The engineering challenge wet blasting at scale presents
Stainless steel fabrications for food and pharmaceutical environments typically need product-contact surfaces at or below 0.8 µm Ra to meet EHEDG hygienic design guidelines. Pickling introduces chemical hazards, dry blasting compromises the passive layer, and grinding leaves directional marks that undermine finish uniformity. The Leopard and Lion Sumps are for fabricators who need to own this process and deliver it consistently.
Process control across large and irregular surfaces
The Leopard Sump operates two high powered blast guns, giving operators enough power to remove MIG and TIG weld discolouration and enough flow to get consistent finishes across large surfaces. Pinch valves allow the operator to select guns without changeover.
Working with glass bead, ceramic media, aluminium oxide, or a combination, operators have the flexibility for cutting, polishing and cleaning in one machine. Standard wet blasting produces around 0.6 µm Ra, a non-directional finish without the grinding lines that trap contamination.
Why Vapormatt
Wet blasting is a straightforward process. Pump design, slurry management, filtration and holding a consistent Ra across large surfaces are not. Vapormatt has been engineering that knowledge into its machines longer than any other manufacturer, and the process has been widely imitated as a result.
The Leopard Sump is the original: built, commissioned, and supported by the company that developed the first open sump format.
- Patented sump design: The low-profile doughnut sump holds working height to 700mm (27.6") on the Leopard and 798mm (31.4") on the Lion, without pits or platform, protecting both your facility and your capital budget.
- Dual-gun versatility: Two nozzles with selectable intensity let a single operator move between aggressive weld treatment and fine surface conditioning on the same component, without changeover or reloading.
- Consultative supply model: Vapormatt supplies the sump, the pump, the filtration, and the process knowledge. Your team builds the enclosure to your facility's exact dimensions under Vapormatt's guidance. The result fits your requirements, not what the OEM offers.
The Vapormatt Promise: the machine meets the agreed specification, or we make it right.
Iskra PIO, a Slovenian pharmaceutical machinery manufacturer, partnered with Vapormatt to adopt wet blasting using the Puma and Leopard Sump machines, replacing manual polishing and brushing to achieve faster, more consistent hygienic stainless steel surface finishes below 0.8μm Ra.
The bottom line
Fabricators who depend on subcontract finishing carry the logistics cost, share the margins and risk delays when a deadline tightens. A Leopard or Lion Sump puts the process on your floor, under your control, from day one. Send us your component dimensions and target finish and we’ll recommend the right sump.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Leopard Sump | Lion Sump |
|---|---|---|
| Base unit dimensions | 2.8m × 2.0m × 2.05m high (9'2" × 6'7" × 6'9"); scalable | 1.7m × 1.7m × 1.7m high (5'7" × 5'7" × 5'7") |
| Working height | 700mm (27.6") | 798mm (31.4") |
| Pump configuration | 2 × 5.5 kW motors | 1 × 4 kW motor |
| Blast gun 1 | 14mm boron carbide nozzle; 5m (16ft) hoses; pneumatic dead man trigger | 14mm boron carbide nozzle; 5m (16ft) hoses; pneumatic dead man trigger |
| Blast gun 2 | 12mm boron carbide nozzle; 5m (16ft) hoses; pneumatic dead man trigger | 10mm boron carbide nozzle; 5m (16ft) hoses; pneumatic dead man trigger |
| Media compatibility | Glass bead, ceramic bead, aluminium oxide, combination media | Glass bead, ceramic bead, aluminium oxide, combination media |
| Heating | 3 × 4.5 kW sump immersion heaters (standard) | 4.5 kW sump immersion heater (standard) |
| Oil removal | Floating oil skimmer on filter system | Not included |
| Chemical dosing | Auto unit for degreaser, corrosion inhibitor and biocide | Not included |
| Electrical supply | 400V, 50/60Hz, 3-phase + neutral; 40A | 380/440V, 50/60Hz, 3-phase + neutral; max 30A |