Blasting Machines & Initiation Equipment

Collection: INITIATION MACHINES

A blasting machine is the last piece of equipment between you and a live shot. If it doesn't fire — or doesn't deliver enough energy to fire every cap in the circuit — it doesn't matter how well you drilled the pattern or loaded the holes. MTi's range covers compact electric units for small shots, high-capacity machines for large production blasts, non-electric shock-tube firing devices, dual-initiation machines for mixed circuits, and MSHA-approved permissibles for underground and coal. Every unit is solid-state capacitor discharge, sealed against water, dust, and debris.

Trusted by

Surface production blasting

High-capacity electric machines for large series.

Machines 14

Output range 50 – 250 Ω

Operating temp −20°F to 140°F

Warranty Lifetime

Sizing and Choosing the Right Machine

MTi blasting machines cover firing capacities from 50 ohms for small construction shots up to 250 ohms for large production circuits. Every unit is solid-state capacitor discharge, sealed to IP67 or IP68 against water and dust, housed in HD urethane, tested from −20°F to 140°F (−29°C to 60°C), and backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.

How to Size a Blasting Machine

The number that matters most is firing capacity, measured in ohms. A machine rated for 50 ohms will handle a small series. A 135-ohm unit will fire roughly 65 caps plus lead line. A 220- or 250-ohm unit will fire a much larger production circuit. Underpowered machines are one of the causes of misfires in the field, so match the machine to the shot with headroom — don't run the circuit to the edge of the rating.

Quick Reference by Application

Small construction. A compact 50-ohm hand-held unit like the HB-10 clips to your belt and fires off a 9V battery.

Mid-sized surface shots. A 135- to 230-ohm machine with a built-in circuit continuity indicator (HB-55 or S-355) gives you capacity plus pre-fire verification.

Large production circuits. A 220- to 250-ohm unit with higher firing energy like the HB-320 handles bigger series without running the edge of the rating.

Underground coal and gassy mines. The HBR-20P is MSHA-approved (Approval No. 16E-15) and auto-shunts output in 4.5–8 milliseconds after firing, per federal requirements.

Mixed electric and shock-tube benches. The HB-SBS and S-3 are dual-initiation units — one machine, both circuits, with automatic mode selection based on what is connected.

Compatibility

Compatible with standard electric blasting caps, electric breech systems, and non-electric shock-tube starters. All units feature heavy-duty push-down binding posts for glove-friendly lead attachment and sequenced two-switch Charge/Detonate operation.

Side-by-side

Pick the right machine.
Every shot.

Detailed Specifications

	HB-10 Electric Initiator	HB-55 Electric Blasting Machine	S-355 Compact Electric Blasting Machine	HB-SBS Blasting Machine - Dual Initiation	HB-320 Rugged Waterproof Blasting Machine	S-412 Blasting Machine with Circuit Continuity	HBR-20P Blasting Machine - MSHA Approved	S-2 Non-Electric Blasting Machine	S-3 Powerful Blasting Machine	S-27 Blasting Machine	HR-3 Mechanical Starter
Initiation Type	Electric	Electric	Electric	Dual Initiation	Electric	Electric	Electric	Non-Electric	Dual Initiation	Non-Electric	Mechanical
Firing Cycles Per Battery	~300+	~300+	~300+	~250+	~150+	~250+	~200+	—	~250+	—	—
Battery Type	9V	9V	9V	9V	AA	9V	AA	—	9V	—	—
Output Volts DC	150	225	350	450	330	400	350	400 x 2	400	400	400
Output Joules	1.25	4	5	5	19	12	6.125	12 x 2	12	12	12
Initiation Resistance (ohms)	50	135	230	250	220	240	N/A	—	240	—	—
Estimated Single Series Caps	20	62	110	120	105	115	20	—	115	—	—
Waterproof	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	—
MSHA Approved	✗	✗	✗	✗	✗	✗	✓	✗	✗	✗	✗
Rapid Charging	✓	✓	✓	✗	✓	✗	✓	✗	✗	✗	✗
Detachable Belt Loop	✓	✗	✓	✗	✗	✓	✓	✓	✓	✗	✗
Continuity Indicator	✗	✓	✓	✗	✗	✓	✗	✗	✓	✗	✗
CE Approved	✓	✗	✗	✗	✓	✗	✗	✗	✗	✗	✗

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When to pick each

HB-10 Electric Initiator

Pick the HB-10 when you are firing small construction shots and want a compact, hand-held electric initiator. 50-ohm capacity, 9V battery, fits on your belt. Roughly 20 caps per single series.

