Engineers at Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTU) have created a hydro-abrasive cleaning chamber for engine, gearbox, and hydraulic parts and components. The unit removes dirt and oil deposits without damaging the metal, the university's press service told TASS.

Before repair, such parts must be cleaned. Classic sandblasting is rough: a stream of solid particles removes not only dirt but also a thin layer of the surface, affecting seating areas where accuracy to hundredths of a millimeter is critical. In the NSTU chamber, a mixture of water and fine abrasive is fed onto the part under air pressure from a compressor. Water softens the impact of the particles — they wash away contaminants and oil film but do not gouge the metal. Therefore, parts can be processed directly with rubber seals.

All metal elements of the unit are made of chrome-nickel stainless steel — for corrosion protection. The body has two opening doors for convenient loading. The kit includes an NSTU-developed gun: it regulates the nozzle diameter and profile, as well as the air-to-abrasive ratio independently. This allows it to adapt to the customer's specific compressor without replacing equipment. Production of the units has already been established.