Cleaning of Complex Fabrications for the Military Industry

Problem:

Clean complex fabrications for military vehicles to a near white metal finish (SSPC-SP 10) at a high production rate.

Solution:

To design an effective surface treatment process, Industrial Associates conducted numerous test runs in our demonstration and R&D lab. We designed and manufactured a custom fixture that would simultaneously hold four of the 84″ long by 48″ high parts for optimal efficiency. Parts were held in a star configuration, which enabled 100% of the surface to be cleaned while allowing the drainage of the steel abrasive from the pockets of the part. The fixture was mounted on a Bronco 7′ diameter fixed table blast. The parts were rotated through the blast area and exposed to the blast pattern created by two 20 HP, 16″ diameter, 3600 RPM Bronco direct drive blast wheels.

A production rate of 3 pieces per 5 minute blast cycle was achieved, and the parts were shot blasted to customer specifications with a turnaround time of 6 weeks from conceptual design to installation. The complex parts were cleaned and delivered to our customer in Central Wisconsin. Industrial Associates is a leading supplier of premium blast equipment, able to develop surface prep solutions for demanding applications. For more information about this military blasting project, or any of our metal finishing capabilities please see the table below or contact us directly.

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Project Highlights