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Surface preparation of a number of major components used in the latest versions of the Rolls‐Royce RB211 gas turbine aero‐engine, prior to bonding and painting operations, has been radically streamlined with the recent installation at the company's Parkside plant of a specially‐designed Vacu‐Blast programme‐controlled dry blasting machine, costing some £94,000. (Vacu‐Blast is part of the BTR Group.)

The construction of ships in pre‐fabricated sections — or blocks as they are frequently termed — has made it necessary to develop new and faster techniques for treating the fabricated sections before they are painted. Vacu‐Blast Ltd., a member of the Allied Polymer Group, has been studying the problem for some time and the first major order for a completely new style blasting and grit recovery system, has just been won against strong international competition, from Wits Amsterdam B.V. This well‐known paint contracting company — a subsidiary of Wits United — is installing the Vacu‐Blast system in two specially designed blasting halls provided by the Netherland Dock and Shipbuilding Company of Amsterdam (NDSM) for whom Wits have acted as contract coating specialists for 65 years.

The ever‐increasing problems associated with acid pickling of wire to remove scale are accelerating the development of alternative methods. Recently, the Firth Co. Ltd., of Warrington, carried out an extensive test programme of the Wirescale system now being marketed in the United Kingdom by Vacu‐Blast Ltd. The outcome of these tests, in which wire was completely descaled at speeds of up to 1,000ft/min (300m/min), is summarized in the following report.

VACU‐BLAST LTD, part of the BTR group, has just supplied a £100,000‐plus automatic impact treatment plant to TAP‐Air Portugal for the airline's extensive servicing and maintenance complex at Lisbon Airport.

Closed‐circuit and cabinet abrasive blasting machines from Vacu‐Blast, Slough, are being utilised for a wide variety of surface engineering tasks at the British Aerospace Aircraft Group's Warton Division, Preston.