General Dynamics, based in Alabama, USA, is a market leader in the manufacturing of combat vehicles weapon systems, marine systems and business aviation. The company uses Vixen’s Aquablast cabinet to finish parts of machinery that are used in the military, including parts of aero plane wings and actuators. These parts, along with others, are made from a range of metals such as aluminum, stainless steel and titanium, and it is important for them to look impressive. 

Manually operated, the Aquablast 915 machine is particularly effective for creating a satin finish on metals and removing small burrs from manufactured components. The Aquablast range is designed to simultaneously blast and degrease components in a quick and easy dust-free process, which achieves outstanding finishing results on a variety of components.

The key to Vixen’s wetblasting process is that the finish is produced through flow of water borne abrasive and not by media impact. This helps to create a finer finish due to the lubrication and flushing action of the water during the process. Vixen’s wet blasting process eliminates media impregnation into the component, and as a result, is vastly becoming a popular choice for companies worldwide.

General Dynamics use their Aquablast in the last stages of the production process to deburr the components and remove and unwanted edges and ridges created during manufacturing.

The aid to vapor blasting process, staff at General Dynamics add a 120 grit Silicone Carbide blast media to the application which is very effective at deburring parts to create a cosmetic finish, which looks impressive to the eye.

Before purchasing their Vixen Aquablast, General Dynamics used another vapor blasting machine manufactured by a different company. The new Aquablast now means that the finishing process is up to 50 per cent quicker than with the company’s old machine, meaning that production times have been reduced significantly.