Design and fabrication of an automated sandblasting machine for flat glass surface etching

• Main Authors: Chua, Garrick Gaw, Medalla, Bernard John Celeste, Nabos, Eric Bonn Maceo, Pena, Jose Corazon Gonzaga, Villoso, Jonathan Ian Tong
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2007
• Subjects: Sand-blast; Glass etching; Glass engraving
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/14556
• Institution: De La Salle University

Glass etching is one of a family of techniques used after the initial manufacturing process to create a design on glass. Simply put, abrasive glass etching is the process of abrading or eroding a glass surface in selected areas through the impact of abrasive particles propelled at high speed. This process, also known as sandblasting, is still being done manually in the local glass industry, which proved to have numerous setbacks in terms of safety, consistency, and speed of production. These safety, consistency, and speed of production issues can be minimized, if not eliminated, by automating the process. This study focuses on the design and fabrication of the Automated Sandblasting Machine – a prototype that can blast a square foot of glass in less than the time it takes to manually blast it. It’s key feature is a programmable gantry robot which controls the movement of the sandblasting gun inside an air-tight blasting cabinet. This resolves speed and consistency issues because of the constant speed and air pressure regulated by the different mechanical, electronics, and software components. This study serves as a milestone for further cutting-edge innovations on the field of automated sandblasting.