LS Industrial Systems MB-2000 User manual

LS Industries, Inc. 710 E 17th St Wichita, KS 67214 USA
www.lsindustries.com
MB-2000
MINI BLASTER
Instruction Manual & Parts List

i
LS Industries, 2012
710 E 17th St
Wichita, KS 67214
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]
www.lsindustries.com

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Table of Contents
1. About the Mini Blaster.......................................... 1
2. Safety Considerations............................................ 2
3. Installation............................................................ 6
4. Shot Selection........................................................ 8
5. Operation............................................................... 9
6. Maintenance.......................................................... 12
7. Troubleshooting.................................................... 16
8. Warranty................................................................ 17
9. Appendix............................................................... 18

ABOUT THE MINI BLASTER
1
The MB-2000
he LS MB-2000 mini blaster is an airless shot blasting machine
designed to rapidly and economically remove paint, scale, rust and
other surface imperfections from a variety of forgings, castings,
welded assemblies and other small metal parts. The combined blaster and
dust collector give the power of a shot blasting system without the space
and cost requirements of a dedicated dust collection system.
The MB-2000 mini blaster is capable of quickly and efficiently cleaning
small metal parts because the abrasive used in the machine is constantly
recycled. After shot is thrown toward these parts inside the blast chamber,
it is channeled back to the impeller where it is again thrown against the
parts in the basket. This method of cleaning eliminates the disposal and
handling problems inherent in caustic cleaning operations.
All of LS Industries’ blasters are high quality devices designed for long
service. Because of the inherently destructive nature of the mini blaster,
LS Industries has used high quality, wear resistant materials in the
construction of the blaster and has also designed it to be easy to maintain.
Quality shot must always be used in the blaster to prevent excessive dust
creation that can overload the dust collector.
1
T

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
2
Mini Blaster Safety
The MB-2000 mini blaster has been designed and manufactured with
safety as a primary consideration. However, due to the nature of any
industrial machine, the potential for injury can be created by misuse,
incorrect operation or improper maintenance.
LS Industries has included safety mechanisms in the design of the
mini blaster and has provided product information in this manual to
prevent injuries. LS cannot be held responsible for injury to persons
or property through the use or misuse of LS Industries’ equipment.
Please note the following warnings before and during the operation
of the mini blaster.
Dust Collector Safety Warnings
2 2
CAUTION
Study and understand all operating procedures and safety
instructions in this manual as well as any literature that shipped with
the blaster before operation.
WARNING
If dust bags or cartridges are not cleaned regularly, an explosion
hazard can be created in the dust collection chamber. Congested
dust bags or cartridges will restrict airflow, and if operating at high
enough temperatures the metal dust in the bags can reach the flash
point and explode. Use extreme caution when blasting hot parts.
WARNING
Dust in the dust collector can smolder or burn. If dust is thrown or
scattered, it will flash and may explode if contained. Do not turn a
bucket of smoldering dust upside down. A Class D fire
extinguisher must be readily accessible before operation.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
3
WARNING
Do not mix combustible materials such as aluminum, paper,
wood or organic dusts with metal dust. When collecting
flammable or explosive materials, locate the collector outdoors.
WARNING
Do not blast parts wet with solvent or other flammable liquids.
Sparks in the blaster could ignite vapor and create a fire in the
dust collector bags. Even solvent residue may introduce an
explosive atmosphere into the blaster. Processing parts hotter
than 180°F (83°C) may cause a fire in the dust collector.
WARNING
The dust collector must always be grounded to the blaster or in
accordance with electrical code. Failure to properly ground the
dust collector can result in the accumulation of static
electricity, and create the possibility of a dust explosion.
CAUTION
When performing maintenance on the dust collector, ensure
electrical power has been disconnected before servicing.
CAUTION
Maintain all mechanical and electrical parts regularly and ensure that
all safety mechanisms and guards are functioning properly.
Maintenance details are listed on page 10 of this manual.
CAUTION
Never tamper with or attempt to disable safety mechanisms
installed on the dust collector. Doing so will create unnecessary
danger, and will void the warranty. Ensure all guards and doors are
shut during operation of the dust collector. Never operate the dust
collector if they are not in place.
CAUTION
Do not cut or weld metal near the dust collector without first cleaning
and removing the cartridge filters of all dust.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
4
Blaster Safety Warnings
CAUTION
Ensure only dry air is allowed into the dust collector. Moist air can
clog the cartridge filters and will result in suboptimal filtration.
WARNING
All blasters produce sparks during the blasting process. Never process
parts that are wet with solvents, cleaning solutions or other
flammable liquids. Ensure that a Class D fire extinguisher is
readily accessible before operating the mini blaster.
CAUTION
Ensure the power has been disconnected and the door has been
properly secured in the upright position before entering the blaster.
Always exercise caution when conducting maintenance on the blaster.
CAUTION
Never continue operation of the mini blaster if any of the wheel
wells are running significantly above the rated amperage level.
Running the blaster over amperage can cause the motors to burn out.
CAUTION
Hand, eye, foot, and ear protection should be worn when operating the
mini blaster.
CAUTION
Keep the floor area near the blaster clear of shot and debris.
Excessive amounts of shot on the floor around the blaster can
create a slip hazard.
CAUTION
Never allow objects to fall into the wheel wells. Even small objects
such as screws or bolts can damage the impeller blades.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
5
Further Safety Considerations
When collecting emissions from spark producing processes, care must
be taken to reduce any potential fire hazards. System design should
include methods to prevent sparks from entering the dust collector.
Dust collectors do not contain fire extinguishing equipment
unless specifically ordered. Experts in the field of fire extinguishing
equipment should be consulted for recommendations concerning
proper fire detection and suppression systems.
Some dust collection systems require explosion venting. Consult
your insurance underwriter, the National Fire Protection Association
Manual and your local fire authorities to determine the requirements
for explosion venting.
Be careful and conscientious. Consult national and local fire codes,
waste disposal, safety and other appropriate authorities. Comply with
their recommendations for the proper installation and operation of
dust collection equipment, as well as all regulations regarding the
disposal of metal dust.
CAUTION
Never tamper with or attempt to disable safety mechanisms
installed on the mini blaster. Doing so will create unnecessary
danger, and will void the warranty. Ensure all guards and doors are
shut during operation of the blaster. Never commence operation of the
blaster if they are not in place.

