NU-ICE AGE Commando 55 User manual

COMMANDO 55 Dry Ice Blaster
Owners Manual
Nu-Ice Age, Inc. • Jackson, MI USA
Customer Service: 517-990-0665 • www.nuiceage.com
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS. READ BEFORE OPERATION.
COMMANDO 55 Dry Ice Blaster
Owners Manual
2
2

Operation Manual
2
Rev. 1/14
Nu-Ice Age, Inc. • Jackson, MI USA • Customer Service: 517-990-0665 • www.nuiceage.com
1.0 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................. 3
1.1 Warranty..................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Important Safety Instructions ..................................................................... 4
1.3 Dry Ice Safety Precautions...................................................................... 5-6
1.4 Moving and Dry Ice Storage Information.................................................... 6
1.5 Safety During Operation.......................................................................... 6-7
2.0 ASSEMBLY ...................................................................................................... 8
2.1 Delivery Inspection..................................................................................... 8
2.2 Assembly Instructions ............................................................................. 8-9
3.0 DRY ICE PELLET SIZE & QUALITY............................................................. 10
4.0 OPERATION ...................................................................................................11
4.1 Pressurization .......................................................................................... 12
4.2 Dry Ice Feeding........................................................................................ 12
4.3 Start/Stop Procedures.............................................................................. 13
4.4 Ice Blasting Procedures ........................................................................... 13
5.0 MAINTENANCE............................................................................................. 14
6.0 CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS......................................................................... 14
7.0 STORAGE...................................................................................................... 15
8.0 TROUBLESHOOTING.............................................................................. 15-16
9.0 TECHNICAL DATA ........................................................................................ 17
10.0 ELECTRICAL............................................................................................... 17
10.1 Electrical Wiring Schematic.................................................................... 18
10.2 Electrical Box Schematic........................................................................ 19
11.0 TRAINING CHECKLIST.......................................................................... 20-21
12.0 NOZZLES & ACCESSORIES ...................................................................... 22
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Operation Manual
3Rev. 1/14
Nu-Ice Age, Inc. • Jackson, MI USA • Customer Service: 517-990-0665 • www.nuiceage.com
Thank you for choosing Nu-Ice Age™ Dry Ice Blasting equipment. This guide is designed
to assist the user whose primary responsibility is to maintain and operate the Nu-Ice Age™
Commando 55 Dry Ice Blasting Machine. This manual provides specic information on
assembly, operation, safety, and maintenance procedures. Please read, understand and
follow all procedures stated in this manual.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Nu-Ice Age shall warrant the Commando 55 Dry Ice Blasting Machine to be free of defects
in material and / or workmanship for Two (2) Years from the date of shipment to the buyer.
The warranty shall cover 100% of all parts and labor with the exception of misuse, abuse,
or neglect. The warranty also does not cover the following items which are deemed to be
consumables.
• Blast Hose Assembly including Power Cable
• Air Lock Feed Wheel
Nu-Ice Age will at it’s option repair, replace or issue credit for the value of any defective
Commando 55. Failure to follow proper operation and maintenance procedures described
in the Owners Manual may limit or void this warranty.
Buyer accepts all responsibility for compliance with any / all Local, State and Federal Laws
or Regulations including Regulations of Foreign Governments.
No equipment shall be returned to Nu-Ice Age without a Return Authorization Number from
our customer service department. Upon evaluation and determination of warranty, replace-
ments or repairs will be sent to the buyer. If a replacement is needed immediately, a Purchase
Order is required to cover the cost of the product until the warranty is determined.
The warranty is limited to replacing any goods that are proved to be defective and Nu-Ice
Age in no event shall have any liability for paying incidental or consequential damages
including and without limitation, damages resulting in personal or bodily injury or death, or
damages to, or loss of use of any property. Notwithstanding any of these terms and condi-
tions, the warranty set forth shall apply in connection with any sales of goods, services or
design by Nu-Ice Age and are in lieu of all warranties, express or implied, including warran-
ties of merchantability and tness for a particular purpose.
1.1 WARRANTY
Manufacture Date
Serial #