HB-55 Electric Blasting Machine

Pick the HB-55 for mid-sized electric shots that need built-in circuit continuity verification. 135 ohm capacity, fires roughly 62 caps in single series.

S-355 Compact Electric Blasting Machine

Pick the S-355 when you need 230-ohm capacity in a compact form factor. Continuity indicator built in, rapid charge, fires roughly 110 caps per single series.

HB-SBS Blasting Machine - Dual Initiation

Pick the HB-SBS when crews switch between electric and shock-tube circuits. Auto-detects what is connected. 250-ohm electric capacity, fires roughly 120 caps single series.

HB-320 Rugged Waterproof Blasting Machine

Pick the HB-320 for large production circuits and harsh environments. 220-ohm capacity, 19-joule output, AA-battery powered, CE approved. Roughly 105 caps single series.

S-412 Blasting Machine with Circuit Continuity

Pick the S-412 for large electric shots where pre-fire continuity verification is critical. 240-ohm capacity, continuity indicator, fires roughly 115 caps single series.

HBR-20P Blasting Machine - MSHA Approved

Pick the HBR-20P for underground coal and gassy metal/non-metal mines. MSHA-approved permissible unit, auto-shunts output 4.5–8 ms after firing. AA battery, roughly 20 caps single series.

S-2 Non-Electric Blasting Machine

Pick the S-2 for shock-tube firing on large surface benches. Two 400-volt outputs, 12 joules each. Immune to stray current and RF energy.

S-3 Powerful Blasting Machine

Pick the S-3 when you need a high-energy dual-initiation machine. 12-joule output, 240-ohm capacity, continuity indicator. Fires roughly 115 caps single series.

S-27 Blasting Machine

Pick the S-27 as a robust non-electric shock-tube firing device. 400-volt, 12-joule output. Heavy-duty build for production benches.

HR-3 Mechanical Starter

Pick the HR-3 when you want a battery-free mechanical starter for shock-tube initiation. No electronics, no batteries, no charging — a reliable backup for any non-electric circuit.

Electric vs. Non-Electric vs. Dual

Match the circuit to the machine.

Electric machines fire electric detonators through insulated leg wires. Precise and testable, but electric caps are sensitive to stray current, static, and RF energy — so leads have to be shunted and RF safe distances followed.

Non-electric machines fire shock-tube starter lines with a high-voltage spark. Shock tube is immune to stray current and RF, which is why it is common on large surface benches.

Dual-initiation units handle both circuits in one tool — useful when crews switch between systems.

MSHA-approved permissibles are required for underground coal and gassy metal/non-metal mines. These machines auto-shunt electrical output in milliseconds after firing to meet federal safety requirements.

Field results

11

Machines in the range

electric, non-electric, dual, mechanical

4.5–8 ms

Auto-shunt time

HBR-20P (MSHA-approved)

01

Solid-state, sealed, durable

Every unit is capacitor-discharge solid-state, sealed to IP67 or IP68 against water and dust, and housed in HD urethane. Tested from −20°F to 140°F. Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.

02

Sized for any shot

From 50-ohm hand-helds for small construction up to 250-ohm units for large production circuits. Match the machine to the shot with headroom — never run the circuit to the edge of the rating.

03

Foolproof firing sequence

Heavy-duty push-down binding posts for glove-friendly lead attachment. Sequenced two-switch Charge/Detonate operation prevents accidental discharge. MSHA-approved units auto-shunt within milliseconds of firing.

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