INSTALLATION
6
Blaster Installation
Never operate the mini blaster before reading and following all
installation instructions. Always disconnect the compressed air
supply and turn the power disconnect off prior to servicing.
Placement and Assembly
The MB-2000 Mini Blaster is shipped as one entire unit, ready to connect
to the electrical power supply. The MB-2000’s internal dust collector is
powered by the same electrical connection that powers the blaster. Very
little assembly beyond power connections is necessary.
Inspect the mini blaster upon arrival to ensure that no damage has
occurred during shipment and that all purchased items were received.
Note damage or missing items on the Bill of Landing. It is the
purchaser’s responsibility to file all claims with the carrier. LS
Industries will assist if possible.
Placement of the mini blaster is important. Because it is difficult to
move and may need to be lagged to the floor, consider all factors in
placement. The machine should be easy to access, should be close to parts
that will be treated in the blaster, and should also have ample clearance
around it so that maintenance can be conducted quickly and easily.
Installation of Electrical Connections
It is critical that all factory set electrical connections are
retightened to ensure safe and reliable blaster operation. Conduct
a visual inspection before connecting the electrical to verify that no
wires, conduit, etc. have been damaged or broken in shipment.
Be sure the machine is adequately grounded per National Electric
Code, Article 250, and local requirements. LS recommends the use of
a fused disconnect switch or circuit breaker of the proper size (not
furnished) between the electrical devices on the equipment and the
power supply. The dust collector must be grounded and a fuse
disconnect must be installed on a nearby wall. The use of aluminum
supply conductors is not recommended unless terminals approved for
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INSTALLATION
7
use with aluminum conductors are provided. LS does not supply these
terminals.
Checking Impeller Rotation
After the mini blaster has been installed and connected to appropriate air
and power supplies, it will be necessary to check the impeller rotation
direction. All personnel should have safety glasses on before
checking the impeller rotation direction. Ensure that all wheel wells
can rotate freely, and that there are no objects (other than shot) in the
wheel wells. All impellers should be free to rotate if given a small force by
hand. If they are found to be stuck or rigid, ensure there are no objects
blocking rotation.
The blaster impeller should rotate clockwise when viewed from the rear
of the motor on the right side of the machine. If the impellers are not
rotating properly, adjust the electrical connection so that rotation is in the
proper direction. Do not open the blaster door while the machine is
running.
Checking Shot Levels
Although LS blasters ship pre-loaded with the correct quantity of shot, an
inspection to ensure shot is present in the machine should be conducted.
Allow the machine to run for one minute before taking an amperage
reading.
Initially, the amperage level will spike considerably as the motor
approaches the operating speed. After several seconds, the amperage
should become steady. After one minute, check the amperage level and
ensure it is between the limits posted on the machine.
When the amperage level becomes low, add shot in small increments until
the amperage is back within the required range. To remove shot, place a
small tin cup or tray in the blaster near the wheel well and run the blaster
for a short time. Remove the tray full of shot.

