Blastrac equipment is ideal for surface preparation of ship decks and hulls.

Vertical Systems

Blastrac makes shot blasting systems that prepare both the horizontal surfaces of ship decks as well as the vertical surfaces of ship hulls. The vertical systems, used in conjunction with roof rigging systems, operate in an up-and-down direction to clean and profile the surface. They are guided via remote control.

Blastrac: Right Tools for the Job

As part of the maintenance schedule for Navy ships, the flight deck nonskid coating, a two-part epoxy resin and polyglycol epoxy resin, must be removed and replaced. With an accelerated time frame for these repairs to be completed, shot blasting was the recommended surface preparation method.

The contractor used two newly developed Blastrac® machines for removal of the nonskid, which ranged from 16 mils in the valleys to 30 mils at the peaks. The machines used were two ride-on shot blasters with 48” blast patterns with a third walk-behind machine for edge work. [2-4800DH]

The choice of equipment used for the job was instrumental to its success. The three machines significantly reduced the number of machines, personnel and logistics support normally required to complete a job of this size.

Surface Preparation of Navy Ships

Compared to commonly used shot blast systems with a 20” blast pattern, these systems eliminated the need for as many as eight to ten machines, ten to fourteen personnel, and support equipment that would have been required to ensure the delivery schedule.

Additionally, since the ride-on systems had onboard dust collectors, supplemental machines were not needed, allowing other contractors to continue their deck work with limited interruption.

This choice of Blastrac equipment completed the 80,000 square feet in seven blasting days, reaching productivity rates of 1,200 square feet per hour per machine.

The Benefits of Using Blastrac

Contractors working on ships must be prepared to deal with reduced time frames, changing weather conditions, a non-controlled environment and more. Compliance with the surface preparation procedures, quality, speed, cost and no FOD are keys. You have to have the right equipment that can do the job and do it quickly.