'Closed-circuit' abrasive blasting machines

Citation

(2000), "'Closed-circuit' abrasive blasting machines", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 47 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2000.12847cad.010

'Closed-circuit' abrasive blasting machines

Keywords Vacu-Blast, Blasting, Surface preparation

A large number of mobile "closed-circuit" abrasive blasting machines from USF Surface Preparation Group company, Vacu-Blast, are being used throughout the German railway network (the Bundesbahn) for a variety of in situ surface preparation and cleaning tasks during the refurbishment and repair of rolling stock. These include selective paint stripping as well as localised corrosion and rust removal, preparation for welding and weld cleaning.

Because the robust, pressure fed PA05-HP closed-circuit machines can be moved easily to any location in a maintenance depot and are completely self-contained, they enable these tasks to be carried out quickly and effectively without affecting other nearby maintenance operations. This reportedly has led to substantial time savings in the context of overall refurbishment programmes.

Invented by Vacu-Blast, the closed-circuit system uses a special enclosed blast gun which both delivers the abrasive blast media and recovers it simultaneously by vacuum, together with resultant dust and debris. The machine's mobile power-pack then automatically separates out reusable media and recycles it to the gun. Degraded media, dust and debris are directed into a dust collector for safe disposal. This integral, continuous regrading and recycling process ensures a consistent, high-quality surface finish and minimizes running costs.

USF Vacu-Blast closed-circuit machines come in suction-fed as well as pressure-fed versions, in a range of sizes to suit low and high capacity applications. Special blast guns are available for processing angular and profiled surfaces, edges and large flat areas of floor or decking, and for cleaning hot welds. Closed-circuit machines can be used with all types of abrasive blast media: iron grit, aluminium oxide, glass and ceramic beads, steel shot, plastics and organics.

Details available from: USF Vacu-Blast. Tel: +44 (0) 1753 26511; Fax: +44 (0) 1753 538093; E-mail: info@vacu-blast.co.uk