SHOT SELECTION
8
Shot Selection
LS Industries’ blasters are designed for years of service and quality
performance. For best performance, and to preserve the operational life
of the blaster, LS recommends the use of only top quality shot in the
machine.
Many inferior grades of shot or grit are much less expensive than the
quality shot that LS recommends. While in the short run, the use of
these lower quality abrasives may reduce operating costs, they will
also inflict heavy wear on both the machine and dust collector.
This is because inferior grades of shot break down into very small
particles much faster than quality grades of shot. Some grades of shot
break up two to three times faster than quality grades of shot, and may
even be more expensive to use than quality grades because the shot will
need to be replaced so frequently. The very fast disintegration of inferior
grades of shot places a heavier load on the dust collector. Cartridges and
bags will need cleaned and replaced more frequently if an inferior
grade of shot is used in the blaster.
LS Industries can supply shot for various applications to meet the needs
of customers. Shot and grit size will vary according to the application.
Table I. details popular grades of shot and their typical application:
T
able I. Popular Abrasive Grades
Aperture Shot # Grit # Finish Typical Application
0.0165 S-170 G-40 Fine General Steel & Aluminum
0.0232 S-230 G-40 Fine General Steel & Aluminum
0.0280 S-280 G-25 Fine Heavy Cylinders
0.0331 S-330 G-25 Fine Heavy Cylinders
0.0394 S-390 G-18 Fine Heavy Forgings
0.0469 S-460 G-16 Fine Heavy Forgings
0.0555 S-550 G-14 Rough Heavy Forgings
LS Industries recommends the use of shot over grit in most
circumstances because grit will accelerate blaster wear by approximately
30%. LS engineers will be glad to recommend shot and grit sizes for
particular applications if you should have any questions.
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OPERATION
9
Blaster Operation
Read and understand all operating procedures before beginning
blaster operation. Always wear protective gear when operating
the mini blaster.
General Operation
After setting the desired parts into the basket, close the door to the
blaster. The MB-2000 mini blaster is equipped with a door safety
limit switch to prevent the blaster from operating with the door
open. For operation to commence, this switch must be depressed by
the door.
Turn the switch to the “On” position. This will cause the
basket to begin rotating and will start the internal dust collector. With
the door shut, rotate the to the desired cycle time setting.
This will begin the blast cycle. Once the timer reaches zero, the blast
cycle is complete. Inspect parts for complete and even cleaning, and
remove them if they have been effectively blasted. Run parts that are
not completely clean a second time.
After every two to four hours of operation, shake the dust bags to
prevent air flow restriction to the dust collector. Air flow will
decrease as the bags build up a mat of dust, and to ensure they
continue to operate properly and filter air efficiently, this mat must be
shaken from the surface of the bags. Poor dust removal from the blast
chamber will cause parts to leave the blaster dusty and with a dull
finish.
To shake the dust collector bags, ensure the dust collector has been
turned off. Rock the metal rod extruding from the left side of the
machine back and forth quickly to allow dust to fall into the hopper
for removal. A small brush or drag rake may be used to move dust out
of the hopper door and down the drop chute after the bags have been
shaken. Always keep the dust collector hopper door closed during
operation of the mini blaster.
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OPERATION
10
During operation, check the amperage meter to ensure the
correct amount of shot is present in the blaster. The correct range
will be listed on the electrical box near the amperage meters.
If there is too much shot present in the mini blaster, the amperage will
be high. Running the blaster over amperage for extended periods
of time will burn out the motors. Remove some shot by placing a
tray or cup beside the wheel wells inside the blast chamber. Run the
machine for one minute, and then remove the tray or cup. Repeat this
process until the amperage has been lowered within the operating
range.
If there is too little shot present in the mini blaster, the amperage will
be low. This will cause the time required to clean parts to increase.
Add one or two cups full of shot at a time when adding shot to
increase the amperage level. The shot can be added to the air intake
during operation, but care must be taken to prevent overloading the
impeller.
Operational Considerations
Parts must be free from grease before they can be blasted. Shot
will not clean a greasy surface, and will stick to areas that are even
slightly greasy. This can create significant problems on threaded areas
and areas on parts with critical clearances. Repeatedly processing
greasy parts in the mini blaster will contaminate the shot and cause
parts to leave the blaster with a dull finish. The grease will also clog the
pores in the dust collector bags, making it necessary to replace them
frequently, in addition to creating a safety hazard caused by restricted
air flow.
Parts must never be allowed to fall into the wheel wells. Extensive
damage including shattered impeller blades, bent shafts, broken wear
plates and torn basket screens can occur if even small parts fall into
the wheel well while the impellers are rotating at full speed. Always
make sure the basket is secure in the cabinet and that no parts are
small enough to fall through the basket screen during the blast cycle.
Before running a set of parts in the mini blaster, it is a good
practice to ensure they will tumble effectively and that the basket
will rotate trouble free inside the cabinet. With a loaded parts
basket installed in the blaster cabinet and with the door open, switch
the knob to the “On” position, and observe the parts as

