Wet blast machines clean tank engines quicker

Citation

(2001), "Wet blast machines clean tank engines quicker", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 48 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2001.12848cab.006

Wet blast machines clean tank engines quicker

Wet blast machines clean tank engines quicker

Keywords USF Abrasive Developments, Blasting, Cleaning, Engines

Three Vaqua® wet abrasive blast machines, manufactured by USF Abrasive Developments, have been installed by an overseas military transport workshop to streamline the degreasing and cleaning of tank engine components during overhaul and maintenance operations.

Use of the machines is reported as having cut component cleaning times substantially, resulting in reduced engine downtime and enabling the defence force concerned to get tanks back into the field quicker. Component cleaning was previously carried out manually.

Two of the Vaqua machines are semi-automatic units with 2.4m x 2.4m x 2.5m processing enclosures, each utilising four automatic process guns attached to an oscillating arm. The components are positioned on powered turntables. One machine is dedicated to the cleaning of parts with internal bores using a glass bead based wet blast media, to minimise the risk of contamination; the other employs an aluminium oxide based wet blast media for cleaning external surfaces. The third machine is a smaller "Vaqua 1300" double-skinned unit and has an integral double-skinned rotating barrel for the efficient tumble cleaning of small components such as bolts and fasteners. This machine also uses a glass bead media.

The degreasing and cleaning operation in the Vaqua machines is a three-stage process and follows stripping down of the engines and a manual pre-wash. The first stage is blasting with the wet blast media which also includes a degreasing agent. This is followed by a clean water rinse and then dry air blasting to remove residual water. Since the process operates at up to 60°C there is also an inherent drying effect.

Each machine has a full cyclone media separation unit to ensure that all fines and contaminants are removed from the system during operation. An oil removal unit is also fitted to dispose of excessive amounts of oil and grease. Reusable media are automatically recycled.

Details are available from: USF Abrasive Developments. Tel: +44 (0)1753 526511; Fax: +44 (0)1753 538093; E-mail: usfad@usfinternational.com; Web site: www.surfacepreparation.com