A high-performance abrasive blasting system has been installed by Hodge Clemco (www.hodgeclemco.co.uk) within an existing chamber for the surface preparation of steelwork for commercial trailers and vehicle bodies manufactured by Tiger Trailers in Winsford, Cheshire.

Originally the company used sub-contractors to prepare chassis and other steel parts on-site, before they were painted.

With sales growing rapidly and a high standard of finish for its products a priority, Tiger Trailers asked Hodge Clemco to convert the existing preparation room into a self-contained blast-room (with dust extraction and media recycling) for use by its own staff.

The room, which is 20m long x 6m wide x 8 m high, has been fitted with a complete air-flow and dust extraction system that operates at 14,000cfm to maintain clear visibility for operators.

Two high-capacity machines with an expendable abrasive capacity of 300kg each are used for the blasting work; they include large-bore pipework for efficient air-flow and large access plates for easy maintenance.

The media recovery system installed by Hodge Clemco consists of a hopper in the blast-room floor, feeding a separator system where contaminants, fines and dust are removed by an air-wash system and a scalping drum.

Clean abrasive is delivered continuously to a large storage hopper, which allows the two blast machines to work for long periods without interruption.

The system has been designed to handle the chilled iron abrasive generally used. Dust is collected automatically for disposal.

The contract required close collaboration between Hodge Clemco and Tiger Trailers to minimise disruption; it also included training for up to six Tiger personnel.