OPERATION
11
they tumble in the basket. The dust collector will turn on whenever
the basket drive is activated.
If any parts fall through the basket, or do not tumble properly,
make appropriate adjustments. Leave the parts basket with enough
empty room so that proper cleaning can occur. It is not necessary for
large parts to tumble inside the basket as long as there is enough room
for some shifting to occur.
Any combination and quantity of small and large parts can be blasted
in the mini blaster, as long as there is ample room for parts to be
exposed to the shot blast. However, smaller loads are inefficient and
wear more heavily on the machine than full loads. A fully loaded
parts basket will clean just as fast as a lightly loaded basket.

MAINTENANCE
12
Maintenance
Maintenance should only be performed by qualified personnel.
General Maintenance
Inspect and service the following for wear monthly:
1. Impeller blades. If blades are excessively worn, replace the
entire set. Replacing an individual blade will cause the wheel
well to be unbalanced and will create detrimental vibration.
Always replace a full set of impeller blades.
2. Deflectors. Replace if excessively worn.
3. Baskets and shafts. Inspect for wear, replace if necessary.
4. Internal parts, rubber coverings and seals. Check for wear
and replace if necessary. Oil should be added to the lubricator.
Inspect and service the following for wear every six months:
1. Bearings. Lubricate all bearings. Over lubricate the basket shaft
bearings by forcing extra grease out of the bearings. This will
remove grit. Check the gear reducer oil level.
2. Electrical. Check all electrical wiring and conduit, in addition
to contacts and magnetics.
3. Impeller housing. Check the impeller housing for wear on the
wear plates. Replace any heavily worn plates.
4. Blast cabinet. Inspect the entire blast chamber for excessive
wear. Any location showing excessive wear can be lined with a
hard wear plate if the cabinet does not already have one
installed. The use of old impeller blades as wear plates works
well if wear plates are unavailable. Areas that display gradual
wear should be fitted with rubber.
5. Dust collector. Dust collector bags should be replaced every
two years, or as wear necessitates. Consult the dust collector
manual for maintenance details.
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MAINTENANCE
13
Eccentric Lock Bearings
To remove the eccentric lock bearings, loosen the set screw with a
punch and hammer until the collar will rotate and slides off. Look at
the punch mark for the installation direction, and rotate in the reverse
direction.
To reinstall the eccentric lock bearings, tighten the bolts and position
the shaft. Slide the collar on the bearing and twist it in the opposite
direction of shaft rotation. Using the punch and hammer, tighten the
bearing. Lock the set screw.
Installing Rubber Inside the Cabinet
To install rubber, drill matching holes in both the rubber and the
location where the rubber is to be installed in the mini blaster cabinet.
Bolts should be installed through the rubber and cabinet with the
threads on the outside of the blaster. Install bolts on top of the rubber
such that it hangs down. For excessive wear on the blaster door,
hardened wear plates should be welded on.
Replacing the Drive Motor
Before conducting any maintenance on the MB-2000 Mini Blaster,
disconnect the electrical power and lock the machine in the
“Off” position. Remove the bolts holding each impeller blade to the
impeller hub, and take the blades off. Loosen the two set screws
holding the hub to the shaft. Remove the motor mount bolts, and cut
through the silicon sealant bonding the motor to the wheel well case.
Work the shaft free of the impeller hub and remove the motor.
Retain the rubber slinger and the shaft spacer found on the
motor shaft.
To install a new motor, insert the motor shaft through the slinger,
spacer and into the wheel well cavity, and also through the impeller
hub inside the wheel well. Position the shaft spacer in the hole through
the wheel well case. Apply silicone between the motor and the wheel
well case.
Position the motor on the mount to avoid binding of the shaft in the
spacer and tighten the motor mount bolts. Position the impeller hub
on the shaft and center it inside the wheel well, tightening the two set

