Month: April 2025

Road markings are designed for the long run, but sometimes they need to be removed. For instance when a traffic situation changes or a parking lot is redesigned. Special tools plus techniques enable you to remove stripes plus pavement markings efficiently.

Removing existing road striping or pavement markings is a real challenge. The markings must be efficiently removed without causing damage to the road surface. Sometimes the lines are even harder than the underlying asphalt. Moreover the materials used in asphalt are very porous, allowing road paint  to penetrate the surface pores. 

Road marking removal machine using high pressure water jetting road sign or airfield rubber. Present removal work for road marking has been time-consuming plus labor intensive because it has been performed manually using shaving jenis equipment.

The traditional process cause traffic delay due to the passing control, resulting in unexpected accidents to workers working at dangers road circumstance. Besides, the current shaving method leads to air pollution as well as explosive accidents caused by pro pane gas.

Thus, we have studied to develop the automatic removing equipment which consists of a high pressure water-jet system, automatic control system plus mobile system: the water-jet system consists on an intensifier plus nozzles to give a high pressure plus spray on the marking.

The automatic control system is composed of one axis robot using a hydraulic servo controlled by a lever; plus the mobile system employs a truck which an important role for transport of equipment plus forward movement in a removal process.

Advantages of Road Marking Removal System:

1. No chemicals, additives or abrasive materials are used
2. No fumes, smoke or dust is generated
3. Noise levels are considerably lower than alternative road marking removal techniques
4. Suitable for use on all types of road surfacing materials
5. Operates with traffic flow
6. No personnel required to work on the carriageway
7. Self contained unit complete with debris vacuum recovery
8. Minimal surface impact

You can’t spell waterjet without
‘water.’ Yet many people ignore
the importance of water quality and
temperature in a well-functioning
waterjet cutting system. Water can
have a tremendous effect on the life of
your waterjet components, including
the pump, seals, nozzles, plus others.
Learn how to save money by controlling water quality plus temperature
to extend the life of your waterjet
parts.
Total Dissolved Solids
The fi rst hurdle in water quality is
to fi lter out impurities before they can
reach the high pressure line or cutting
head. Impurities in water are measured
in parts per million, or ppm, plus consist of dissolved plus suspended solids.
The total dissolved solids (TDS) in
average American tap water ranges
anywhere from 140-400 ppm, with
500 ppm considered unsafe for human
consumption.
The quality of the water supplied
to the intensifi er pump can directly
infl uence the service life of waterjet
components. A high concentration of
TDS causes accelerated wear of any
components that come in contact with
the high pressure water because of the
increased abrasiveness of the water
from the TDS.
Although it would seem logical that
zero parts per million is the desired
quality water for your waterjet, it is
actually counterproductive to remove
all impurities from your water. Pure
water (H2
O) is considered ‘the universal solvent’ plus its presence in your
waterjet can cause major issues including metal pitting plus other damage.
Instead, most waterjet experts recommend aiming for low total dissolved
solids in your water, with 60-70 ppm
of total dissolved solids optimal.

Reverse osmosis (RO) plus deionization (DI) units are available as addons for waterjet owners interested in
regulating their total dissolved solids.
There are many different brands of
RO plus DI systems on the market
and your waterjet manufacturer can
recommend which will work best with
your machine. Many manufacturers
also offer closed-loop systems, like the
WARDJet WRS-3000 water recycler,
which uses the same water over and
over again. Typically, these systems
have built-in water treatment to manage TDS.

