Automotive Surface finishing & Cleaning
Pull ahead of the competition with Vixen's unrivalled solutions and processes for the automotive industry
The automotive manufacturing industry is an ever-changing landscape, with the constant demand for innovation on materials and efficient parts to the increasing demand for high levels of cleanliness and superior surface finishes and treatments.
Recent years have seen the introduction of new components and methods for combustion and electric vehicles now being produced.
At Vixen, we provide solutions globally in to both the OEM, and remanufacturing facilities for deburring of cast and machined parts for engines, electrical enclosures, and cleaning of battery cooling channels for EV’s. Our solutions are also used for the cleaning and removal of surface impurities for remanufacturers.
Benefits of wet blasting for the automotive industry
Wet blasting offers several benefits for the automotive industry, making it a preferred method for various applications. We supply the global industry and have been doing so for over 30 years.
Here are some key advantages:
Highly controllable Surface Treatment: Wet blasting is a highly controllable process compared to other methods such as dry blasting. It can effectively remove contaminants, coatings, burrs and rust without causing damage to delicate automotive components, ensuring the integrity of the surfaces.
No Dust Emission: The addition of water in wet blasting suppresses dust formation, resulting in a cleaner and safer working environment. This is crucial in the automotive industry where cleanliness is essential for maintaining high-quality standards and ensuring the health and safety of workers. This also means no static build up or hazardous environments that can occur with some materials.
Precision Cleaning: Wet blasting allows for more precise control over the cleaning process. Operators can adjust variables such as water pressure, abrasive media, and nozzle distance to name just a few to achieve the desired level of cleaning without over-aggressive removal of material.
Effective Coating Removal: Wet blasting is highly effective in removing old coatings, paint, and other contaminants from automotive components. This is essential for processes like repainting or applying new coatings, ensuring proper adhesion and a durable finish.
Environmentally Friendly: The use of water in wet blasting minimizes the environmental impact compared to dry blasting methods. It reduces airborne dust and facilitates easier containment and disposal of waste, contributing to environmental sustainability.
Versatility in Abrasive Media: Wet blasting can utilize a variety of abrasive media, such as glass beads, Aluminium oxide, Ceramics, or others, and due to the high level of control the process can also work wider a wider range of media sizes, from large coarse media to very fine if the requirement calls for it. This versatility allows manufacturers to choose the most suitable media for specific applications, providing flexibility in surface preparation.
Improved Surface Finish: Wet blasting not only cleans surfaces but also leaves them with a smoother finish. This is particularly beneficial for applications where a high-quality appearance is crucial, such as in the production of automotive parts with aesthetic requirements.
Minimized Heat Generation: Wet blasting generates less heat compared to some methods. This is advantageous for components that are sensitive to heat, preventing potential damage or distortion during the process.
Reduced Media Consumption: Wet blasting uses abrasive media more efficiently compared to other methods. The water cushions the impact, and creates the ability to control and filter to a very fine level, allowing the media to be reused for a longer duration before replacement and adds consistency and repeatability to process. This results in cost savings over other methods, and a more accurate level of control over the process.
Enhanced Worker Safety: The reduction of dust and the generally lower abrasive impact contribute to a safer working environment for operators. Wet blasting helps mitigate health risks associated with exposure to airborne contaminants, improving overall workplace safety.
In summary, wet blasting provides a combination of precision, environmental responsibility, cost-effectiveness, and safety benefits, making it a superior method and attractive option for various automotive industry applications
Automotive wet blasting applications
Our Wet blasting process and solutions are used across the Automotive industry in many areas for the common reason that the process is consistent, controllable and an environmentally friendly alternative to other finishing techniques. Wet blasting can outperform other methods and save time.
Some of applications our wet blasting machines are used for are:
Deburring & Surface Finishing: Deburring of machined parts such as engine cases and covers, EV electrical enclosures, and parts that need deburring to remove the risk of shorts or interference. This is useful for parts such as turbo impellers, and other cast parts, processing them whilst leaving a smoother and uniform finish and causing no damage to critical sealing or bonding faces.
Wet blasting or washing for Reman: Removing surface corrosion, cleaning away oil and grease leaving a uniform surface finish. This adds value and cleanliness to your production or remanufacturing facility.
Cast Components: Wet blasting can be applied to clean, and finish die-cast components used in automotive manufacturing. It helps remove casting residues and provides a uniform finish to the parts.
Aluminium Wheel Refurbishment: Wet blasting is often used for refurbishing aluminium wheels. It can remove corrosion, paint, and other surface imperfections without damaging the underlying metal, providing an ideal surface for subsequent finishing processes and coating adherence.
Wet blasting is used for many other applications within the automotive industry. Some of the most common applications as well as the ones listed above can be found on our applications page by clicking the button below.
Process Driven Solutions for the Automotive Industry Surface Finishing
Our aim is to work with you and supply you the process and solution(s) to meet your requirements.
Our equipment is designed to best utilise our process to meet your requirements. By utilising our years of experience and process knowledge, and combining it with our automated technology, we can provide a complete solution that delivers control and consistency to give you the perfect finish every time.
Contact us to discuss your requirements, and how we can work with you. Or have a look at our solution pages for more information.
We also design and manufacture washing equipment which in many cases complements our wet blasting solutions.
In many applications we have implemented solutions that incorporate both blasting and washing in a one step process which can remove handling steps and increase efficiency.