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Process Cleaning Magazine
© 2012
AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology
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PC FEATURE
Wet blasting provides an environmentally friendly, dust-free method for cleaning parts, eliminating corrosion and preparing surfaces for finishing.
The largest application for the Vaqua wet blasting process is as a preparation for coatings, such as for carbide cutting tools, turbine blades and automotive parts such as clutch plates.
Each application has different requirements for parts cleaning, corrosion protection and surface preparation. Finding the most suitable solution can make or break the success of the job. The Vaqua wet blasting system, offered by Automated Blasting Systems Inc., has been the method of choice for many in a range of applications, including cleaning and peening of turbine components, airframe and instrumentation in aerospace jobs; preparation of surfaces prior to bonding, painting, plating and surface improvement; cleaning of implants and instruments in medical applications; and micro deburring and laser recast removal for precision machining. “The largest application for this wet blasting process is as a preparation for coatings, such as for carbide cutting tools, turbine blades and automotive parts such as clutch plates,” says Richard Gillott, V.P. and general manager at Automated Blasting Systems.
As cleaning requirements continue to change, this solution fills the need for versatile cleaning and degreasing, elimination of dust and strong chemicals, a healthier atmosphere and safer working conditions. It offers a way to degrease, deburr, surface condition, and leave a surgically clean surface in one operation, according to the company.
The Process
The Vaqua wet blast process uses a three-part solution of media, water and small amounts of compressed air to develop a scrubbing action on the surface being cleaned and/or deburred. This scrubbing creates a buffer between the metal and the media, cushioning the shock, deadening the downward force and eliminating impregnation into the work surface of the media or the contaminants being cleaned.
The heart of each of these systems is the solution pump, which is designed without bearings, seals or packings in contact with the solution. To promote long life, the areas that are in contact with the solution are rubber or urethane. The pump is mounted outside of the cabinet for ease of maintenance, and no components of the slurry delivery system are located below water inside the cabinet. To fit various applications, the electric motor that powers the pump is available with single-speed, two speed or infinitely variable speed settings and horsepower ratings from 0.5 to 40. The pump sizes are 1 inch, 2 inches and 3 inches, with flows as high as 1,200 gpm.
In operation, the pump pulls the mix of media and water from the cabinet sump and pushes it in a constant, high volume flow to the process gun. Immediately before the gun, a proportion of water is diverted down the bypass to provide slurry agitation. A controlled flow of compressed air is then injected into the gun to accelerate the slurry, which is then discharged onto the workpiece. The process blast guns are designed for easy handling and mounting and are fitted with boron carbide nozzles and various sized air jets.
In addition to the cleaning and finishing capabilities of the standard system, the Vaqua-D model permits simultaneous degreasing. A Klarti oil and grease separator continuously removes the top few inches of liquid from the main sump, separates the oil and grease from the good liquid, and pumps the good liquid back into the machine. The oil and grease can be separately removed from the filter for proper disposal.
Environmental Awareness
This wet blasting system is designed to provide a safe alternative to other cleaning methods that present costly and unnecessary by-product handling difficulties and potential health hazards. It is said to eliminate problems associated with meeting government regulations on chemical usage and disposal or the high maintenance costs commonly associated with dust collecting equipment used in dry blasting. If mishandled, dry blasting can also require additional costs for media consumption, spare parts and component damage. The Vaqua system, on the other hand, can be installed right next to an expensive machine tool without concern for dust.
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