www.vixen.co.

uk

AquABLAST MAcHInES
For the ultimate finish, simultaneously blasts and degreases,
scrubs and washes producing a perfect finish efficiently
and economically.

See our VIDEO LIBRARY of all machines in action at www.vixen.co.uk

The AquABLAST 915

The Aqua
WHEELBLASTER
 Vixen is a market leader
in the manufacturing of
wetblasting machines
AquAblASt: 1515

AquAblASt: 915

AquAblASt: 1215

1
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 Principle of Wetblasting

the key to wetblasting is that the finish is produced through

flow of water borne abrasive. this creates a finer finish due to
the lubrication and flushing action of the water during the
blasting process.

The illustrations below show the different processes of grit, bead

and wetblasting.

Diagram 1 Diagram 2 Diagram 3

the dry grit and bead blasting processes are shown in the first
two diagrams, which demonstrate the severe 90⁰ ricochet that
occurs when using these methods.

the third diagram shows the wetblasting method and how

cushioning from the water, alongside the altered angle for the
Gordon Styles
media, produces a lapping effect which travels across the surface
Star Prototype, China:
of the component. the resulting finish is a satin/polished one,
which is desirable for many industries.
“The AquAblAsT is a truly great,
this process eliminates media impregnation into the component reliable and dust-free machine.”
unlike dry blasting methods, and is vastly becoming a more
popular choice for companies across the world.

2
 How the
AquAblAsT
Works
gEnERAL OPERATIOnAL uSE
• the water/media slurry is contained within the cabinet sump

• Delivery of the slurry to the hand-held nozzle is via a

glandless polyurethane pump and hoses within the machine

• Compressed air is added at the blast nozzle to accelerate the

slurry onto the component and provide the finishing effect

• After contact with the component, the slurry then drains

back into the pump and is recirculated

• Fine and broken down media and other contaminants are

fed via an overflow into a sedimentation filter at the rear
of the machine.

3
 STunnIng RESuLTS
AquABLAST APPLIcATIOnS AquaBlast Range

The AquAblAsT range brings

huge benefits to a wide variety
of industry sectors, including
aerospace, automotive,
construction and specialist
manufacturing.
The AquABLAST is particularly effective for:
• Cleaning of dies and moulds
• Removal of paint, rust, scale, carbon and similar deposits
• Surface preparation prior to bonding, re-painting and re-coating
• Satin finishing of stainless steels and other metals
• Cleaning of PCbs and electrical connectors
• Removal of small burrs from manufactured components

Advantages of Wetblasting:
• Dust-free process
• Cleans by flow and not by impact
• Simultaneously degreases and blasts
• Produces a ‘softer’ finish
• Water acts as a lubricant between media and component
• Promotes longer media life
• Avoids media impregnation on softer materials

Products Before
Products After
Treatment
Treatment

the Aqua blast Shop, Australia

Peter Berendt, Managing Director said:

“The machine’s capability is now the main focus of the business. before we invested in Vixen’s
Aquablast machine we used to finish the components using hard labour and elbow grease, whereas
now, the absolute ease of use of this machine saves so much time during the process”
4
 sTAndArd FeATures
of the AquAblAsT
mAcHines ROLLED fILTER unIT
Standard Fitment

Aquablast machines are

available in three different
model sizes: the 915, 1215
and 1515. Each of these
machines uses the same
wetblasting technology that
Vixen specialises in.
SLAM SHuT HAnDLE
the Aquablast comes with Standard Fitment

many standard features that

are specifically designed to
enhance the blasting
process and achieve the
best finishing results.

HEAT REDucTIOn VALVE

Standard Fitment

AuTO WIPE WInDScREEn

Standard Fitment
5
The AquAblAsT can be fitted with a variety of optional
extras depending on the application. These can range from
turntables, electrical settings and machine colours as well as
many more, and all can be decided upon after further
consultations with a Vixen sales engineer.

