GritPlex

Printing and machining have become fast; finishing has not. Layer lines, support marks, tool marks and light rust still tend to mean a session with files and sandpaper. GritPlex targets that bottleneck. The maker describes it as a desktop sandblaster that doubles as a sealed workcell, suited to resin, PLA, ABS, ASA, PETG and nylon prints, metals including aluminum, brass, copper and steel, and wood surface treatment.

Bench-sized, compressor-fed

The GritPlex Core unit measures about 44×35×31cm, roughly the footprint of a desktop 3D printer. It runs on compressed air, so an external compressor is required. The maker suggests around 3–5 CFM at about 0.6MPa with a 30–50L tank for sustained heavy work, while low-pressure jobs on resin, PLA or miniatures can be handled with a small 1–1.5 CFM unit using short bursts and waiting for pressure to recover.

Blast, then hand-finish in the same cabin

Blasting is triggered by a wired foot pedal. Release it and the cabin becomes an enclosed hand-work station: through the built-in gloves you can use a Dremel or other rotary tool, files, sanding sticks or carving tools on detailed areas, with 3.5kPa of negative pressure maintained to pull away the debris. Two independent chambers feed two dedicated blast pens with 1.2mm and 0.8mm nozzles, and a front selector valve switches between them in about 2 seconds, so glass bead and alumina, for example, can stay loaded side by side. The aluminum chambers are said to be designed for a burst pressure of 3.0MPa or more.

An industrial regulator and mechanical gauge set pressure from about 0.1MPa (14.5psi) to 1.0MPa (145psi). The maker says a venturi-type balanced mixing mechanism keeps the low end stable for resin figures and thin jewelry wax patterns, while the high end is aimed at 6061 aluminum tool marks, carbon-fiber nylon and heavier oxide or scale.

Dust handling and upkeep

• Vac: generates 3.5kPa of negative pressure to draw dust out of the cabin
• SpinX: cyclone separator said to remove over 95% of heavier particles into a sealed container, easing filter load and abrasive reuse
• True HEPA filter: rated to capture 99.97% of particles down to 0.3μm

The maker does not claim it is dust-free: its FAQ notes small amounts may escape when opening the cabin or changing media and recommends wearing a dust mask. The viewing window uses replaceable OPP protective film, with 100 sheets expected to give over 200 hours of clear view, and tool-free quick-release couplings let the Vac hose be detached for cleaning the bench or recovering leftover media.