Wire & Cable
Inline solutions and processes to enhance your manufacturing process, by adding value and efficiency without disturbance, and without the use of harsh chemicals
Wet blasting is starting to be become recognized as the preferred method for wire and cable manufacturers surface preparation requirements. No harsh chemicals are needed so caustic baths and expensive waste is a thing of the past when you switch to wet blast inline processing.
The inline process can fit directly into manufacturing lines, keeping pace with current line speeds, and in most cases being capable of exceeding them depending on your current methods.
Wet blasting Applications for Wire & Cable
Cleaning and Degreasing: Removal of oils, greases, and contaminants from the surface of wires and cables. Ensures a clean surface for improved adhesion of coatings, reducing the risk of corrosion and enhancing overall product quality. Wet blasting provides a clean surface for wire being used in the manufacture of other components, such as band saw blades and fixings.
Scale removal: Remove scale built up from heat treatment and other processes, and give a uniform and repeatable finish.
Surface Smoothing: Smoothing out the surface of wires and cables. Reduces friction, minimizes wear and tear during handling and installation, and contributes to improved performance.
Deburring: Removal of burrs or sharp edges from the wire or cable. Enhances safety during handling and prevents damage to equipment or insulation.
Surface Finishing: Achieving a specific surface finish on wires and cables. Enhances aesthetics, provides a uniform appearance, and may contribute to improved electrical properties.
Preparation for Coating: Creating an optimal surface for coatings or treatments. Improves adhesion of coatings, enhances corrosion resistance, and provides a protective layer for the wire or cable.
Radius reduction: Removal of material to meet diameter requirements leaving a uniform finish.
non specular finish on over head power cables: Surface finishing to with the correct parameters to create a non reflective surface on power cables meaning no hazard to traffic and other vehicles and less noticeable to the eye
Surface Cleaning for Bonding: Preparing the surface of wires and cables for bonding processes. Improves the strength and durability of bonds, whether through soldering, brazing, or adhesive bonding.
Removal of manufacturing wax coating: Removal of waxes used to coat wire, cable and tubing after manufacturing.
Surface Texturing: Controlled surface texturing for specific functionalities or to improve adhesion of insulation materials. Customizes the wire or cable surface for improved performance in specific applications.
Wet blasting can be customized based on the specific characteristics of wires and cables, considering factors such as material composition, diameter, and intended application. Adjusting parameters like abrasive media type, water pressure, and dwell time ensures effective and precise wet blasting for wires and cables in various industries, including telecommunications, electronics, and power distribution.
Wet blast process benefits
Our wet blasting process offers several inherent benefits that make it being the preferred surface processing method for many industries and applications. Some of the key process benefits are listed below.
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 industries 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.
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.
Uniform Surface Finish: Achieves a consistent and uniform surface finish across the entire implant, contributing to improved aesthetics and performance.
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 resulting in potential cost savings on other methods and a more accurate level of control over your 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 industry applications
Process Driven Solutions for Wire and Cable preparation
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.