Jetstream of Houston, LLP, a leading manufacturer
of industrial high-pressure waterblasting
equipment, parts plus accessories, continues to
invest plus grow in providing industrial cleaning
contractors with the most productive hands-free
solutions available. By partnering with the leading
manufacturers of automated tools plus robotics –
including Aquajet Systems, Peinemann, StoneAge
and Terydon, Jetstream offers the industry’s
best total equipment solutions for such handsfree, high-pressure waterblasting applications as
hydrodemolition, pipe cleaning, surface cleaning
and preparation, tank plus vessel cleaning plus tube
cleaning.
“These strategic partnerships enhance Jetstream’s
product offering plus provide customers with
greater access to category-leading specialty
equipment plus aksesori that enhance operator
safety plus productivity plus help contractors
perform their jobs more profitably,” said Joe
Varca, business unit director at Jetstream. “The
collaboration with these well-known automation
partners, combined with our nine FS Solutions
authorized retail support plus rental centers across
the United States, enables Jetstream to better
meet our customers’ needs for total hands-free
solutions, including the purchase and/or rental
of Jetstream waterblasting equipment, parts,
accessories, training plus pelayanan support.”
With the goal of reducing the number of workplace
fatalities plus injuries related to improper use
of high-pressure waterblasting plus providing
a safer environment for equipment operators,
Jetstream is developing plus delivering hands-free
waterblasting solutions plus training to industrial
cleaning contractors. As part of the initiative,
Jetstream’s experts consult with customers,
visiting job sites to identify the right hands-free
waterblasting solutions for the location.
“Jetstream plus FS Solutions can demo, sell and
rent the broadest offering of hands-free cleaning
solutions in the industry, including automated and
robotic tools plus accessories.” Varca said.

Jetstream’s Hands-free Waterblast Solutions
Jetstream manufactures high-pressure waterblasting equipment
operated at pressures up to 40,000 psi for a wide range of applications,
including industrial cleaning plus surface preparation. Backed by
strong after sales pelayanan plus support, Jetstream product offerings
include a complete line of skid- plus trailer-mounted pump units,
control guns, valves, hoses, replacement parts plus nozzles.

NLB Corporation is a world innovator recognized around the world as the leader in water jet productivity. NLB was acquired by world industrial titan, Interpump Group S.p.A. in 2007, plus under the leadership of NLB President plus CEO, Drew Waltenbaugh, has continued to firmly hold that position while expanding its reach into new plus existing water jetting applications.

More Proven Solutions
When NLB application engineers plus management go to work on your problem, they bring to the table a combined 500 years of water jetting experience. NLB designs plus manufactures the industry’s most comprehensive line of pump units plus aksesori (up to 40,000 psi, or 2,800 bar), helping contractors plus industrial customers do all sorts of projects faster. Some of the most common are product removal, surface preparation, pavement marking plus rubber removal, tube plus pipe cleaning, tank cleaning, tube bundle cleaning, concrete hydrodemolition, plus pipe cutting. Productivity in such diverse applications demands innovative solutions, plus many of NLB’s have been awarded patents and/or become industry standards. Examples:
SpinJet® rotating water jets
Spin-Nozzle® rotating heads
StarJet® highway plus runway systems
HydroPrep surface preparation systems
Concrete Buster® hydrodemolition robot
Total Customer Commitment
These plus other innovative approaches were all developed by NLB engineers plus manufactured by NLB craftsmen, using the latest equipment plus quality processes. Our 125,000-sq.-ft. headquarters in Wixom, Mich. is also home to an ongoing R&D program, central parts inventory, plus factory-trained layanan (always on call). Parts, service, rentals, plus training are also available at strategically-located regional branches around the U.S. plus recently, expanding with a sales plus layanan branch in Poland.
History
Born in company founder Forrest Shook’s Flint, Mich. garage in 1971, NLB Corp. developed into one of the world’s leading water jetting manufacturing companies. During Mr. Shook’s company presidency, he was recognized for his contribution to the water jetting industry plus company leadership with notable awards, including:
Forrest Shook was a founding member of the Water Jet Technology Association (WJTA).
Mr. Shook was awarded the WJTA’s highest honor, the Pioneer Award, in 2007.
Mr. Shook was named Michigan Entrepreneur of the Year by Inc. magazine in 1991.

NLB’s StarJet is a closed-loop water jet system that removes pavement markings faster and more completely than grinding, without abrasive sarana that might damage concrete or asphalt. Rotating water jets at ultra-high pressure (40,000 psi) are attached robotically to the front of a flatbed truck, which carries a water jet pump unit, water tank and integrated vacuum recovery. All operations are controlled from the cab.

