Modified ZERO Abrasive-Blasting Cabinet Helps Aerospace Facility “Control Its Own Destiny”
This year, Clemco delivered a modified ZERO BNP-7212 Suction Blast Cabinet to MB Aerospace’s facility in East Granby, Connecticut. MB Aerospace specializes in the manufacture and repair of aero-engine components. It has five facilities in Europe and one in Asia to go with its three U.S. locations.
“This cabinet will be our repair shop’s primary method for cleaning parts from the field,” says Timothy Clark, MB Aerospace senior manufacturing engineer. “We overhaul ground turbine components in this area of the shop, but first we have to clean engine residue, scaling, oil, etc., off the parts so that we can inspect for cracks and other wear issues.”
More than 160 welders, fabricators, and technicians work in the shop and factory. “The guys were immediately impressed when the cabinet arrived,” Clark recalls. “First off, it’s a monster. Basically a 7-foot cube for a work chamber. But after inspecting the cabinet and using it, people have all commented on how impressed they are with the quality of the welds and the workmanship in the cabinet, and the high-quality material used to construct it. The cabinet is operating exactly as intended.”
In addition to the extra-large work chamber, this modified BNP-7212 is fitted with a 66” rotating turntable that tilts at 30° and 45° angles for pinpoint blasting. The cabinet also is equipped with a 1200 CFM reverse-pulse dust collector and a 1200 CFM reclaimer.
The components that MB Aerospace blasts with the cabinet range in diameter from 36” to 72”, and in weight from 150 lbs to 350 lbs. Before receiving the cabinet, MB Aerospace sent parts out for cleaning with a typical turnaround of about one week.
“This morning we cleaned a part in only three hours,” Clark says. “This included setup and shutdown of the cabinet, loading and unloading the part, and a wash cycle after the blasting. This is a huge timesaver for us—from one week to a handful of hours. It helps us control our own destiny by using fewer outside vendors and working more in house.”
Aside from the cabinet, MB Aerospace is thrilled with the service it received from its local Clemco distributor and Clemco.
“We are extremely pleased with Craig Jasinski of New England Metal Finishing,” Clark says. “This was a yearlong process from my initial phone call, to the quote, to drawings and modifications, to delivery, installation, and now fully operational. Craig was great all along, and then near the end of
process Nathan Bjornson of Clemco was equally helpful with quickly troubleshooting and resolving minor issues. We are considering purchasing cabinets for some of our other locations.”
