Many of our customers do not know what a Sieve Analysis is or why it is important.

When abrasive is bought it is based on a specific size. Those sizes are specified by S.A.E for shot / grit screenings. The screen openings determine the corresponding screen number, a combination of different screen sizes comprise a certain shot size, i.e S-330, all Pass No. 12 screen, 5 % max on No. 14 screen, 85 % min on No. 20 screen and 96 % min on No. 30 screen.

Why is it important to do a Sieve Analysis?

Operating Mix - The range of sizes that you have in your operating system. If you take a sample and learn that all of your abrasive passed a specific screen, then you know you need to add abrasive more often to maintain a uniform operating mix. Equally, a range of shot provides for better work potential than a narrow uniform number of same size shot. (i.e. 1 pound of S330 with 4500 shots vs 1 pound of correct operating mix @ 7200 shots.)

What if your operating mix is dirty?

Paint chips and other unproductive materials can take up the same volumetric space as usable material. If you have 20% of impurities, the mix delivery only contains 80% usage media to do the work.

We have found an inexpensive Sieve Analysis tool called the Sand Shaker.

At the current cost of abrasive and labor, any production improvements or material cost savings are essential.