Standard features of the AquABLAST:

• Powder coated finish
• Fully stainless steel
• large viewing window with low voltage windscreen wiper
• leg mounted pressure regulator and control
• Single footswitch operation
• Dual purpose sedimentation filter
• 3KW heater complete with thermostat
• Polyurethane abrasive pump fitted with stainless steel
inlet filter and motor housing
• lightweight polyurethane blast gun
• Dust-free process

Optional Extras:
(1) Media sight glass
(2) Hydro cyclone complete with free-standing frame
(3) blast gun holder
(4) turntables
(5) twin mini cyclones
(6) trollies
(7) Single or three phase electrics
(8) Rubber blast chamber curtains
(9) And many more

1 2 3 4 5 6

6
 The Aqua
WHeelblAsTer
the Aqua WHEElblAStER uses wetblasting
technology to simultaneously blast, wash and
prepare alloy wheels after kerb damage in
one quick and simple step, ready for painting
and lacquering.

the machine combines the standard six-stage

process of manually preparing wheels into
one application, and can reduce the
application time from one hour per wheel to
just three minutes in one compact cabinet.

the process uses water mixed with an

abrasive to blast the wheel inside the
machine to create an etched finish, ready for
the next stage of the repairing process. the
use of water in the application ensures that
no media is impregnated onto the alloy
wheel, provides a washing action, and does
not strip the wheel back to bare metal.

x6
PROCESSES ALL
IN ONE MACHINE
ACID WASH POWER WASH QUICK DRY

ABRASIVE KEY RESIDUE REMOVAL DRY PRE-PAINT

7
Vixen has designed a revolutionary
new wetblasting machine designed
specifically for alloy wheel repairs -
The AquA WHeelblAsTer.
Why choose the Aqua WHEELBLASTER?
Vixen’s Aqua WHEElblAStER is designed exclusively for the operator
working in the automotive industry.

the dry blasting method of finishing alloy wheels creates dust, which is a
major hazard in the bodyshop environment, and also requires additional
washing and drying facilities before the wheel can be painted and
lacquered. the wetblasting process used in the Aqua WHEElblAStER does
not require a specific room for siting, eliminates the risk of dust and
combines all of the preparation processes in one cabinet – ideal for the
workplace.

features:
• Optional pneumatic lift complies with health and safety
• Internal spigot ensures ease of handling and loading
• Durable high pressure pump
• Dust-free process
• Compact cabinet design
• blow off gun to remove excess water and media ready for painting
• Combines six processes in one machine
• Wheels can be prepared in less than three minutes

How the Aqua WHEELBLASTER works:

the wheel is loaded onto the pneumatic lift (optional) which is raised up to the
opening of the cabinet.

the operator then loads the wheel onto the internal spigot, which is
mounted on a pivoting arm to allow for easy and hassle-free loading.

Once loaded, the operator applies pressure to the foot pedal, and the
water/media slurry which is contained in the cabinet sump is
delivered to the manual blast nozzle via a glandless polyurethane
pump. Compressed air is added at this stage to accelerate the slurry.

After contact with the alloy, the slurry drains back into the cabinet
sump to create a re-circulation system, while other contaminants are
fed into a sedimentation filter.

Watch the Aqua WHEELBLASTER case study video at www.vixen.co.uk

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 speciAl build
AquAblAsT
mAcHines
Vixen prides itself on
the variety of special
build machines it has
supplied to companies
worldwide.
the diverse range of machines
that Vixen has designed have
enabled customers to blast a
diverse range of components
effectively, ranging from
surgical instruments to large
train engines.

