Crystal Mark
Crystal Mark is a family-owned Glendale, California manufacturer of SWAM-Blast precision micro-abrasive blasting equipment, proprietary abrasive powders, and automated work cells serving electronics, medical device, semiconductor, aerospace, and conservation customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1967
- HeadquartersGlendale, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Crystal Mark does
Crystal Mark, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned precision micro-abrasive blasting equipment manufacturer founded in 1967 in Glendale, California, by Ernie Swan and currently led by his son Jawn Swan (President) along with Keith Swan. The company designs and builds the SWAM-Blast platform of micro sandblasters (LV-1, XV-1, MV-2, MV-2L, MV-241, EV-2, EV-2L), operating across a pressure range below 1 psi to 300 psi with abrasive particle sizes from sub-micron to 500 microns. Core technology combines a vibratory powder feed with independently controlled powder flow and air pressure, supplemented by ESD-control subsystems (Point Ionizer, ionized work chambers), proprietary consumable abrasives (Carbo Blast wheat-starch media for conformal coating removal, Burr-Blast K water-soluble media for medical deburring), and custom automated work cells (Belt Abraders, Rotary Work Cells, SWAM C-5100 wafer processing systems).
The company serves three primary use-case segments: electronics manufacturing (selective conformal coating removal on printed circuit boards, legacy component rework), medical device manufacturing (deburring of titanium, nitinol, and stainless-steel implants and instruments), and semiconductor processing (silicon wafer edge beveling and MEMS micromachining), with secondary revenue from museums and conservation customers such as Carnegie Museum and St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague. Its customer base includes NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, CTL Amedica, and other industrial OEMs; Crystal Mark's only disclosed vertical concentration is that 10% of sales are museum-related.
Crystal Mark generates revenue through a three-stream model: one-time equipment sales (SWAM Blasters, automated systems, work chambers, nozzles, dust collectors, accessories), recurring abrasive powder and consumable sales (proprietary and standard media), and professional services including in-house job-shop processing, R&D process development, sample processing/feasibility testing, and equipment refurbishing. Pricing is quote-based with no published list pricing on equipment; the company sells through a consultative, direct sales motion supported by regional representatives and a free sample-processing service that validates applications before equipment purchase. Distribution is single-country/domestic (United States) with no external channel partners, distributors, or institutional investors evidenced.
Crystal Mark firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Crystal Mark
- Legal name
- Crystal Mark, Inc.
- Website
- https://crystalmarkinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1967
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Crystal Mark is a family-owned Glendale, California manufacturer of SWAM-Blast precision micro-abrasive blasting equipment, proprietary abrasive powders, and automated work cells serving electronics, medical device, semiconductor, aerospace, and conservation customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Crystal Mark industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Precision Micro-Abrasive Blasting Equipment
- NAICS
- Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (3333)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Surface Preparation & Abrasive Blasting (Sand/Grit/Shot/Waterjet) (IMAIAKAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Surface Preparation Equipment (Shot Blasting, Scarifiers, Grinders) (IMAHALAL), Surface Treatment & Finishing Equipment (Coating, Plating, Deburring, Shot Blasting) (IMAHADAJ)
Keywords
Where Crystal Mark is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glendale
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Crystal Mark business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Equipment Sales: Sale of micro sandblasting equipment including SWAM Blasters, work chambers, automated systems, and accessories. Equipment ranges from manual bench-top units to fully automated production systems.
- Abrasive Powders: Sale of proprietary and standard abrasive powders including Carbo Blast, Burr-Blast K, and conventional abrasives like silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, glass beads, sodium bicarbonate.
- Job Shop Services: Custom processing services using company's equipment and expertise. Customers can send samples for proof-of-concept processing before purchasing equipment.
- Process Development and R&D Services: Consultative process development to confirm feasibility and calibrate processes for customer-specific applications. Part of pre-sales support and ongoing customer engagement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Arm Supports accessory pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Crystal Mark product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Crystal Mark designs, manufactures, and sells SWAM-Blaster precision micro-abrasive sandblasting equipment, custom automated processing systems, ESD-safe conformal coating removal work cells, and proprietary specialty abrasive powders. The company also provides job shop processing, sample feasibility services, R&D process development, and equipment refurbishing for electronics manufacturers, medical device makers, semiconductor processors, and conservation/museum customers.
Product overview
Crystal Mark Inc. offers a comprehensive portfolio of precision micro-abrasive blasting technology products and services. The core offering centers on SWAM-Blaster Micro Sandblasters (available in LV-1, XV-1, MV-2, MV-2L, and MV-241 models) that provide independently controlled powder flow and air pressure for precise material removal. These are complemented by Automated Systems including Belt Abraders (C129, C149, C169), Rotary Abraders (single and dual spindle), and the SWAM C-5100 for silicon wafer processing. Conformal Coating Removal (CCR) Equipment utilizes Point Ionizer technology for ESD-safe selective coating removal. Supporting products include Work Chambers (TURBO series), Abrasive Powders (Carbo Blast, Burr-Blast K, and standard abrasives in sub-micron to 500 micron sizes), Nozzles and Connectors, and Dust Collectors. The company also provides R&D Process Development and Job Shop services for application validation and custom processing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SWAM Blaster: Micro sandblaster product line including models MV-2, MV-2L, MV-241, LV-1, XV-1, EV-2, EV-2L for micro abrasive blasting applications
- SWAM-BLAST
- Carbo Blast
- Burr-Blast K
- Point Ionizer
- Turbo-Max
- Turbo-Station
- Turbo-Cab
- SWAM Rotary Work Cell
- SWAM Belt Abrader
Products and services
- SWAM-Blaster Micro Sandblasters
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced deburring time from 30 minutes to 1-2 minutes per part
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Crystal Mark
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Crystal Mark technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Crystal Mark partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Inc. MagazineminorFeatured in Inc. Magazine article 'The Business of the Museums' (July 2009) documenting companies involved in Pittsburgh's natural history museum dinosaur exhibit.
- NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterminorNASA conducted formal evaluation of Crystal Mark's SWAM Blaster technology for conformal coating removal from printed wiring assemblies. Study by Harry Shaw (NASA/GSFC) evaluated ESD effects and coating removal effectiveness using wheat starch, sodium bicarbonate, plastic beads, and glass bead blast medias. Results published in NASA technical report.
- St. Vitus Cathedral, PragueminorCrystal Mark supplied equipment and tons of crushed glass for restoration of The Last Judgment mosaic (904 sq. ft.) on the south facade of St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle. Project collaborated with Getty Conservation Institute and Office of the President of the Czech Republic (1998-2000).
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Crystal Mark competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Wheelabrator Group: Wheelabrator Group is a global large-scale industrial surface preparation and shot peening equipment company, overlapping with Crystal Mark in abrasive blast-based surface treatment but operating at much higher capital equipment volumes for automotive, aerospace, and foundry customers.
- Clemco Industries: Clemco is a long-established US manufacturer of abrasive blasting equipment and consumables with a much broader portfolio (pressure blast cabinets, portable blasters, protective gear), competing with Crystal Mark in industrial surface preparation while serving a wider customer base.
- Rösler Oberflächentechnik: Rösler is a leading global manufacturer of mass finishing, shot blasting, and surface treatment equipment and consumables, competing broadly with Crystal Mark in precision surface finishing, particularly in medical and aerospace parts finishing.
- Kennametal: Kennametal is a major industrial tooling and wear-resistant materials supplier whose abrasive and super-abrasive product portfolio overlaps with the consumable/media side of Crystal Mark's business, serving similar metalworking and surface finishing customers globally.
- Airblast: Airblast is a global manufacturer of blasting equipment, blast rooms, and abrasive media serving oil & gas, marine, and industrial surface preparation markets, with overlap to Crystal Mark in precision blasting equipment but at a much broader and heavier industrial scale.
- Pangborn: Pangborn designs and manufactures industrial shot blast and surface preparation equipment for heavy industry, adjacent to Crystal Mark's niche in that both serve surface treatment applications, though Pangborn focuses on larger-scale structural and foundry blasting.
Emerging players
- Cold Jet: Cold Jet pioneers dry ice (CO2) blasting as an alternative surface preparation and coating-removal method, addressing the same electronics, medical, and industrial cleaning use cases as Crystal Mark's SWAM-Blast but with a non-mechanical, non-abrasive technology.
Direct peers
- Guyson Corporation: Guyson manufactures industrial blast cabinets and surface finishing equipment, including micro-abrasive and bead blasting systems, addressing similar precision cleaning and surface preparation use cases as Crystal Mark.
- Comco Inc. Comco Inc. is the most direct competitor to Crystal Mark in precision micro-abrasive blasting equipment, serving overlapping electronics, medical, and aerospace customers with comparable nozzle-based sandblasting systems.
Regional players
- Burwell Technologies: Burwell Technologies is an Australia-based manufacturer of abrasive blasting and ultrasonic cleaning equipment for precision industrial and medical applications, comparable to Crystal Mark in micro-abrasive processing but focused on the APAC region.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Crystal Mark social profiles
Digital presenceCrystal Mark financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Crystal Mark leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Crystal Mark funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Crystal Mark M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Crystal Mark
What does Crystal Mark do?
Crystal Mark designs, manufactures, and sells SWAM-Blaster precision micro-abrasive sandblasting equipment, custom automated processing systems, ESD-safe conformal coating removal work cells, and proprietary specialty abrasive powders. The company also provides job shop processing, sample feasibility services, R&D process development, and equipment refurbishing for electronics manufacturers, medical device makers, semiconductor processors, and conservation/museum customers.
Is Crystal Mark a public or private company?
Crystal Mark is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Crystal Mark founded?
Crystal Mark was founded in 1967. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Crystal Mark based?
Crystal Mark is headquartered in Glendale, United States, in the North America region.
How does Crystal Mark make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are abrasive Powders, job Shop Services and process Development and R&D Services.
Who are Crystal Mark's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Wheelabrator Group, Clemco Industries, Rösler Oberflächentechnik, Kennametal, Airblast and Pangborn. Cold Jet is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Guyson Corporation and Comco Inc.. Burwell Technologies is listed as a regional player.
Does Crystal Mark have an API?
No public API is recorded for Crystal Mark.
What industry is Crystal Mark in?
Crystal Mark's product category is Precision Micro-Abrasive Blasting Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIAKAC, Surface Preparation & Abrasive Blasting (Sand/Grit/Shot/Waterjet), with a secondary code of IMAHALAL, Surface Preparation Equipment (Shot Blasting, Scarifiers, Grinders). Its NAICS code is 3333.