Product category:
Cleaning media and cleaning systems
News Release from: Vapormatt | Subject: Vapormatt wet blast machine
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 02 November 2007
Wet blast machine identifies surface
defects
A wet blast machine in a dedicated surface cleaning and preparation cell enables surface imperfections or cracks to be identified quickly and efficiently.
Motor sport industry exhaust systems manufacturer, SS Tube Technology said that a recently installed a Vapormatt wet blast machine has superseded time-consuming manual cleaning It has also streamlined the refurbishment operation, enabling surface imperfections or cracks to be identified quickly and efficiently
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 6 Jun 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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Wet blast cabinet locates flush against a wall
Designed for both ease and economy of operation, a compact wet blast cabinet is ideal for either the small workshop or production operations and can be located flush to a wall.
System degreases, wet blasts and in one cycle
Turbine-based, automatic airless wet blast cleaning and degreasing machine is specifically designed for the batch cleaning of heavily soiled and oily parts in one automatic cycle.
The manual 'Vapormate 3' wet blast machine is part of SS Tube's dedicated surface cleaning and preparation cell at the company's advanced exhaust production and refurbishment facility near Witney, Oxon, UK.
The manual 'Vapormate 3', has a 995 x 700 x 700mm processing enclosure and is used mainly in refurbishment work to thoroughly remove heat scale and other surface contamination from exhaust systems before inspection and any reworking.
The exhaust systems, usually in 321 stainless steel, Inconel or othe alloys, are often complex and expensive to produce.
Further reading
Blacking carried out safely at room temperature
Traditional methods of 'blacking' iron and steel components involve the use of aggressive caustic-based solutions, but it now can be done at room temperature with friendlier chemicals.
'Blacking' carried out safely at room temperature
Room temperature 'blacking' process operates at room temperature (18degC to 24degC), by using an environmentally friendly chemical that is non-hazardous to operators.
Wet blasting cleans up extrusions a treat
Production trials show that wet blasting gets a much better result than ultrasonic or mechanical brushing preparation systems on extruded profiles, and is safer and more environmentally acceptable.
Therefore,refurbishing them to maximise operating life is economically sensible, said SS Tube.
* Operation - the process utilises water and a fine glass bead media in suspension, delivered by a slurry pump and accelerated by compressed air to the manually operated process nozzle (automatic nozzle manipulation is an available option for dedicated, repetitive tasks).
The action of the slurry scours the surface to produce a thoroughly clean and lightly abraded surface, without impingement.
Another option is to heat the water and add mild detergent to effectively remove grease or oil.
The ratio between the water pressure and air pressure in the process nozzle is variable, said Vapormatt to manufacturingtalk.com.
It maintains an effective 'water buffer' between the abrasive media and the surface being processed.
This technique produces a lubricating action and washes the surface continuously during processing.
No solvents or other potentially hazardous chemicals are involved, so the process is not subject to strict legislation governing solvent emissions (the EU Solvent Emission Directive, soon to become law), VOC or dust emissions.
SS Tube also uses the Vapormatt machine ifor general component surface preparation and cleaning.
The machine is located next to an ultrasonic cleaning bath and a trichloroethylene sealed vapour degreasing unit, both of which are used for associated surface cleaning applications.
* About SS Tube - SS Tube Technology
Vapormatt told manufacturingtalk.com that the company continually invests in new equipment in order to ensure the optimum quality demanded by this sector.
SS Tube uses a conventional CAD system with highly specialised 3D exhaust design software, which is believed to be the most advanced of its kind in the world.
In addition to its mainline motor sport business, SS Tube Technology also undertakes precision tube fabrication for other high-tech and industrial applications.
The company has recently been appointed as the exclusive exhaust supplier for the new Elan-built 'DP01' chassis for the Champ Car Series 2007 through to 2009.
This, said managing director, Stuart Barron: "Could only be achieved with our 3D CAD design and build software".
* About Vapormatt - Vapormatt Limited manufactures a wide range of wet blasting cleaning and degreasing systems.
The machines range from manual cabinets such as the 'Vapormate 3' installed at SS Tube Technology, to large automatic machines for special applications.
These include the surface preparation of wire products and the paint stripping of aircraft wheels.
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