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Nu-Ice Age, Inc. • Jackson, MI USA • Customer Service: 517-990-0665 • www.nuiceage.com
1.2 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read all the instructions before using this machine.
2. To reduce the risk of injury, do not operate this machine near children.
3. Always wear the proper eye, ear and skin protection specied in this
manual when operating the machine.
4. Know how to stop the machine and bleed pressures quickly. Be
thoroughly familiar with the controls.
5. Stay alert – watch what you are doing.
6. Do not operate this machine when fatigued or under the inuence of
alcohol or drugs.
7. Keep operating area clear of all unauthorized personnel.
8. Do not overreach or stand on unstable support. Keep good footing and
balance at all times.
9. Follow the maintenance instructions specied in this manual.
10. This machine must be grounded. Follow the grounding instructions
specied below.
GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS
This machine must be grounded. If it should malfunction or break down, grounding provides
a path of least resistance for electric current to reduce the risk of electric shock. This product
is equipped with a cord having an equipment-grounding conductor and a grounding plug.
The plug must be plugged into an appropriate outlet that is properly installed and grounded
in accordance with all local codes and ordinances.
WARNING – When operating this machine, basic precautions should
always be followed, including the following:
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
DANGER – Improper connection of the equipment-grounding conductor
can result in a risk of electrocution. Check with a qualied electrician or
service personnel if you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is properly
grounded. Do not modify the plug provided with the product - if it will not t
the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualied electrician. Do not
use any type of adapter with this machine.
WARNING – Risk of injection or injury. Do not discharge blasting stream at
persons.

Operation Manual
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Nu-Ice Age, Inc. • Jackson, MI USA • Customer Service: 517-990-0665 • www.nuiceage.com
1.3 DRY ICE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Dry Ice (Solid CO2) Safety Data
• At a temperature of -110°F (-79°C), insulated gloves should be worn at all times
when handling dry ice to prevent frostbite.
• Proper eye, ear and skin protection should be worn at all times when operating or
in the vicinity of dry ice blasting equipment.
• Even though CO2gas is non-poisonous, it does displace oxygen in the atmosphere
so working spaces should be properly ventilated. Because CO2is 40% heavier
than air, when blasting in an enclosed area, placement of exhaust vents at or
near ground level is recommended. In an open environment, existing ventilation is
sufcient to prevent undue CO2buildup. It is recommended that a breathing appa-
ratus is used in enclosed work areas where CO2gas may accumulate to hazard-
ous levels.
• Store dry ice only in containers approved and labeled for dry ice storage. Storing
dry ice in a container without proper ventilation may result in an explosion hazard
due to the pressure that builds up when dry ice sublimates into gas form.
• Ensure your dry ice supplier provides a current MSDS sheet for any additional
safety information
First Aid Measures
Contact with Skin: Immediately ush effected area with warm water. Do not attempt to pop
any blisters that may appear as a result of frostbite. Seek medical assistance as soon as
possible.
Contact with Eyes: Immediately ush eyes thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes. In
case of frostbite, spray with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes. Apply a sterile dressing.
Seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
Excess Inhalation: In high concentrations (5000 ppm or higher), CO2can cause asphyxia-
tion by displacing the oxygen required for breathing. Symptoms may include loss of mobility
or consciousness. The victim may not be aware of asphyxiation. In case of asphyxiation,
immediately move victim to an uncontaminated area. Apply articial respiration if breathing
has stopped. Keep victim warm and rested. Seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
Refer to the MSDS sheet provided by your dry ice supplier for additional rst aid
information.
Safety Training
Asphyxiation and other potential safety hazards must be stressed during operator training.
Always review safety procedures with operators before allowing them to operate any dry ice
blasting equipment. Before using this product in any new process, a material compatibility
and safety study should be performed.
Always ensure that all Local, State and Federal Laws and Regulations are observed, includ-
ing Regulations of Foreign Governments.

