Vapormatt Group - Vaporblack Blacking Machine

Vaporblack Blacking Machine.

	• Blacking time dramatically reduced.
	• Non-hazardous, environmentally friendly chemistry.
	• Self-contained, space-saving design.
	• Operation at room temperature (18°C to 24°C).
	• No pre-cleaning required.
	• No dimensional change to components.
	• Inherent corrosion protection.

Vaporblacking

Traditional methods of blacking iron and steel machined

parts involve the use of aggressive caustic-based solutions,

often in open tanks, operating at temperatures up to 140°C.

The Vaporblack process, developed jointly by Vapormatt and

Blackfast Chemicals, enables parts to be processed at room

temperature (18°C to 24°C) employing a special chemical

that is far more environmentally friendly than conventional

solutions and non-hazardous to operators. Typical process

time is less than five minutes, compared with the 45 minutes

needed for traditional blacking.

Process Description

The process comprises wet blast pre-cleaning in the first

chamber to remove surface contamination, such as heat

treatment oxides and scale, followed by blacking with

Blackfast 181 blacking solution in the second chamber, a

water wash and then the application of a surface sealant

(Blackfast 833) using dip tanks mounted to the right of the

second chamber. The operation is carried out manually

under preset process control parameters.

Immersion in Blackfast 181 removes minute particles of iron

Sample parts - after blacking in Vaporblack machine


	Typical Applications :

	• Industrial Machinery Parts.
	• Cutting Tools.
	• Tool Holders.
	• Machine Tools.
	• Clutch Drive.
	• Drill Bits.
	• Hydraulic Machinery.
	• Hydraulic Blocks.
	• Taps and Dies.
	• Chains and Sprockets.
	• Springs.
	• Hand Tools.
	• Jigs and Fixtures.
	• Ball Screws.
	• Fasteners.
	• Gears.

and steel from the component surface and replaces these with an iron copper complex, which is

then oxidised (black). The surface complex produced by the process is similar to a phosphate

finish but, importantly, there are no dimensional changes. The Blackfasted substrate will absorb

oil / wax sealants into the component surface to give the treated parts corrosion protection.

The Vaporblack process (not to be confused with "Parkerising" or phosphating) can be used for

any carbon steel component with a chrome content of up to 12%, and is primarily a decorative

finish with excellent corrosion protection.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION : "VAPORBLACK" MACHINES

The Vaporblack process consists of four stages :

Stage 1 : Vaporblasting and rinse in the first machine cabinet using VBM abrasive.

Stage 2 : Treatment with Blackfast 181 by spray wash in second machine cabinet (no abrasive).

Stage 3 : Fresh water dip tank at front right hand side of the Vaporblack unit.

Stage 4 : Treatment with Blackfast 833 in rear dip tank at the right hand side of the Vaporblack unit.

VAPORBLACK VB1 MACHINE

The Vaporblack VB1 machine consists of two Vapormate cabinets mounted side-by-side in a single frame with

two open dip tanks mounted at the right hand side of the Vaporblack unit.

Overall dimensions are : 1860mm x 695mm x 1530mm (l x w x h) and generally as shown on our Drawing No.

N000TFA2.

VAPORBLASTING CABINET SPECIFICATION -VB1 (lhs Cabinet)	VAPORBLACKING CABINET SPECIFICATION - VB1 (rhs Cabinet)

• Multi-position cabinet support frame.	• Multi-position cabinet support frame.
• Abrasive pump - moulded polyurethane.	• Pump - moulded polyurethane.
• Load bearing perforated stainless steel sump grids.	• Load bearing perforated stainless steel sump grids.
• Vapormate blast gun, 0.6m³/min @ 5.5 bar	• Vapormate spray wash gun, with air acceleration if
(20 cfm @ 80 psi.	required.
• Manual rinse nozzle. (Mains water supply unless	• Window / door unit.
specified with optional re-circulated rinse package).	• Footswitch for machine operation.
• Window / door unit.	• Light unit.
• Sump overflow pipe.	• Supply cable - 2 metres (no plug).
• Hand operated moving bed paper filter.	• Cabinet sump plug (supplied loose) to allow complete
• Window wash bar (foot pump operated).	drain down.
• Footswitch for machine operation.	• Stainless steel internal cabinet fittings incl. the pump
• Light unit.	mounting frame.
• Supply cable - 2 metres (no plug).	DIP TANKS AT RHS OF VAPORBLACK UNIT
• Cabinet sump plug (supplied loose) to allow complete	• 2 Moulded plastic tanks, approx 400x270x300mm.
drain down.	capacity 25 litres.
	• The front dip tank is used for fresh water, the rear
	dip tank is used for Blackfast 833.

