What is the MagTrack Sandblaster Swing Arm used for?

The MagTrack Sandblaster Swing Arm is used to mechanically extend the cleaning and blasting reach of a robotic crawler across large steel surfaces, allowing operators to treat a wider area in a single pass without repositioning the machine. It mounts directly onto the MagTrack carrier and rotates to cover surfaces that would otherwise require repeated manual intervention. The sections below unpack how it attaches, where it performs best, and what operators can realistically expect from the system in the field.

How does the MagTrack Swing Arm attach and move across surfaces?

The MagTrack Swing Arm attaches directly to the universal carrier of the MagTrack robotic crawler, integrating with the existing modular frame without requiring additional structural modifications. The arm pivots on a central axis, sweeping across the surface in a controlled arc while the crawler itself remains anchored by its magnetic wheels. This combination of fixed magnetic grip and rotating arm motion allows the system to cover a wide cleaning path in a single pass.

The magnetic crawler wheels maintain continuous contact with the steel substrate throughout the swing motion. Because the magnets hold the carrier firmly against the surface, the arm can rotate and apply blasting force without the unit shifting or losing traction. This is particularly valuable on vertical and overhead surfaces, where gravity would otherwise make equipment control far more demanding for a human operator.

The drivetrain is electrically powered and remotely controlled, meaning the operator directs both the crawler’s travel direction and the arm’s sweep from a safe distance. The remote controller allows fine adjustments to speed and positioning, giving technicians precise command over coverage without being physically close to the blast zone.

What surfaces and industries is the MagTrack Swing Arm designed for?

The MagTrack Swing Arm is designed primarily for flat and slightly curved steel surfaces, making it well suited to large-scale industrial structures such as ship hulls, storage tanks, offshore platforms, and structural steelwork in petrochemical and energy facilities. The system’s magnetic adhesion requires a ferromagnetic substrate, so steel is the operative material across virtually all intended applications.

In the maritime sector, the swing arm configuration is particularly effective on the broad, relatively flat hull sections of vessels undergoing dry-dock maintenance. The ability to cover a wide cleaning path per pass significantly reduces the time a ship spends out of service. In offshore and petrochemical environments, where access is restricted and safety requirements are stringent, the remote-controlled operation keeps personnel away from the most hazardous zones.

The MagTrack platform is also deployed in general industrial maintenance across manufacturing plants and power generation facilities, anywhere large steel surfaces require periodic surface preparation before coating, inspection, or corrosion treatment. The modular nature of the carrier means the swing arm tool can be swapped for other attachments depending on the specific job requirement, making the investment versatile across multiple project types.

How does the Swing Arm improve safety compared to manual blasting?

The MagTrack Swing Arm improves safety by removing operators from direct exposure to high-pressure blasting media, abrasive particles, and the physical hazards of working at height or in confined spaces. Remote control operation means the technician maintains a safe distance from the blast zone throughout the entire cleaning process, dramatically reducing the risk of injury from equipment contact or ricocheting debris.

Manual abrasive blasting and high-pressure water jetting are among the highest-risk activities in industrial maintenance. Organisations such as SIR (Netherlands), EWJI (Europe), WJA (UK), WJTA (USA), and DIRV (Germany) all publish safety standards and guidelines specifically addressing the dangers of high-pressure jetting and surface preparation work. These bodies consistently highlight operator exposure as one of the primary risk factors in blasting operations.

By mechanising the swing and travel motion, the MagTrack system eliminates several of the most common manual blasting hazards:

• Operator proximity to high-pressure nozzles operating in the 500 to 3,000 bar range
• Prolonged physical strain from holding and directing blasting equipment manually
• Exposure to airborne abrasive particles and contaminated water spray
• Working at height or in awkward positions on scaffolding or rope access
• Fatigue-related errors during long blasting shifts

The closed blasting configuration available on MagTrack tools also contains debris and spent abrasive within the blast can, preventing hazardous material from dispersing into the surrounding environment and reducing the risk of inhalation for nearby workers.

What blasting performance can operators expect from the MagTrack system?

Operators can expect the MagTrack system to deliver consistent, high-performance surface preparation across a broad pressure range, with tools capable of operating up to 3,000 bar (approximately 43,500 PSI). This upper pressure capability places the system among the most powerful robotic cleaning platforms available for industrial use, suitable for demanding preparation standards required before protective coating application.

The cleaning path width achieved by the swing arm configuration covers a substantially larger area per pass than a fixed-position blast can, reducing the total number of crawler repositioning moves needed to complete a surface. This directly translates to faster job completion times and lower overall labour costs per square metre treated.

For closed waterblasting applications, the system connects to a vacuum unit that collects both water and debris without leakage, producing a clean, dry surface on completion. The rotating manifold with multiple jet inserts ensures even pressure distribution across the cleaning path, avoiding the patchy results that can occur with manual nozzle handling when operator fatigue sets in.

Performance consistency is one of the most significant practical advantages over manual methods. A robotic system maintains the same standoff distance, travel speed, and pressure output throughout the entire job, whereas manual blasting quality naturally varies with operator experience and physical condition over the course of a shift.

How does the MagTrack Swing Arm integrate with existing jetting equipment?

The MagTrack Swing Arm integrates with existing high-pressure water jetting infrastructure through standard high-pressure hose connections, meaning operators do not need to replace their pumping units or water supply systems to adopt the robotic crawler. The carrier is designed around a universal platform that accepts a range of modular tools, so teams already operating high-pressure equipment in the 500 to 3,000 bar range can connect the MagTrack system to their current setup.

The electrical drive system is powered separately from the hydraulic or water circuit, keeping the control and motion systems independent from the blasting pressure supply. This separation simplifies troubleshooting and means a pressure-side issue does not automatically disable the crawler’s mobility, and vice versa.

For sandblasting and vacuum blasting applications, the system connects to an external vacuum unit and abrasive supply, both of which are standard pieces of equipment in most industrial blasting operations. The ReCycleBlaster function, available as a closed-circuit sandblasting configuration, recycles spent abrasive back through the system, reducing material consumption and disposal costs over the course of a project.

Integration also extends to ATEX-certified configurations for use in explosive atmospheres, which are common in petrochemical and offshore environments. This means the MagTrack system can be deployed in zones where conventional electrically powered equipment would be prohibited, without requiring a separate equipment procurement process.

How DERC Salotech helps with robotic surface preparation

We at DERC Salotech developed the MagTrack platform specifically to address the real operational challenges that maintenance engineers, technicians, and plant operators face every day in heavy industry. The system is engineered and built in the Netherlands, drawing on over 40 years of experience in high-pressure water jetting and industrial cleaning technology.

Here is what the MagTrack system delivers for your operations:

• Remote-controlled operation that keeps your team away from high-pressure blast zones and hazardous environments
• Modular tooling that adapts to waterblasting, closed sandblasting, and vacuum blasting without replacing the carrier
• Pressure capability up to 3,000 bar (approximately 43,500 PSI) for the most demanding surface preparation standards
• ATEX Zone 2 certification available for safe deployment in petrochemical and offshore explosive atmospheres
• Compatibility with metric and SAE standards, making the system deployable across international projects without equipment conflicts
• Closed blasting configurations that contain debris and spent abrasive, reducing environmental impact and cleanup time

Whether you are preparing ship hulls in dry dock, treating storage tanks in a refinery, or maintaining structural steelwork on an offshore platform, the MagTrack system is built to match the demands of your environment. Explore the full MagTrack range to find the right configuration for your application, or contact our team to discuss a solution tailored to your specific requirements.