For a blast cabinet, size the compressor from the nozzle first, then choose a dryer that handles its full flow, a receiver that absorbs start-ups and filters suited to the finish. With a 5 mm nozzle, a 15 kW 4-in-1 compressor does it all. With a 6 mm nozzle, you move up to a 22 kW screw compressor and build the chain part by part.
Step 1. The cabinet's air demand
Add up everything that uses air in the cabinet: the blasting nozzle or gun, the blow gun that dusts off parts, and sometimes a vibrator or a door cylinder. Take the figures from the cabinet manual. Our page on the sandblasting compressor gives typical air use by nozzle diameter.
Example A, 5 mm nozzle. Nozzle ≈ 1,500 L/min + blow gun ≈ 150 L/min = 1,650 L/min. With a 25% margin for nozzle wear: ≈ 2,060 L/min.
Example B, 6 mm nozzle. Nozzle ≈ 2,400 L/min + blow gun ≈ 150 L/min = 2,550 L/min. With a 25% margin: ≈ 3,190 L/min.
Step 2. The compressor
For example A, the K 150 delivers 2.2 m³/min at 8 bar, or 2,200 L/min. It combines compressor, 340 L receiver, refrigerated dryer and filtration, so steps 3 and 4 are already covered.
For example B, the S 220 PM delivers 3.6 m³/min at 8 bar. It comes without a receiver or dryer, so you add them. Our article 4-in-1 or standalone compressor compares the two approaches.
Step 3. The dryer
The dryer must handle the compressor's maximum flow, not just the cabinet's. With the S 220 PM, the 22 kW refrigerated dryer is matched to that power. An undersized dryer lets water through on hot days, and summer is often when the abrasive starts to stick.
Why it matters in a cabinet: the abrasive runs in a closed loop. Water that gets in once stays in the recycled media, makes it clump and clogs the cabinet's separator.
Step 4. The receiver
The receiver is a buffer. It covers the surge when the operator presses the pedal and cuts the number of compressor starts. For its size, use our air receiver calculator with your compressor's flow, and choose from our air receivers. A pressure vessel is subject to installation and inspection rules, covered in our guide to air receiver regulations.
Fit it with an automatic condensate drain: it is the low point of the circuit, where water collects.
Step 5. The filters
Our compressors are oil-lubricated. After the dryer, fine filters hold back oil aerosols and particles. This is essential if the blasted parts then go on to painting or powder coating. The air class is set with our technicians under ISO 8573-1, explained in our guide to air quality.
In which order to install the chain?
A common layout for example B:
- Screw compressor.
- Receiver, with its automatic drain.
- Refrigerated dryer.
- Fine filters.
- Cabinet air inlet.
A receiver placed before the dryer cools the air and catches part of the water, which takes load off the dryer.
Traps specific to blast cabinets
A compressor in the dust. Never set the compressor next to the cabinet or its dust collector. Put it in a separate, ventilated room. Our article on the compressor room sets out the installation rules.
The hose. Keep the link between the air chain and the cabinet short and large-bore. Every metre of narrow hose lowers the pressure at the nozzle.
Servicing. A screw compressor's first service is at 500 hours, then every 1,500 hours, with a reminder shown on the controller.
To size your cabinet, send its manual with a quote request: we check the compressor, dryer and receiver with you.
For your trade: Compressor for sandblasting.