Vixen has launched a range of automated the machine is totally designed

wetblasting machines complete with robotic with the operator in mind, and
blasting arms – THE ROBO AQUA BLAST. has an auto load facility to
ease loading and
the RObO AquA blASt uses Vixen’s wetblasting unloading of components,
technology to simultaneously blast and wash which is particularly
components with a fully integrated seven axis useful for larger and
robot arm in a controlled environment. heavier parts.

the robotic arm is particularly effective at the design team at Vixen

maintaining a consistent high standard of work closely with the
finishing on parts in the blast chamber, and can customer to ensure that the
repeat processes with extreme accuracy (up to Robo Aqua blast is
1mm). the machine is controlled via a teach programmed and tailored
pendant and touch screen HMI, and has the specifically for each application.
ability to store hundreds of programs in its
internal memory.

to find out more about the Robo Aqua blast machine, or any other custom build option, contact Vixen
today on 01642 769333, or watch the videos at www.youtube.com/vixenuk1
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 For applications where the
standard AquAblAsT is not
suitable, Vixen surface
Treatments can supply a
custom built machine.
the expert in-house design department work closely with the
customer and develop ideas that are specifically tailored to the
individual application, or requirements of the client. these can
include changes to the size, shape and colour of the Aquablast.

the automated range of custom built Aquablast machines are

controlled via PlC programming. Vixen can tailor the PlC to the
customer’s specification, such as Mitsubishi or Siemens
formatting. As well as this, the automated machines are
controlled via a human machine interface unit which allows the
operator to control the machine easily using a touch sensitive
panel.

Vixen is also able to design machines with vertical and radial

arm options which automatically blast irregular sized
components that are not suitable for a standard Aquablast
model. the component, which can be any size, is automatically
rotated on a turntable while the blast guns move from side to
side, or up and down.

Magnetic Shields ltd

Peter Harden said:

“by using different types of media in our Vixen machine, we now have the ability to offer our customers different types of
finishes for their shields, which we were unable to do with sandblasting units. This will ultimately enable us to expand our
business further and attract new customers.” 10
Vixen are a leading manufacturer and
supplier of quality blast cleaning and
degreasing equipment, with a well
established customer base: I
A B
H

E
C F

bAE Systems
black & Decker D G
Dunlop Aviation
Ebara
Edwards
Federal Mogul
Ford Motor Company I
Fiskars A B H
Hampshire tobacco
Hotpoint E
C F
ICI
IMI Group
D G
Kawasaki
BSP/ 12.5mm CONNECTION
london underground 2

Matthew Algie
Metron technology
Mitras Automotive KG KG

2 2
Royal Ordnance I
Sharp Electronics A B H
triumph Motorcycles
tRW Automotive Systems ltd.
E
Weetabix ltd. C F
West Riding Pressings
D G

MODEL DIMENSIONS (mm). A B C D E F G H I

915 1891 1789 840 915 1075 878 880 750 873
1215 1891 1789 840 1215 1075 878 1180 1050 873
1515 2094 1939 840 1500 1075 878 1480 1350 1023

ELECTRICAL 415v 3 PHASE + NEUTRAL

240v SINGLE PHASE
73 JAY AVEnuE AIR SUPPLY 7 bar (100psi) 1.14m3/ min (40cfm)
1/2” BSP/ 12.5mm CONNECTION
TEESSIDE InDuSTRIAL ESTATE E
WATER SUPPLY 2-6 bar ( 30-80psi )
THORnABY, STOcKTOn On TEES 1/2” BSP / 12.5mm CONNECTION
DRAIN FLOOR LEVEL- APPROX 10 LITRES/ MIN
TS17 9LZ
VENTILATION 4”/ 110mm DUCT TO OUTSIDE ATMOSPHERE
TELEPHOnE: + 44 (0) 1642 769333 SUMP CAPACITY 915 1215 1515
fAX: + 44 (0) 1642 769441 WATER 50 LITRES 100 LITRES 150 LITRES
MEDIA 15 KG 25 KG 25 KG

E-mail: info@vixen.co.uk LOAD 80 / 100 KG 250 KG 250 KG

WEB SITE: www.vixen.co.uk

Vixen are a leading manufacturer and supplier of quality blast

cleaning and degreasing equipment, worldwide.