The invention is directed toward a static wet-abrasive blasting system used for cleaning, preparing surfaces, removing coatings, and other abrasive blasting applications. The wet abrasive basting system has a blast pot that includes pilot-controlled pneumatics to control the loading, pressurizing, de-pressurizing, and wash down functions. The wet-abrasive blasting system also uses a floating bung in conjunction with a vent mechanism to further automate the pressurizing steps in setting up the system. The wet-abrasive blasting system also uses pilot-controlled pneumatics to decide the blasting function options of just water, just air, or water/abrasive mix and air. Wet-abrasive blasting systems mix an abrasive media with water and convey the mix to meet compressed air and direct through a blast hose and nozzle.

A waterjet cutting method is provided which includes directing a waterjet onto a surface of a workpiece that is exposed to the surrounding atmosphere, the interaction of the waterjet with the exposed surface defining a cutting location, and simultaneously directing a gas stream onto the exposed surface of the workpiece at or adjacent the cutting location to maintain a cutting environment at the cutting location that is, apart from the waterjet, substantially devoid of fluid or particulate matter. The method may further include moving a source of the waterjet relative to the workpiece to cut the workpiece along a desired path while continuously directing the gas stream onto the exposed surface of the workpiece at or adjacent the cutting location.

The invention is directed toward a mobile wet-abrasive blasting system used for cleaning, preparing surfaces, removing coatings, and other abrasive blasting applications. The wet abrasive basting system has a blast pot that includes pilot-controlled pneumatics to control the loading, pressurizing, de-pressurizing, and wash down functions. The wet-abrasive blasting system also uses a floating bung in conjunction with a vent mechanism to further automate the pressurizing steps in setting up the system. The wet-abrasive blasting system also uses pilot-controlled pneumatics to decide the blasting function options of just water, just air, or water/abrasive mix and air. Wet-abrasive blasting systems mix an abrasive media with water and convey the mix to meet compressed air and direct through a blast hose and nozzle.

A method of removing a ceramic coating from a ceramic coated metallic article without damaging the metallic bond coating, the metallic article having a first and second portions, each of the portions comprising a metallic bond coating and a ceramic coating on the metallic bond coating, the ceramic coating on the second portion being less porous than the ceramic coating on the first portion. The method comprises the steps of a) immersing the ceramic coated metallic article in a caustic solution; b) maintaining the ceramic coated metallic article in the caustic solution at atmospheric pressure for a predetermined time period and at a predetermined temperature; c) removing the ceramic coated metallic article from the caustic solution; d) rinsing the ceramic coated metallic article in water at ambient temperature; e) water jet blasting the first portion of the metallic article to remove the ceramic coating; and f) water jet blasting the second portion of the metallic article to remove the ceramic coating.

An abrasive head with clean gas infeed for cleaning/removing material surfaces and splitting/cutting materials by a liquid beam enriched with solid abrasive particles to extend the tool lifetime by eliminating damage to the liquid jet's aperture by the abrasive, avoid degrading the abrasive inside the tool and increase the cutting power and flow efficiency.

Fluid jet cutting systems, components and related methods for generating relatively low load abrasive fluid jets that are particularly well suited for cutting fragile, brittle or otherwise sensitive materials are provided. An example method includes supplying fluid at an operating pressure of at least 60,000 psi to an orifice having a circular cross-sectional profile with a diameter that is less than or equal to 0.010 inches to create a fluid jet that leaves a fluid jet cutting head through a jet passageway having a circular cross-sectional profile with a diameter that is less than or equal to 0.015 inches.

An abrasive blasting system has an abrasive container or pot, preferably with a downwardly conically shaped interior bottom surface. A slurry delivery tube is positioned within the pot, with an open bottom end positioned at an operative distance above the bottom of the pot. The slurry delivery tube runs vertically upward and exits the pot, ultimately running to a hose and nozzle. With an abrasive slurry of solid particulate abrasive media and water inside the pot, air pressure is applied within the pot. When a relatively lower pressure is created in the slurry delivery tube, the resulting pressure differential moves the slurry downward within the pot, then upward through the slurry delivery tube, through the hose and ultimately to the nozzle, where it is directed by an operator onto a workpiece. The system is especially useful when using very fine abrasive material.

Disclosed herein are components, systems, and methods of operating an abrasive fluid jet system that recycles and reuses abrasive particles. The systems and methods described enable accurate metering and consistent feeding of wet abrasive particles thereby reducing the time and cost of operations associated with drying the recycled abrasive particles prior to reuse. The system may adjust a ratio of wet abrasive to dry abrasive being provided to a cutting head to form an abrasive fluid jet. Components of the system may overcome challenges associated with clumping and other issues that result in difficulty metering wet abrasive.

Multi-jet abrasive head for cleaning/removing material surfaces and splitting/cutting materials by a liquid beam enriched with solid abrasive particles with a uniform velocity and density profile allowing the cutting power to be increased with more efficient cutting beam usage.

An apparatus for blasting having a distribution block for receiving a blasting medium, a pressure medium and/or a fluid/liquid medium, said distribution block having an outlet connectable with at least one distributing tube.