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Nu-Ice Age, Inc. • Jackson, MI USA • Customer Service: 517-990-0665 • www.nuiceage.com
Prior to blasting, carry out a risk assessment in order to have the proper safety precautions
in place. Ensure that those operating the equipment have been properly trained and under-
stand the risks associated with dry ice. Always secure the area that is to be blasted with
dry ice — no unauthorized or untrained personnel should be allowed to operate the
machine or enter the working area.
Conrm the nature of the coating or substance that is to be cleaned before beginning
the blasting process. If hazardous materials are present, appropriate safety precautions
must be taken to avoid exposure, such as local exhaust ventilation or personal protective
equipment.
Always inspect air supply and blasting hoses for any potential damage and ensure all
connections are secure prior to operation.
This machine may be used indoors and outdoors. Operating the machine in heavy
rain is not recommended, water will freeze up the dry ice pellets and clog the hopper.
Follow All Safety Precautions During Setup and Operation shown on Page 7
When transporting the machine, always secure with straps or other appropriate method to
avoid the risk of damaging equipment.
Do not transport dry ice in any vehicle where the storage area is not separate from the driv-
er’s compartment (such as a car or station wagon). Driver must be aware of the potential
hazards of CO2and know what to do in the event of an accident or emergency. Ensure dry
ice containers are secured and that adequate ventilation is provided before transporting.
Unused dry ice may still remain in the ice blaster after blast cleaning work. As a safety
precaution, purge the remaining dry ice from the machine until the hopper is empty. This also
prevents ice clumps from building up in the machine.
Only properly labeled equipment that is approved for use with dry ice should be used
to store dry ice pellets. Always keep containers in a well-ventilated area.
1.3 DRY ICE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (continued)
Additional safety information can be found at the following websites:
http://www.osha-slc.gov/
http://www.ansi.org
http://www.nfpa.org
1.5 SAFETY DURING OPERATION
1.4 MOVING AND DRY ICE STORAGE INFORMATION

Operation Manual
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Nu-Ice Age, Inc. • Jackson, MI USA • Customer Service: 517-990-0665 • www.nuiceage.com
H
C
F
D
FACE PROTECTION OR GOGGLES
Always wear safety goggles or face protection when operating dry ice blast-
ing equipment, especially to ensure protection from any blowback of the
contaminant being removed.
EAR PROTECTION
Always wear proper hearing protection. Harmful noise levels can be experi-
enced that can result in permanent hearing loss. Nearby workers must also
have hearing protection when standing within 100 ft (30.5 m) of the work
area. Double ear protection (ear plugs & ear muffs) is recommended to all
workers in the blasting area. Pregnant women should not operate machine
or be in the noise area.
PROTECTIVE GLOVES
Always use suitably insulated protective gloves when handling dry ice or
cold parts of the machinery. Contact with dry ice may cause cold burns or
frostbite, use gloves and the supplied Ice Scoop to avoid this.
BREATHING APPARATUS
Wherever suitable ventilation cannot be provided, a breathing apparatus
with a supply of breathing air should be present. Dry ice blasting can cause
airborn particulates and correct respiratory protection should be matched
with the contaminant(s) being removed (i.e. mold, lead paint, etc.).
ASPHYXIATION HAZARD
In small enclosed rooms and areas with little or no ventilation, CO2
may accumulate to dangerous levels. A CO2detector should be used
to conrm safe conditions. Where necessary, a breathing mask with a
fresh air supply should be worn.
CAUTION!
Never touch the pellet stream or nozzle during operation.
Never blast or aim blasting gun at people or animals.
Do not ingest dry ice or handle without proper protection.
LOW TEMPERATURE
The temperature of dry ice is -110°F (-79°C). Do not touch or allow direct
contact with dry ice. Always use protective clothing and gloves when
handling dry ice and equipment that contains dry ice.
ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD
Objects to be cleaned must be grounded in order to avoid a potential
static electrical discharge caused by the velocity of the pellets in the air
stream. Do not operate the blaster if you wear a pacemaker.
1.5 SAFETY DURING OPERATION (continued)

