Vixen Surface Treatments turns 30

Every year Vixen, which was founded in 1990, produces thousands of machines and has customers as far away as the USA, South Africa and New Zealand. 

Its most popular range is the Aquablast machine. These wet blasting cabinets ensure a superior finish and are a perfect alternative to dry blasting. With a dust-free process and the addition of water mixed with abrasive media, parts are transformed to a like-new condition. Making this machine ideal for cosmetic surface finishing as well as industry applications such as automotive, medical and aerospace. This process allows for components to be kept cleaner for longer. 

The Aquablast® machines are manufactured from stainless steel and are available in three different model sizes: 915, 1215 and 1515. As well as this, Vixen can offer completely bespoke models of the Aquablast with its in-house designs team to ensure each design meets the individual requirements of any company.

Vixen’s Aquablast machines not only aid and support productivity in companies, it also provides new business opportunities. After purchasing an Aquablast cabinet, customers in the UK and abroad have gone on to set up their own vapor blasting business.

David Walkins from New Zealand set up ‘Blast N Bits’ after purchasing the Aquablast 1215. He said: “The Aquablast 1215 is very easy to get a professional finish on just about any component. I was using dry blasting before and it just wasn’t satisfactory. I often do smaller parts in front customers and they are often surprised at how good their items come out.

"I had a wonderful service from Vixen, the exports manager answered all my queries about shipment to New Zealand. The machine arrived on time and was exactly what I expected and has worked faultless since. It is very well made, affordable and very easy to use.”

Vixen also produces the Aqua Wheelblaster which has been exclusively designed for alloy wheel preparation. This cabinet uses the Aquablast process to perfectly etch wheels to create a key ready for painting and powdercoating. The machine blasts, washes and prepares alloy wheels in one quick and simple step. In car bodyshops it can prepare wheels in just 3 minutes, instead of manual cleaning which can take up to an hour. 

As well as its blast cleaning range, Vixen also manufactures washing, degreasing and phosphating equipment. This machinery comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and uses a spraying or immersion process for almost any size or shape of component, so the needs of every customer are met, regardless of whether machines are automatic, top or front loading or need to be developed as a conveyor or with a continuous inline Archimedes screw. 

All Vixen’s machinery is purpose-built with the component in mind, as to whether parts can be processed individually or in batches. This range of equipment is also designed and built to allow for as many stages as needed. From high pressure wash, hot rinses to assisted dry. If a standard washing, degreasing or phosphating machine is not applicable, Vixen’s in-house designs team can create and deliver such results.

Hydraforce in Birmingham, UK said: “Vixen stood above their competitors with their ability to listen and understand our requirements. They worked with us to design and develop a bespoke washing and cleaning facility line to produce clean and contaminate-free products.”

The company’s celebrations are currently on hold due to the current Covid-19 outbreak but hope to recommence when it is safe to do so throughout 2020 and 2021. One of the ways Vixen will be recognising its success of 30 years in the surface treatment industry, is with special offers and exclusive event invites to customers. 

One way it’s celebrating this milestone is with a personalised Porsche GT3 which will see customers getting behind the wheel at exclusive track days throughout Europe, including Silverstone in 2020 and 2021.

For more information on Vixen’s full range of blasting, degreasing, washing and phosphating equipment, visit www.vixen.co.uk.