Prepared by the FEVI Technical Department | Published 18 September 2026
Abrasive blasting is a mechanical process used for surface preparation and treatment by means of the controlled projection of an abrasive or another medium through a compressed-air stream. It is used to remove rust, paint, oxidation and residues, to prepare surfaces and in numerous industrial, craft, construction and restoration processes. The world of blasting machines includes technologies that differ considerably from one another. An open blasting machine, a recovery system, a microblasting machine, a blasting cabinet or a dry ice blasting machine meet different requirements and cannot simply be considered variations of the same machine. The most suitable technology depends on the surface, the material to be removed, the extent of the work, the required result, the working environment and the availability of compressed air. FEVI develops and offers different blasting systems, from compact and portable machines to cabinets and industrial systems. To view the different product families and available models directly, visit the FEVI professional blasting machines.
How a blasting machine works
In conventional abrasive blasting, compressed air provides the energy required to accelerate an abrasive material and project it through a nozzle towards the surface.
The resulting effect depends on a combination of several parameters:
- operating pressure;
- compressed-air flow;
- nozzle diameter and geometry;
- abrasive type and particle size;
- amount of abrasive in the flow;
- working distance and angle;
- surface characteristics.
By changing these parameters, it is possible to move from operations with high removal capacity to more controlled treatments.
Main technologies in the world of blasting machines
Open blasting machines
Open blasting machines project abrasive freely onto the surface to be treated and are among the most widely used configurations.
They are used where versatility, removal capacity and the ability to work on surfaces of different sizes are required. They can be used on iron, steel, stone, concrete, wood and other materials by selecting the appropriate abrasive and operating parameters.
FEVI solutions include compact systems such as SABIX 8 and machines with different capacities and configurations for professional applications.
View the FEVI open blasting machines.
Recovery blasting machines
Recovery blasting machines combine the blasting process with an extraction system that recovers abrasive and dust directly from the working area.
This technology is particularly suitable where material dispersion into the surrounding environment needs to be limited and where the work involves localised areas.
The recovered material can be separated from the dust and, where the characteristics of the system and abrasive allow it, returned to the operating cycle.
The FEVI range includes different Pressure configurations and recovery systems designed for different operating requirements.
Discover the FEVI recovery blasting machines.
Water-assisted blasting machines
Water-assisted blasting machines use water together with the abrasive process to reduce the formation and dispersion of dust.
The water captures part of the particles generated during treatment, making this technology particularly interesting in construction, restoration, maintenance, marine applications and other contexts where dust management is important.
FEVI offers systems in the Water Blast range, developed to combine abrasive action with the controlled use of water.
Explore the FEVI water-assisted blasting machines.
Microblasting machines
Microblasting machines are designed for localised and controlled operations using small-diameter nozzles and fine-grain abrasives.
They are used where precision and control of the abrasive stream are more important than productivity over large surfaces.
They are used in restoration, treatment of small components, decoration and numerous processes that require treatment of a limited area.
FEVI Micro Blaster is a solution dedicated to this type of operation.
Discover the range of FEVI microblasting machines.
Portable blasting machines
Portable blasting machines are designed for applications where the system needs to be taken directly to the working area.
Compact dimensions and ease of handling are particularly important on worksites, during maintenance and restoration, and when working on structures or components that cannot be moved to a fixed workstation.
A portable machine must nevertheless be correctly sized according to the compressed air available and the type of operation required.
FEVI offers different portable systems configured for different requirements and levels of operating autonomy.
Explore the FEVI portable blasting systems.
Low-pressure blasting machines
When working on sensitive surfaces, the ability to operate at lower pressures with controlled abrasive metering can be essential.
This approach is used particularly in restoration, on delicate materials and where the aggressiveness of the treatment needs to be limited.
Reducing pressure alone, however, is not sufficient: the abrasive, particle size, nozzle and distance from the surface must also be correctly adjusted.
Dry ice blasting machines
Dry ice blasting machines, or cryogenic treatment systems, use solid CO₂ pellets accelerated by compressed air.
This technology differs from conventional abrasive blasting: the dry ice sublimates during the process and leaves no secondary residue from the treatment medium.
This characteristic makes dry ice systems particularly interesting for industrial maintenance, automotive, car detailing, machinery and components where residual abrasive would be undesirable.
FEVI offers the Sublima range, comprising different configurations according to airflow and required performance.
View the FEVI dry ice blasting machines.
Blasting and shot blasting cabinets
Blasting cabinets allow the process to be carried out within an enclosed environment and are particularly suitable where components can be handled and introduced into the working chamber.
A cabinet can integrate extraction, filtration, abrasive recovery and separation, component-handling systems and different blasting-gun configurations.
In addition to standard models, cabinets can be designed according to component dimensions, production cycle and handling requirements.
Discover the FEVI blasting cabinets.
Automatic blasting machines and industrial systems
In repetitive production processes, it may be necessary to automate part or all of the blasting cycle.
Automatic blasting machines can use component-handling systems, multiple guns, rotary tables, roller conveyors, belts, hooks or other configurations developed according to the application.
Industrial blasting systems are therefore designed according to required productivity, component dimensions, abrasive, handling requirements and integration with the production process.
Learn more about automatic blasting machines and FEVI industrial blasting systems.
Blasting machines for iron, steel, wood, stone and concrete
There are not necessarily machines intended for only one material. Compatibility with a specific surface is determined primarily by the configuration of the blasting system.