VAPORBLACK VB3 MACHINE

The Vaporblack VB3 machine consists of two Vapormate 3 cabinets, one cabinet is used for Vaporblasting, the

second is used for spray washing the component with Blackfast 181, two open dip tanks are mounted at the

right hand side of this cabinet. Each cabinet is free-standing to allow greater flexibility in positioning the cabinets

for production use.

Vapormate 3 overall dimensions are 1250mm 700mm x 1750mm, internal workspace is 960mm x 650mm x 600mm

(l x w x h).

VAPORBLASTING CABINET SPECIFICATION -VB3 (lhs Cabinet)	VAPORBLACKING CABINET SPECIFICATION - VB3 (rhs Cabinet)

• Roto-moulded polyethylene cabinet, black outer,	• Roto-moulded polyurethane cabinet, black outer,
white interior.	white interior.
• Multi-position cabinet support frame.	• Multi-position cabinet support frame.
• Abrasive pump - polyurethane.	• Pump - moulded polyurethane.
• Load bearing stainless steel sump grids.	• Load bearing stainless steel sump grids. (25kg max)
(25 kg maximum load).	• Vapormatt spray wash gun. Air acceleration if rqrd.
• Vapormatt Mk4 blast gun, 10mm. nozzle.	• Toughened safety glass window / door unit with
1.2m3 @ 5.5 bar (40 cfm @ 80 psi).	gas strut support.
• Manual rinse nozzle.	• Window wiper.
• Toughened safety glass window/door unit with gas	• Footswitch for machine operation.
strut support.	• Externally mounted light unit.
• Sump overflow pipe.	• Supply cable: 2m, connection to 16A supply required
• Hand operated moving bed paper filter.	• S/S internal cabinet fittings incl pump mounting frame.
• Window wiper and wash bar.	DIP TANKS AT RHS OF VAPORBLACK UNIT
• Footswitch for machine operation.	• 2 Moulded plastic tanks, approx 400x270x300mm.
• Light unit.	capacity 25 litres.
• Supply cable: 2m, connection to 16A supply required.	• The front dip tank is used for fresh water, the rear
	dip tank is used for Blackfast 833.

OPTIONAL ITEMS - VAPORBLACK VB1 VB3	VAPORBLACK VB1	VAPORBLACK VB3
Immersion heater, stainless steel unit with in-built thermostat, 2kw. Used to maintain 18 - 24°C operating temperature of the Blackfast 181 solution.	yes	yes
Re-circulated rinse package, (closed loop system).	yes	yes
Component draining board. Features a perforated stainless steel grid over a stainless steel drip tray, measures approximately 640mm x 400mm.	yes	yes
Component baskets, stainless steel Basket dimensions approximately 350mm x 200mm x 100mm (l x w x d)	yes	yes
Component blow off nozzle complete with filter regulator.	yes	yes
Clear water system for fresh water dip tank. Requires mains supply and permanent drain connection.	yes	yes
Mini-barrel system; blast and rinse processes controlled by adjustable timers. Barrel dimensions ; 250mm diameter, depth 280mm. Manually adjustable barrel rotation speed.	no	yes

• European and International Patents Pending.

Application Sheet - European version

Application Sheet - USA version.

Application Sheet - Italian version

Further information on Blackfast chemicals available from the Blackfast Chemicals web site »

Vapormatt Ltd reserves the right to change without notice any of the specifications included on this web site. The content is for illustration only and does not constitute an offer for sale, it should be noted that machines illustrated may include optional items not included in the basic specification.