F.A.Q – Frequently asked questions

Yes, all of our sandblasters require a compressed air supply

Consumption depends on the projection system (pressure or vacuum) and the nozzle diameter, from 200 litres/minute for a 5 mm vacuum nozzle to 1400 litres/minute for a 6 mm pressure nozzle.

It is therefore possible to power our sandblasters with compressors from 3 HP to more than 15 HP, however, it is the power of the compressor and its flow rate that will ensure a certain speed of sandblasting (productivity)

How much power does a vacuum sandblaster have ?

How much power for a pressure sandblaster? (Screw compressor recommended)

Each process corresponds to a type of blasted abrasive:

• Sanding : angular abrasive (sand) spray for stripping
• Bead blasting : projection of glass, ceramic or metallic microbeads, to create a finish
• Shot peening : projection of grit often metallic, to strip with a certain power
• Airbrushing : low-pressure sandblasting process with a fine abrasive, allowing a gentle treatment that preserves the treated surface

Vacuum (or suction) machines are equipped with a venturi gun that allows the abrasive to be sucked up from the tank and projected through a nozzle, it is a technically simple and economical system.

Pressure (or overpressure) machines incorporate a tank containing the abrasive which is put under air pressure in order to expel the abrasive through a lance ending in a nozzle, the pressure blasting system has an efficiency 2 to 3 times higher than the vacuum system, but it is technically more complex

We are here to guide you, the applications of sandblasting or bead blasting are very numerous and varied, we invite you to contact us so that we can advise you

We also offer free testing of your parts in our workshops,

Our customer service is at your disposal on 03 20 31 02 57

The nozzle diameter does not depend on the nature of the abrasive, but on its grain size.

It is customary to consider that a nozzle will only be compatible with grains less than a quarter of its internal diameter (4 mm nozzle = grains less than 1 mm)

The advantage of a sandblasting cabinet is the continuous recycling of the blasted abrasive, its consumption is therefore quite low, depending on the type of abrasive and the application.

A sandblasting machine incorporates wear parts and consumables that must be replaced regularly, these are filters, nozzles, gloves, windows.

We can help you estimate the cost of running your future equipment.

The processing of parts by sandblasting can often be automated, this ensures a repeatable result and a higher processing speed, Sandblasting or bead blasting of parts in batches in a rotating basket is an example of an automatic sandblasting machine offered by ARENA, to be seen on our website

ARENA also develops sandblasting robots, in this case, the sandblasting is automated by using a robotic arm that sets the sandblasting nozzle in motion around the workpiece according to a pre-programmed cycle.

The choice will mainly depend on the size of the elements to be sanded, small or medium-sized pieces, generally up to lengths of 1.5 meters, can be sandblasted in a Sleeve cabin, larger rooms will require a Mobile sandblasting machine, in which case the operator must protect himself with a Sandblasting Combination and a Sandblasting helmet Adapted

The cyclone fitted to industrial sandblasting cabinets has the function of separating reusable abrasive and dust, it continuously recycles and cleans the abrasive and allows quality and constant work over time,

Airbrushing is a gentle sandblasting method, at low pressure, and with a fine scrub abrasive, it is used to strip delicate parts without damaging them (wooden furniture, thin sheet metal elements, etc.). etc)

The sandblasting abrasives the most common are neutral and can be disposed of in landfill, but it is necessary to take into account the nature of the substrates disposed of (paint, varnish or classified materials) which could be mixed with the used abrasive, and which would then require specific treatment,

Any machine offered for sale in Europe must comply with the European standard known as "machine", guaranteeing the user an optimal level of quality and safety, ARENA sandblasting machines are all CE certified,

Sandblasting is a very effective method to create roughness on a metal, plastic or even wooden part, the higher the particle size of the abrasive, the greater the roughness will be, this is usually used as preparation before gluing, or to create a surface finish on a mold,

One Sandblasting Booth, or Sleeve cabin, is defined according to several criteria; its size according to the dimensions of the parts to be sanded, its pneumatic power determined by the diameter of the spray nozzle, and finally the abrasive recycling technology, according to the level of quality sought.