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Nu-Ice Age, Inc. • Jackson, MI USA • Customer Service: 517-990-0665 • www.nuiceage.com
2.0 ASSEMBLY
Each Commando 55 Dry Ice Blaster ships complete with the following items:
• Dry ice blasting unit & protective cover
• 24 ft (7.3 m) blasting hose and 40 ft (12.2 m) air supply hose
• Blasting gun plus 1 round nozzle, 1 fan nozzle, 1 nozzle extension and 1
twist grip handle
• Control cable connecting gun to the blaster (running inside the hose cover)
• Ice Scoop
Inspect your new dry ice blasting machine upon arrival for any damage that may have
occurred during shipping. Please notify the transportation company as well as Nu-Ice Age
within 24 hours if any damage is present. Verify that all parts described on your packing list
have been delivered.
1. Connect the Power:
Check to make sure the power switch on the front panel
is in the “OFF” position. Connect the power supply cable
to an appropriate power supply. The Commando 55 Ice
Blasting Machine requires a 120 V AC power source.
The power supply must be grounded (see ground-
ing instructions on page 4). Always turn off the Power
Switch when making any changes (nozzle, extensions,
ttings etc.) at the blast gun.
2. Control Cable and Hose:
Connect the male socket of the control cable to the
socket on the front of the ice blaster. When the plug is
lined up, tighten to secure.
Connect the blasting hose to the hose connection at
the lower front of the blaster. Attach the JIC connection
securely using a 1 3/8” wrench.
3. Blasting Gun and Nozzles:
Connect the gun to the control cable and the hose. Use
a 1 3/8” wrench to secure the JIC connection to the gun.
If needed, connect the extension pipe(s) to the gun by
screwing the pieces together (rmly hand-tighten) using
the connector piece. Continued on page 9...
2.1 INSPECTION UPON DELIVERY
2.2 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
1
2
3Hose
Connection
Point

Operation Manual
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Nu-Ice Age, Inc. • Jackson, MI USA • Customer Service: 517-990-0665 • www.nuiceage.com
2.2 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS (continued)
Nozzle Extension
Gun assembly
with fan nozzle,
without extension
Use the connection piece to connect the nozzle to the
gun or extension pipe (if tted). Attach the twist-grip
handle by hand tightening onto the extension.
A selection of nozzles are available for a variety of differ-
ent cleaning applications. It is recommended that a test
area be blasted rst to establish which nozzle will func-
tion the best for each cleaning application. Always turn
off the power when changing blasting nozzles.
4. Compressor Connection:
An air hose with a female JIC #16 tting will be required
for operation. Ensure the yellow lever on the air bleed-
off valve is in the closed position (90° to valve). Attach
the safety lanyard to the hose by pulling the spring
back until the loop ts over the air hose. Connect the
compressed air hose from the air source (such as a
portable compressor or xed compressed air system)
to the compressed air inlet on the back of the blast-
er as shown. Use a 1 3/8” wrench to secure the JIC
tting. Ensure that all hoses are connected properly
and inspect for any damage. Replace damaged hoses
as needed.
Always use clean, dry air free from oil, particles and
humidity. An aftercooler/air dryer is often recommended
(portable units available from Nu-Ice Age). When using
shop air, ensure that consideration has been given to
the volume of air required for operation.
Never disconnect hoses while the machine is in opera-
tion. At the end of a cleaning job, rst shut down the
compressed air source, then press the yellow lever
on the bleed off valve in the open position (parallel to
valve) to depressurize.
5. Static Ground Wire:
To minimize the risk of shock due to static electricity,
always attach the static ground wire to the object you
are blasting. Ensure that the location of the clip is not
in an area where it is at risk of being blasted off or slip-
ping off.
4
5
Air Bleed-Off Valve

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Nu-Ice Age, Inc. • Jackson, MI USA • Customer Service: 517-990-0665 • www.nuiceage.com
3.0 DRY ICE PELLET SIZE & QUALITY
Dry ice pellets contaminated with moisture can
result in freezing of the air chamber rotor and hose.
Pellets typically become mushy or clumped together
when they contain too much moisture. For best
performance, the use of fresh dry ice pellets without
signs of moisture contamination is recommended.
To the left is an example of dry ice pellets that are
compatible with the Commando 55 Dry Ice Blaster.
The correct size of dry ice pellets for the Commando 55 is approx. 1/8” (3 mm) dia. and is
commonly referred to as “blasting rice.”
Any foreign objects other than dry ice pellets that fall into the hopper can result in serious
damage to the air/CO2chamber.
Always keep the top lid closed during operation to avoid dirt and debris from falling into the
hopper.
Do not leave dry ice in the hopper for an extended period of time (10 minutes or more). It
may solidify and cause a blockage.