MAINTENANCE
14
screws onto the shaft. There should be approximately
1
/
8
” of
clearance between the blade and the wheel well sides.
Reinstall the blades on the hub, inserting bolts from opposing
directions and maintaining the
1
/
8
” of side clearance between the
blades and the wheel well sides. Tighten the blade bolts. When
assembled, spin the impellers by hand to ensure that blades rotate
freely and without wobbling.
Replacing Impeller Blades
Due to the abrasive nature of metal blasting machines, some
equipment on the MB-2000 Mini Blaster will be subject to extreme
wear. Although LS Industries has used high quality materials in the
construction of such equipment, these parts will eventually need
replaced.
With the power disconnected and using a socket-style wrench, reach
into the wheel well and remove the two bolts from each blade.
Remove the worn or broken blades and blade pieces and either discard
or save the blades for use as wear plates and patches. Remove all
debris from the wheel wells.
Before installing new blades, ensure that bolt holes are free of all shot
and any other debris that could compromise complete tightening.
Install the blades on the hub, maintaining side clearances between the
wheel well walls and the blades. When fully tightened, spin the
impellers by hand to ensure the blades are free to rotate without
wobbling. See Figure I on the following page for wheel well part
installation details.
Replacing Wear Plates
With the power disconnected, remove the catch screens, cleanout
plates and all shot form the wheel well, and remove the bolts and wear
plates from the hub. Ensure that all shot and debris have been
removed from the wheel well. When completely clean, slide in the
replacement wear plates. Install the replacement wear plate bolts and
ensure there is
1
/
8
” clearance between the wear plates and the blades
by means of shim strips if necessary. See Figure I on the following
page for wheel well part installation details.

MAINTENANCE
15
Figure I. MB-2000 wheel well replacement part diagram.
Adjustable side wear
plates must allow
1/8” of clearance to
impeller blades
Two-blade impeller
rotates counter clockwise
to throw shot to the front

TROUBLESHOOTING
16
Troubleshooting
Problem: Parts exit the blaster with a dull finish.
Solution: A lack of dust removal is likely the problem. Make sure that
dust has been emptied from the dust collector and that there is no
packed dust on the sides above the cleanout door. Shake the dust bags
(if you have a bag style dust collector) to clear them of light dust.
Never use an inferior shot in the blaster. Inferior shot will break down
quickly and will create more dust than the collector is designed to
handle. Ensure there is no blockage inside the dust collector ducting
or dust pipe.
Insufficient shot levels could also be the cause. Check the amperage
level on the machine, and adjust the shot quantity accordingly.
It may be beneficial to run the mini blaster without parts for several
minutes to remove the dust from the shot.
Problem: The operating amperage is very low and the machine is not
cleaning parts.
Solution: Check shot levels and add shot accordingly. Check the
rotation direction of the impeller. If it is backward, adjust it
accordingly. Also examine the blades for wear. Replace excessively
worn blades.
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