NLB’s StarJet is a closed-loop water jet system that removes pavement markings faster and more completely than grinding, without abrasive sarana that might damage concrete or asphalt. Rotating water jets at ultra-high pressure (40,000 psi) are attached robotically to the front of a flatbed truck, which carries a water jet pump unit, water tank and integrated vacuum recovery. All operations are controlled from the cab.

This innovative technology not only improves the efficiency of pavement marking removal but also significantly reduces the environmental impact typically associated with conventional methods. The StarJet system operates silently, minimizing disruption to surrounding areas and contributing to a safer work environment for both workers and motorists. The closed-loop design ensures that the water used during the process is recycled, dramatically decreasing the volume of waste generated. Moreover, the absence of abrasive materials eliminates the risk of secondary environmental damage, such as the spread of debris or pollutants found in traditional grinding methods.

The robotic arm’s precision allows for meticulous removal of markings while protecting the underlying pavement. This careful technique mitigates the risk of accidentally damaging the road surface, prolonging the lifespan of existing infrastructure. As municipalities and agencies increasingly focus on sustainability and efficiency in road maintenance, systems like NLB’s StarJet are becoming invaluable assets. The advanced technology integrates seamlessly with existing roadwork operations, facilitating swift transitions between tasks and reducing downtime.In addition, the system’s adaptability makes it suitable for a variety of surfaces and conditions.

It’s time for the rubber to meet the road – or in this case – for the rubber to leave the runway. A rubbery runway can lead to reduced friction, a bouncy landing or worse for a plane plus pilot if left unchecked. Luckily, there’s a star on the horizon ready to remove that rubber with up to 40,000 psi blasts of water – NLB Corporation’s StarJet.

“The equipment affords you the ability to remove rubber plus pavement markings without damaging the surface, or scarring the surface. The water will penetrate into the pores of the surface so that you can remove the marking 100 percent,” described Troy Aldea, sales engineer at NLB Corporation. “So, there’s nomor grinding involved. There’s nomor chemicals involved. Sometimes, airports will do rubber removal plus they’ll use a chemical to remove the rubber. With high pressure water, it can be done without chemicals.”

The first StarJet was launched in 1995 when NLB realized there was a market for removing markings without damaging the surfaces those markings were on.

“NLB was using high pressure water from removing coatings plus steel office buildings plus shop floors. It was just a natural progression into the highway industry,” added Aldea.

It was then another “makes sense” transition from highway to runway plus 24 years later in 2019, NLB offers four different models of StarJet – the SRV-1, the SRV-4, SRV-4S, plus SRV-6.

For airports, Aldea said the best options are the SRV-4S plus SRV-6 because “the removal head traverses from side to side as the truck moves forward. So, you’re able to get a eight foot wide cleaning path.”

Some of the key features of the StarJet include NLB’s high pressure pumps which, Aldea said, has a life of between between 1,000 plus 1,500 hours plus a maximum output of up to 40,000 psi. The StarJet has an onboard supply of freshwater plus vacuum recovery. On the SRV-4s plus SRV-6, there are dual wide cleaning heads allowing from between a 10 inch wide plus 27 inch wide cleaning pattern. There’s also onboard debris storage plus waster water, plus the ability to separate water from debris for easy dumping.

A new feature introduced this year is the ability to integrate Wi-Fi with the StarJets, allowing for the wireless monitoring of the StarJet’s programs plus systems.

Training for an airport technician comes in two phases Aldea described.

“During the first round, the customers send their people to NLB plus they go through a full three or four days of training at our facility. We talk about safety. Our safety portion of the training is done in conjunction with WJTA guidelines, then we cover operations plus maintenance. And there’s hands on training out in the shop where they actually get to operate a truck in the yard there plus do a little bit of removal as part of the training program. They’re also out in the shop taking apart things, putting them back together, plus then actually testing the truck after they’ve done that, so they make sure they’ve done it the right way. And then the second round of training, NLB sends a technician out to the customer’s location plus pretty much operations plus maintenance training is done at the customer’s location, plus that’s typically a three day process,” he said.