When premium Swiss toolmaker Vallorbe – a global leader in precision rasp and file manufacturing – encountered difficulties sourcing replacement pumps for their wet blasting machines, they approached Vapormatt for a solution.

The answer was Vapormatt Inside – our specialist upgrade service that retrofits existing wet blasting machines (from any manufacturer) with Vapormatt’s advanced technology.

Why was this upgrade such an effective solution?

Bandsaw blade failure is a costly problem that manufacturers have been tackling for decades. The solution? Wet blast peening - a targeted surface treatment that's transforming blade durability by addressing the root cause of failures - the gullet area of the blade.

The gullet (curved area between teeth) is the Achilles' heel of bandsaw blades. This high-stress region experiences intense tension during cutting operations, making it the primary location for crack initiation and catastrophic failure.

How wet blast peening works...

If you’re in the business of manufacturing end mills, drills, or taps, surface prep is a critical step. That’s where the Vapormatt Puma+ Vertical (with satellites) stands out.

Here’s why it’s outpacing other wet blasting systems in the field:

✅ Tailored for round shank tools - Designed specifically for tools from 3mm to 25.4mm diameter and up to 300mm long — up to 42 tools per cycle.

When preparing extrusion dies for nitriding, surface preparation is key.

Among the available methods (grinding, dry blasting, polishing), wet blasting stands out as the most effective technique. Here’s why:

✅ Produces a controlled, uniform roughness ideal for nitrogen diffusion

✅ Thoroughly cleans the surface, reducing contamination risks

✅ Gentle on the die - no micro-cracks or thermal stress

✅ Prevents abrasive embedment, unlike dry blasting

✅ Better nitriding results - improved hardness, wear resistance, and tool life

In alloy wheel refurbishment, a common question arises: Do we need to completely strip the old coating before recoating? The answer, surprisingly, is often no — and here’s why:

✅ Stable coatings can stay: If the existing finish is still well-adhered and free of corrosion, it can serve as a solid base for new coatings. Spot treatment and proper edge feathering are typically sufficient.

To learn more about the Cougar+ and Puma+ for lower volume or infrequent aerospace peening, or the Leopard, Leopard Cub, Lion and Sabre machines for higher volume peening, and to also learn about the applications and advantages of wet blasting for aersopace visit our aerosapce OEM industry page

In aerospace MRO, every decision impacts cost, precision, and shop efficiency. One shift gaining traction is moving from dry blasting to wet blasting — and for good reason.

Here’s why wet blasting is increasingly preferred for wheel and brake maintenance:

✅ Superior surface finish: Wet blasting delivers consistent, contaminant free surfaces — critical for aluminium and magnesium components. No media embedment. No reworking headaches.

Spallation is cracking, flaking, or delamination of a coating from the surface of a part.

In AM components, it often leads to coating failure under stress, heat, or corrosion.

Why does spallation happen?

• Surface contamination (residual powder, oxides)
• Poor surface roughness control
• High residual stresses
• Weak mechanical bonding

How does wet blasting help?

As manufacturers face increasing demands for consistency, traceability, and efficiency, Vapormatt has responded with Vapormatt 4.0 – our bespoke Industry 4.0 solution fitted to our automatic machines and built specifically for wet blasting applications.

What does this mean for our customers?

✅ Unmatched process control: Real-time monitoring of pressures, flow rates, and media condition ensures repeatable, high-quality surface finishes every time.

When it comes to preparing components for high-performance coatings like PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) and CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition), surface preparation is key — and wet blasting is one of the most effective and reliable methods.

Here’s why:

✅ Surface cleanliness: Wet blasting removes oxides, residues, and contaminants without embedding particles or generating heat — providing a pristine surface for coating adhesion.