Somerset-based Vapormatt (www.vapormatt.com), a leading manufacturer of precision wet-blast systems, has launched a fully integrated modular wet-blast machine (badged Oncilla) for the edge honing and surface preparation of all types of round shank and solid cutting tools.

It incorporates a blast chamber, washer/dryer, elutriation tower (for separating large particles from smaller ones), control and robotic handling units — in a single compact high-performance system.

Vapormatt says Oncilla is a cost-effective simple-to-use machine that can improve the productivity and finished quality of tools, including tungsten carbide and high-speed-steel inserts, round-shank tools, drills, taps and milling cutters.

Moreover, its modular design offers customers a wide range of options, allowing them to select the machine that best meets their needs and budget.

Combining all processes into a single self-contained machine also eliminates the need to use multiple machines for tool finishing, thereby reducing cost, part movement, human intervention, complexity and overall equipment footprint.

The machine’s micro-nozzles are designed to offer exceptionally fine control of the blast pattern, with a laser indexing system ensuring that the edge honing and surface preparation processes begin and finish at precisely the
correct point on each tool; this is ideal for the edge honing of multiple tool pieces, where consistent and accurate profiles are required. Furthermore, the micro-nozzles reduce air and energy consumption by up to 80%.

Each Oncilla machine incorporates an industry-standard colour HMI, providing a simple-to-use menu-driven interface, with the option of remote monitoring, process batch recording and programming.

The machine accommodates tools up to 30mm in diameter and 303mm long.