for the suction and pressure ProFormer
shown for popular media in the table below.
Method 1: With the cabinet switch OFF, media may be loaded through the removable
reclaimer access door. The reclaimer is located inside the left component access door.
After loading the media, reinstall the reclaimer door and insure an airtight seal.
Method 2: With the snap switch ON and the dust collector running, load media
through the media load station inside the right cabinet door. Place the appropriate
quantity of media between the cabinet cone and media load station baffle. The system
will slowly add the new media.
Glass Beads Aluminum Oxide Steel Shot or Grit
Suction 10 lb. 15 lb. 25 lb. 5 lb.
Pressure 75 lb. 100 lb. 200 lb. 30 lb.
IMPORTANT
Be careful not to overfill pressure systems. Overfilling will cause malfunction
and premature wear. See section 5.1 Daily Maintenance.
CAUTION
If your application requires aggressive media, such as aluminum oxide, garnet, or
steel grit, it is recommended that you use optional heavy-duty ducting,
reclaimer lining, and DI-CARB or BORON nozzles to prevent premature wear.
Empire strongly recommends using boron carbide nozzles when blasting with
Aluminum oxide, which is the most abrasive media.
If these options are not included with your system, they can be added. Optional
Rubber curtains for interior cabinet surfaces are also available. Consult your
Empire distributor for details.
™
system. Always check
™
system is
Walnut Shells or
Plastic
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Empire Abrasive Equipment Company
2.2 Start Up
Step 1: Check that all pipe and hose connections are tightly fastened and air tight.
Check that all safety pins are properly installed in all quick couplings.
Step 2: Perform maintenance checks per section 5.0 Maintenance.
Step 3: Check that the dust drum under the dust collector is empty and has been
installed properly. It must be sitting squarely on the dust drum platform and centered
under the cover. The dust drum and cover must create an air tight seal.
Step 4: Turn on the plant compressed air supply. Turn the cabinet snap switch to the
On position. The cabinet lights will illuminate and the dust collector fan will start.
Step 5: Place the parts to be blast treated inside the blast cabinet. The parts must be
free of oil, grease, and moisture. Close and latch the cabinet load doors.
Step 6: Set the blast air pressure regulator to the desired pressure. Recommended
blast pressure ranges for various media types are listed in the table in section 4.1 Media Selection and Use. Do not exceed 125 psi blast pressure.
2.3 Blasting
Step 1: Insert each hand into a cabinet glove and grip the suction gun or pressure
nozzle assembly firmly. Aim the nozzle at the part to be blast treated.
Step 2: Step on the foot treadle to start the blast. After a few seconds the abrasive
flow will stabilize and you will be ready for blasting.
Step 3: Do not pump the foot treadle. It will decrease blast efficiency and cause
premature wear of system components.
Step 4: Hold the gun or nozzle at a 90-degree angle to the part at a distance that
produces the fastest results. This distance may vary from 3 to 18 inches, depending
on the work piece and the desired finish. See section 4.2 Blast Pattern.
Step 5: During the blasting process, periodically check the Minihelic pressure gauge
located above and to the right of the cabinet window. This gauge indicates the
condition of the filters. If the gauge pressure is 4 psi or greater, clean the filters as
outlined in section 2.4 Dust Collector Cartridge Cleaning.
Step 6: The reclaimer screen will require periodic cleaning. The frequency of cleaning
will depend on the volume of debris produced.
Step 7: For pressure systems, all the media in the pressure vessel will be used up
after an extended period of blasting. The operator must release the foot treadle to stop
the blast and depressurize the vessel. After a wait of approximately 2 minutes, media
will fill the pressure vessel and blasting can resume.
Step 8: When blasting of the part is complete, blast additional parts or follow the
instructions in section 2.5 Equipment Shut Down to shut the system down.
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Empire Abrasive Equipment Company
2.4 Dust Collector Cartridge Cleaning
IMPORTANT
Never pulse clean the filters when the system is off. If dust is visible exiting the
dust collector fan housing, stop blasting and service the collector.
Pushbutton Control: During the blasting process, periodically check the Minihelic
pressure gauge located above and to the right of the cabinet window. This gauge
indicates the condition of the filters. If the gauge pressure is 4 psi or greater, the
filters must be cleaned. Press and release one pushbutton which will clean one of the
cartridges. Wait 10 seconds. Press and release the other pushbutton which will clean
the other cartridge. Continue this process alternating pushbuttons until the pressure
is reduced to 2 psi.
Photohelic Control Option: This option pulse cleans the dust collector filters
automatically when they need cleaning. The gauge high limit red needle must be set
at 4 psi as the maximum operating limit. The gauge low limit red needle must be set
at 2 psi as the minimum operating limit. The pulse pressure must be set at 40 psi.
IMPORTANT
Always use proper safety and protective equipment when disposing of collector
waste. Dispose of this waste properly.
WARNINGS
Explosive Dust: Explosive dust is generated from blast media, removed coatings
and substrates. An extreme concentration of dust may combust if ignited by
spark or flame. As a precaution, clean the system and empty the dust collector
often. Change media that has excessive dust concentration.
Emptying the Dust Collector: Always wear an appropriate dust mask when
emptying the dust collector and changing filters. Empty the dust collector daily.
2.5 Equipment Shut Down
Step 1: Release the foot treadle. The blast will stop. Remove the blast treated parts
from the blast cabinet.
Step 2: Check the Minihelic pressure gauge for the condition of the duct collector
filters. If the gauge pressure is 4 psi or greater, the filters must be cleaned. Press and
release one pushbutton which will clean one of the cartridges. Wait 10 seconds.
