> Resource Hub / Case Studies / Airblast delivers compact but uncompromising blast container for fabricator
Supplying a compact but uncompromising containerised blast room for a metal fabrication specialist.
Client
Fabrication and laser cutting specialist
Location
Warwickshire
Brief
Design, manufacture, and deliver a containerised blast room for processing metallic components.
Background
At the end of 2023, Airblast was contacted by NSI Group to deliver a comprehenisve surface treatment solution. NSI Group is a UK-based fabrication company specialising in laser cutting, welding, fabrication, folding, and CNC machining. NSI Group operates from two sites in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, and offers over 100,000 Sq.ft. of manufacturing capacity. They were looking for a demountable girt blasting solution that was compatible with their limited site space, as their machinery takes up most of the internal workshop area.
The Solution
After assessing their site, production needs, and budget, we determined that our most cost-effective, grit blasting, surface treatment solution—the 40′ containerised blast room—was the ideal choice for their operations.
Fast delivery and installation
Our 40’ blast container, a repurposed shipping container, offers a fully portable surface treatment solution. Designed for easy transport, it can be loaded onto articulated flatbed trucks and quickly delivered to any location. For this project, the unit was shipped from our headquarters to the client’s site in West Yorkshire, where it was carefully positioned and unloaded directly from the truck.
Once in place, the containerised blast room requires only a compressor hose and electrical connections to become fully operational, providing a seamless, turnkey solution. Its design eliminates the need for groundwork, significantly reducing installation time and ensuring rapid deployment
Reliable and cost-effective abrasive recovery
This 40’ grit blasting unit was equipped with a pneumatic abrasive recovery system, offering a simple yet highly effective solution. The pneumatic Vaculift operates entirely on the blast room’s compressed air connection, eliminating the need for additional power sources. Inside the enclosure, a floor hopper allows for manual brushing of used abrasive, which is then drawn under negative pressure into a media separator. Here, reusable abrasive is efficiently separated and redirected to the blast machine for continued use.
To streamline cleanup, the container also includes a convenient blow-down facility, ensuring fast and hassle-free maintenance.
Integrated extraction
The blast container featured a built-in dust extraction system as a standard component. This efficient cartridge dust collector ensures a well-ventilated, nearly dust-free workspace for optimal blasting performance. Additionally, the system is designed with high-to-low air intakes, utilising gravity to enhance efficiency. This design prevents dust and debris from settling during operation, directing them swiftly to the filtration system.
Captured materials and debris from the grit blasting operations are securely trapped in the dust collector’s filters, allowing for safe and straightforward disposal at the client’s site.
Fully weatherproof
Designed from a repurposed shipping container, these units are fully weatherproof and ideal for outdoor placement. In this case, our client required a blast solution but lacked sufficient indoor space. They could implement a complete surface treatment system without sacrificing valuable factory floor space by utilising their available outdoor area.
The Result
Commissioning the containerised blast room in February 2024, Our aim for our client was to supply and deliver a comprehensive surface treatment solution that considered the nature of the materials they were going to process. Our comprehensive surface treatment solution will enable our clients to streamline their production, improve efficiency, and better their overall turnaround times.
