In situ blast cleaning of angles, edges, curves – even hot welds

Citation

(2001), "In situ blast cleaning of angles, edges, curves – even hot welds", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 30 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2001.12930bad.012

In situ blast cleaning of angles, edges, curves – even hot welds

In situ blast cleaning of angles, edges, curves – even hot welds

Keywords: USF Vacu-Blast, Blasting, Cleaning

According to USF Vacu-Blast International, not only does its "Closed-Circuit" mobile abrasive blasting system offer a solution to the dust and pollution problems associated with abrasive blasting on site, it also facilitates the blast cleaning of internal and external angles, plate edges, curved surfaces like pipes, even hot welds. This, they believe, makes the system ideal for in situ surface preparation and cleaning applications – preparation for welding, rust, paint and corrosion removal, and postweld cleaning, for example – on all types of fabrications, plant and equipment.

A Vacu-Blast invention developed originally for cleaning the decks of ships, the big advantage of the Closed Circuit system is that it reportedly creates no dust and can operate safely in close proximity to and without hindering other equipment or processes – grinding, welding or painting, for example.

Vacu-Blast Closed-Circuit machines are said to employ a special brush-sealed blast gun which both delivers the abrasive blast media and recovers it simultaneously by vacuum, together with resultant dust and debris. The blast guns can be supplied with shaped brush seals, in different profiles – angular or curved to suit the work in hand and maintain a close seal between the gun and the surface being blasted. Other special guns are also available: an "edge gun" which simultaneously cleans the top edge and immediate sides of metal plate material prior to welding; a gun for cleaning hot welds which incorporates a phosphor-bronze brush seal; and larger guns with castors for cleaning large flat horizontal areas.

During the blasting operation, the Closed-Circuit machine's power pack is said to automatically separate out reusable media and recycle 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 reportedly ensures a consistent, high quality surface finish and minimises blast media consumption.

Vacu-Blast Closed-Circuit machines come in suction- and pressure-fed versions, in a range of sizes to suit low and high capacity applications and can be used with all types of abrasive blast media, including plastic and organic materials.

Details available from: USF Vacu-Blast International. Tel: +44 (0)1753 526511: Fax: +44 (0)1753 538093; e-mail: info @vacu-blast.co.uk