Calling on ARENA for its sandblasting equipment is a guarantee of quality and performance

The choice of the Mobile sandblasting machine will be done according to the surfaces to be sanded, a small capacity sandblaster will be well suited to the treatment of small parts (small furniture, mechanical parts), a larger capacity will provide more autonomy and sand flow and will be better suited to large surfaces (facades, skips or containers)

This is a broad topic, as there is a very large choice ofsandblasting abrasives on the market, it is first necessary to distinguish between abrasives that will not be recycled (sand sandblasting) and more technical products that can be recycled

Non-recyclable abrasives are the sandblasting slag or sodium bicarbonate, these products are economical but have low impact resistance, recyclable abrasives include corundum, Garnet, Metal Shot, , Glass microbeads, , ceramic microbeads and Plastic abrasives, Their higher hardness allows for use in closed cabs and recycling systems, ARENA offers a wide range of Range of abrasives suitable for all sandblasting, airbrushing, shot blasting or bead blasting applications,

The main criterion for choosing a Sandblasting nozzle is its compressed air consumption expressed in litres/minute or m³/hour, which shall be less than or equal to the airflow rate generated by the compressor

In addition, once the nozzle diameter has been defined, the abrasive particle size should be less than a quarter of the nozzle inner diameter, in order to allow a smooth flow without jamming.

Micro-bead blasting consists of projecting Glass microbeads or ceramics on a part with the aim of creating a homogeneous and satin/glossy finish surface,

Gentle sandblasting, or more generally bead blasting of 3D printed parts, made of plastic or metal, makes it possible to clean the parts and create a smoother surface finish, this is what is called "post-processing".

ARENA has developed a range of booths specifically adapted to the field of additive manufacturing, find out more about our Post-processing machines

The choice of sandblaster suppliers may seem important, especially on the Internet, but it is essential to call on a partner such as ARENA, a French manufacturer, who will be able to advise you, provide you with quality equipment and provide a local after-sales service.

Sandblasters and sandblasting cabinets are equipment that can last, especially when they are of quality manufacture, ARENA having been on the market for more than 40 years, we offer a choice of Reconditioned used machines At very attractive rates, see our updated list here,

ARENA is a family business created in 1979, we design and manufacture all our sandblasting machines at our site in Marquette (Hauts de France).

We invite you to come and visit our showroom.

As designers and manufacturers, our goal is to continuously improve the quality of our products, our expertise from 40 years of experience allows us to offer a range of high-quality sandblasting equipment today

ARENA machines are particularly impressive for their particularly powerful double cyclone abrasive recycling system

Yes, as a designer/manufacturer, we have the possibility to study and produce according to your needs:

• standard manual blasting cabinets incorporating specific adaptations to your application,
• Cabins designed entirely according to your specifications
• automatic or robotic sandblasting machines,

Do not hesitate to contact us.

Yes, ARENA is ISO 9001 certified for the quality of its organization and is ISO 14001 certified for its environmental management

Our search engine allows you to find a product by reference, in case of doubt, our customer service is at your disposal on 03 20 31 02 57.

We offer the Parts for all ARENA sandblaster models manufactured since 1980.

The model and serial number of your machine can be found on the manufacturer's plate riveted to the machine.

You can download the original instructions for your model on the page Downloads, the document includes an exploded version of the most common documents.

If in doubt, our customer service is at your disposal on 03 20 31 02 57.

Some pieces such as the Spray gun or Sleeves can be adapted to most models of sandblasting booth on the market, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We accept payment by Bank card, , Transfer ou Cheque.

Our after-sales service products and sandblasting abrasives are kept in stock, and are delivered by a third-party transport company within an average of 48 hours in France.

Our mobile sandblasters are also available from stock.

The sandblasting cabinets are made to order and the lead time may vary depending on the number of orders in progress. 

We deliver in France, the French Overseas Departments and Territories and all countries of the European Union.

To return a product to us, nothing could be simpler, just contact our customer service by phone or by following the procedure described on our page contact.

Yes, we would be happy to welcome you to our premises in Marquette, a suburb of Lille, to present our products.