When removing aerospace fasteners with E-Drill, the fastener head must be bare, conductive metal. Many aircraft, especially those with painted or sealed structures, have coatings over their fasteners. Removing these coatings efficiently is a critical step in the process.
The S-Blaster system, developed by Perfect Point EDM, is the purpose-built solution to this problem. It strips paint, primer, and other coatings quickly and precisely, preparing thousands of fasteners for EDM removal without damaging the surrounding structure or coatings.
And thanks to its lightweight, backpack-mountable design, S-Blaster can be taken directly to the workpiece, even on overhead or hard-to-reach areas, making it the most portable, efficient coating removal solution available.
What is S-Blaster?
S-Blaster is a compact, handheld spot-abrasive blasting tool designed for precision surface preparation. Unlike grinders or manual scraping tools, S-Blaster:
- Focuses a small, controlled blast area directly on the fastener head.
- Removes coatings without damaging or gouging the aircraft skin.
- Works on vertical, overhead, and hard-to-reach fasteners where manual prep is difficult.
- Can be backpack-mounted, allowing technicians to move freely around large airframes or scaffolding without hauling heavy equipment.
The tool is engineered specifically for aerospace environments, handling large volumes of painted fasteners safely and consistently.
How S-Blaster Works
S-Blaster directs a stream of fine, MIL-SPEC plastic media at the fastener head, removing coatings cleanly and efficiently. The process:
- Targets only the fastener head, leaving surrounding paint intact and minimizing touch-ups.
- Creates no sparks or heat, making it safe for use on sensitive aerospace structures.
- Works on both metal and composite surfaces, using different media types to avoid substrate damage.
- Allows thousands of fasteners per shift to be prepped for EDM cutting or screw removal with consistent results.
Combined with its portable backpack setup, S-Blaster can be used anywhere on the aircraft—from fuselage panels to vertical stabilizers—without repositioning parts or moving large machinery.
Blast Area Size and Control
S-Blaster produces a tight, well-defined blast zone, typically just large enough to expose the fastener head and immediate perimeter. This controlled size:
- Protects adjacent paint and sealant layers.
- Avoids unnecessary touch-ups or repainting after removal.
- Ensures every fastener is prepped consistently before E-Drill use.
Using S-Blaster as a Standalone Tool
While S-Blaster is the ideal companion to E-Drill, many companies use it independently as a time-saving alternative to manual scraping or picking paint out of screws.
Panel screws, especially Phillips, Torx, or other drive-type screws, are often filled with paint or coatings after multiple maintenance or repainting cycles. This buildup makes it hard for bits to engage, increasing the risk of stripping screw heads or damaging panels during removal.
S-Blaster solves this problem by:
- Quickly clearing paint and sealant from recessed screw features in seconds.
- Eliminating the need for time-consuming manual picks, scribes, or solvents.
- Preserving the screw head profile, making fastener removal cleaner and safer.
This standalone use case saves valuable technician time and reduces frustration during panel access or component replacements—even when E-Drill is not needed for full fastener removal.
Why S-Blaster + E-Drill is the Industry Standard
Paired together, S-Blaster and E-Drill deliver a fast, precise, and safe workflow:
- Coating Removal: S-Blaster clears paint or sealant from the fastener head in seconds.
- Fastener Removal: E-Drill erodes the exposed fastener precisely, preserving the hole and structure.
This combination avoids the risks of manual scraping, high-force drilling, and foreign object debris (FOD), while improving speed and consistency for aerospace maintenance teams.
Learn More About S-Blaster
S-Blaster is a critical part of the Perfect Point EDM system for damage-free fastener removal in painted or sealed structures—but it’s also a powerful standalone solution for preventing stripped screws and reducing manual prep time.
- Visit the S-Blaster product page
- Learn more about E-Drill technology
- Contact info@ppedm.com to schedule a demo or testing session for your specific applications