Bead Blast

Bead blasting uses compressed air to propel abrasive beads at high speed onto the surface of a workpiece. The impact of the beads removes surface contaminants and creates a uniform matte texture with the desired surface roughness. Bead blasting can improve surface cleanliness, enhance the adhesion of subsequent coatings, remove minor machining marks, and create a consistent decorative finish. It is commonly used for CNC-machined aluminum, stainless steel, copper, and other metal parts.

Glass beads are the primary abrasive media used for conventional bead blasting of CNC parts. Compared with more aggressive abrasives, glass beads provide a relatively gentle and uniform surface treatment, making them suitable for both cosmetic finishing and light surface cleaning.
Glass beads are commonly used for aluminum, stainless steel, copper, and other metal parts where a fine, uniform matte finish is required. The final appearance depends on factors such as bead size, blasting pressure, blasting distance, and processing time.

For conventional CNC bead blasting, 100 mesh glass beads are used as the standard specification. Depending on actual blasting capacity and production requirements, 120 mesh may be used. Unless otherwise specified, the abrasive mesh should not be lower than 100 mesh.

4.1. Suction-Type Dry Bead Blasting

A suction-type dry bead blasting machine uses compressed air to create negative pressure inside the blast gun. This negative pressure draws glass beads into the gun through the media hose. The compressed air then accelerates the beads and propels them through the nozzle onto the workpiece surface.
In this system, compressed air provides both the media feeding force and the jet acceleration force.

4.2. Pressure-Type Dry Bead Blasting

A pressure-type dry bead blasting machine stores glass beads in a pressurized vessel. Compressed air pressurizes the vessel and forces the glass beads into the media hose. The beads are then further accelerated by compressed air and discharged through the nozzle onto the workpiece surface.
Compared with suction-type systems, pressure-type bead blasting provides more direct media delivery and is suitable for applications requiring higher blasting efficiency or more consistent surface treatment.

4.3. Wet Bead Blasting

Wet bead blasting uses a mixture of glass beads and water as the blasting medium. A slurry pump delivers the mixture to the blast gun, while compressed air accelerates the slurry and propels it through the nozzle onto the workpiece surface.
Wet bead blasting can reduce dust generation and provide a relatively smooth and uniform surface finish. It is suitable for applications where surface quality and process cleanliness are important.

• Surface Cleaning: Removes light oxidation, dirt, oil, and machining residues from the workpiece surface.
• Machining Mark Reduction: Helps reduce the visual appearance of minor machining marks and creates a more uniform surface texture.
• Matte Surface Finishing: Produces a consistent matte or satin-like appearance on aluminum, stainless steel, copper, and other metals.
• Surface Preparation: Creates a suitable surface condition for subsequent processes such as painting, powder coating, and other finishing treatments.
• Cosmetic Finishing: Improves the visual consistency of CNC-machined parts and provides a clean, uniform appearance.
• CNC Part Finishing: Commonly used for electronic housings, equipment enclosures, mechanical components, decorative metal parts, and other CNC-machined products.