Iron and steel
On iron and steel, abrasive blasting is frequently used to remove rust, oxidation, old paint and coatings and to prepare the surface for subsequent treatments. Open blasting, recovery systems and cabinets can be used depending on component dimensions and the working environment.
Wood
On wood, pressure, abrasive quantity and abrasive type must be carefully controlled. Correctly adjusted treatment can be used to remove old finishes and surface alterations or to enhance the natural structure of the material.
Stone, marble and granite
Abrasive blasting can be used for natural stone treatment, marble and granite processing, and engraving and decoration in the stone and memorial-art sectors. In these applications, control of the abrasive stream, the abrasive used and the possibility of recovering the material during treatment are particularly important.
Concrete and construction surfaces
In the construction sector, abrasive blasting is used to prepare and treat concrete, brick, stone, metal structures and other surfaces. The technology must be selected according to the extent of the area, the material to be removed and the ability to manage dust, water and abrasive within the working environment.
Technological innovations in blasting machines
The development of professional blasting machines does not concern only increased performance. A significant part of current technological development focuses on process control and management of the complete system.
Features that can characterise modern solutions include:
The objective is not simply to increase the aggressiveness of the process, but to achieve greater control, repeatability and adaptability to the application.
The role of compressed air in blasting
Compressed air is one of the fundamental elements of the process.
The available airflow determines the nozzle diameter that can be used and directly affects system productivity. An undersized compressor can cause pressure to drop during operation and limit blasting-machine performance.
To assess a system correctly, the following must therefore be considered:
- actual compressor airflow;
- operating pressure;
- nozzle diameter;
- hose length and diameter;
- air quality;
- presence of moisture and condensate.
Abrasives and blasting results
The abrasive also significantly changes the behaviour of the process.
Olivine, aluminium oxide, glass beads, metallic grit and other media have different characteristics in terms of hardness, shape, density and particle size.
The choice must be made according to:
- surface material;
- substance to be removed;
- required finish;
- blasting-machine technology;
- possibility of abrasive recovery;
- nozzle size.
Using a professional blasting machine with an unsuitable abrasive can compromise the result even when the machine and compressor are correctly sized.
Abrasive blasting and shot blasting: related but different processes
Abrasive blasting and shot blasting both use the projection of a medium onto a surface, but they can have different objectives.
Abrasive blasting is generally used for surface preparation, removal of coatings, oxidation or residues, and controlled modification of the surface.
Shot blasting can be used to achieve specific finishes or for industrial treatments carried out with controlled media and parameters.
Shot peening is an even more specific process in which the controlled projection of particles is used to modify the residual stress state of the component's surface layer. It should therefore not be confused with a conventional abrasive blasting operation.
Where blasting machines are used
Blasting technologies are used in many sectors.
Industry and maintenance
For components, fabricated metalwork, machinery, structures and surface-preparation operations.
Construction
For work on concrete, stone, brick, metal structures and surfaces affected by coatings or residues.
Restoration
For operations requiring particularly accurate control of pressure, abrasive and treatment intensity.
Automotive and body shops
For frames, wheels, mechanical components, restoration and different treatments on metal parts.
Marine applications
For the preparation and treatment of components and surfaces affected by old coatings or oxidation.
Stone sector
For marble, granite, natural stone, engraving and decorative work.
Maintenance and care of blasting machines
Correct maintenance helps maintain consistent machine operation and control consumption and performance.
Components that require particular inspection include nozzles, hoses, fittings, valves, metering systems and components through which the abrasive passes.
Compressed-air quality is also important: moisture and condensate can interfere with the consistent flow of some abrasives.
The availability of spare parts and compatible components is therefore an important factor to consider when using a blasting machine professionally.
From the individual blasting machine to the complete system
In the world of abrasive blasting, the machine represents only one part of the solution.
To obtain a process consistent with the application, the following must be assessed together:
FEVI approaches each application starting from the required result and operating conditions, identifying the most appropriate technology and configuration among open blasting, recovery systems, water-assisted blasting, dry ice blasting, microblasting machines, cabinets and industrial systems.
To compare the main types and access the corresponding models, visit the page dedicated to FEVI professional blasting machines.
Frequently asked questions about blasting technologies
Do all blasting machines work in the same way?
No. Open blasting, recovery systems, suction systems, water-assisted blasting, dry ice blasting, microblasting and cabinets use different principles or configurations. The technology must be selected according to the application.
What is the difference between open blasting and recovery blasting?
In open blasting, the abrasive is projected onto the surface without being recovered directly by the working head. In recovery systems, abrasive and dust are extracted during treatment, limiting their dispersion.
Is a portable blasting machine less professional than a larger machine?
Not necessarily. Portability and performance are different characteristics. A compact machine can be professional when it is correctly sized according to the application and the compressed air available.
When is water-assisted blasting useful?
It is suitable where dust containment is an important factor and where the operating conditions allow the use of water.
When should dry ice blasting be chosen?
Dry ice blasting is particularly interesting where the aim is to avoid introducing an abrasive that leaves residues after treatment. Suitability nevertheless depends on the type of contamination and the surface.
What is the difference between abrasive blasting and microblasting?
Microblasting generally uses smaller nozzles, fine abrasives and more closely controlled parameters, making it suitable for localised or particularly precise operations.
Discover FEVI blasting technologies
From portable systems to industrial blasting machines, from recovery machines to customised cabinets, each technology addresses different requirements.
View the complete FEVI blasting-machine range to explore the available features, applications and models.