Press and release the other pushbutton which will clean the other cartridge. Continue
this process alternating pushbuttons until the pressure is reduced to 2 psi.
Step 3: Turn the cabinet snap switch to the Off position. Empty the dust collector
waste drum. Replace the drum squarely on the dust drum platform and centered
under the cover. The dust drum and cover must create an air tight seal.
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Empire Abrasive Equipment Company
3.0 Equipment Adjustments
3.1 Suction System Media Flow Adjustment
The ProFormer
control the flow of media to the suction blast gun. The regulator is located at the
bottom of the storage hopper assembly inside the left component access door.
The amount of media entering the hose is controlled by how far the media hose is
inserted into the regulator. For normal operation, approximately ½ of the air inlet port
is blocked by the media hose. This may vary slightly when changing media size nozzle
size, and/or blast pressure.
To find a uniform media flow, loosen the thumbscrew and slide the media hose into
the SAR-2 regulator to increase and withdraw the hose to decrease media flow at the
nozzle. To determine if media is flowing, look through the media regulator air inlet
while the gun is operating. Listen for the sound of the blast to be smooth and
constant.
™
suction blast system is equipped with the SAR-2 media regulator to
3.2 Pressure System Media Flow Adjustment
The ProFormer
Regulator which is installed at the bottom discharge port of the pressure vessel. By
rotating the T-handle, media flow through the regulator and out of the blast nozzle
may be adjusted.
Step 1: Rotate the T-handle counter-clockwise until there is no resistance. Reverse
direction and make three full turns of the handle.
Step 2: As the T-handle is turned clockwise, the media flow through the regulator will
be reduced. While the system is blasting, make final adjustments in ½ turn, ¼ turn,
or 1/8 turn increments.
Optimum and most efficient blast is when the media exiting the blast nozzle is
just visible. Sure-Flo® Media Regulator adjustment may vary slightly when
media size, nozzle size, and/or blast pressure is changed. There are occasions
when blast pressure, media, and nozzle size requirements will not allow the SureFlo® Media Regulator to be properly adjusted to the desired media flow rate.
Refer to the tag attached to the regulator T-handle for additional instructions
and see section 4.0 Suggestions for Efficient Blasting for helpful hints.
™
pressure blast system is supplied with the patented Sure-Flo® Media
IMPORTANT
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Empire Abrasive Equipment Company
3.3 Reclaimer Adjustment
All ProFormer
retained by the reclaimer. The reclaimer is supplied with a “tune-able” secondary air
adjustment. When the band is properly adjusted reusable media will be returned to
the media storage hopper. Unwanted dust and broken down media (fines) will be
removed from the system and conveyed to the dust collector. See Figure 6.
Empire’s reclaimer design has vertical slots with a solid tuning band. The original
ProFormer
Fine tuning adjustments of both reclaimers are similar. Just remember to move the
band in the direction of the reclaimer slots; horizontal slots rotate the band, vertical
slots slide band up or down.
The tuning band is joined at both ends by a bolt and wing nut that must be loosened
before the band can be adjusted. The slot pattern around the reclaimer body has one
slot omitted. The joined ends of the tuning band must be located over the area of the
omitted slot.
Dust collectors require a coating of dust on the filter cartridges to achieve
maximum filter efficiency, also known as “seasoning”. The filters are seasoned
when the static pressure reading on the collector gauge is 2 or greater.
Step 1: Start with no reclaimer slots visible. Adjust the band in one direction until
1/16” of opening is created between the band and reclaimer slots.
Place a reference pencil mark on reclaimer body (and a corresponding reference
mark on the tuning band if horizontal slots).
Step 2: Operate the blast system for at least one hour.
Step 3: Turn the cabinet snap switch to OFF.
Step 4: Inspect the dust collector waste drum for reusable media.
Step 5: If no media is found in the waste, adjust the tuning band to expose 1/16”
more reclaimer body slot area.
Step 6: Make a new reference mark on the reclaimer body.
Step 7: Repeat Steps 2 through 7 until a small amount of media is found in the dust
collector waste. Adjustment is complete.
™
reclaimers can be adjusted to control the average size of media
™
reclaimers have horizontal slots in both the reclaimer and tuning band.
NOTE
HELPFUL HINT
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Empire Abrasive Equipment Company
NOTE
As a new system is used, the filters become coated with dust, “seasoned” and the
airflow in the recovery system will decease to the normal operating rate. This
will affect previous reclaimer tuning band adjustments.
If visibility becomes poor inside the cabinet when blasting, there is too much dust
mixed with the blast media. The reclaimer tuning band should be re-adjusted.
Follow Step 2 though 7.
NOTE
For systems with large quantities of dust mixed with blast media, all dust and
media should be removed from the system and new media installed.
Step 8: If more than a small amount of media is found in the dust collector waste, additional reclaimer tuning band adjustment may be required. Follow Steps 9
through 13.
Step 9: Adjust the tuning band back to the previous reference mark on the reclaimer body, reducing the opening between the reclaimer and the band.
Step 10: After operating the blast system for at least one (1) hour, turn the cabinet
power switch OFF. Inspect the dust drum waste for reusable media.
Step 11: If no media is found in the waste, adjust the tuning band to expose 1/16”
less reclaimer body slot area.
Step 12: Make a new reference mark on the reclaimer body.
Step 13: Repeat Steps 8 through 13 until a small amount of media is found in the
dust collector waste. Adjustment is complete.
The schematic diagrams in Figure 6 illustrate:
(1) the basic operation of the system.
(2) the air and media flow before and after blasting.
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