VAC-7 abrasive recovery system, complete set

Contracor VAC-7 – Powerful abrasive recovery with cascade cleaner

The Contracor abrasive recovery system VAC-7 is a powerful, electrically operated vacuum recovery system for the automatic collection, cleaning, and reuse of used abrasive. The system transports the collected abrasive to the recovery unit, separates dust, fines, and light contaminants, and then automatically returns the cleaned material to the blast pot.

Compared with the Contracor VAC-5, the VAC-7 features a particularly powerful side-channel blower and a highly efficient cascade cleaner. This gives the system increased suction and cleaning performance, making it especially suitable for professional stationary blast rooms with a regular volume of abrasive.

With a recovery capacity of up to 4 tonnes per hour, a maximum suction hose length of 10 metres, and automatic refilling of a Contracor Z-200 blast pot, the VAC-7 supports an economical, largely closed abrasive cycle.

Your benefits at a glance

• ✅ Automatic recovery and reuse of suitable abrasives
• ✅ Increased suction and cleaning performance compared with the VAC-5
• ✅ Powerful 7.5 kW side-channel blower
• ✅ Recovery capacity of up to 4 tonnes per hour
• ✅ Highly efficient cascade cleaner for abrasive processing
• ✅ Integrated high-performance cartridge filter
• ✅ Automatic pulse-jet cleaning of the filter element
• ✅ Automatic refilling of the blast pot
• ✅ Compact, stationary design
• ✅ Reduced consumption of new abrasive
• ✅ Lower disposal and cleaning costs
• ✅ Fewer manual steps during material transport
• ✅ Ideal for Contracor Z-200 series blast pots

📦 Scope of delivery

• Contracor VAC-7 vacuum abrasive recovery system
• Powerful electric side-channel blower
• Integrated high-performance cartridge filter
• Automatic pulse-jet filter cleaning
• Abrasive storage hopper
• Integrated cascade cleaner
• Automatic blast pot refilling system
• Floor hopper with grate
• 3 m rubber suction hose

Technical data

Dimensions (mm)

Increased suction and cleaning performance

The VAC-7 was developed for applications where, in addition to reliable abrasive recovery, particularly intensive cleaning of the returned material is required. The powerful side-channel blower generates the vacuum required to transport the material and enables high suction performance along the intended conveying route.

Compared with the VAC-5, the VAC-7 offers increased suction and cleaning performance. The integrated cascade cleaner supports particularly effective separation of reusable abrasive, dust, fines, and lighter contaminants.

This returns better-processed abrasive to the blast pot. This supports a more consistent blasting process and reduces the amount of unusable fines in the abrasive circulation.

Efficient abrasive recovery

The used abrasive is manually swept or shovelled into the floor hopper included in the scope of delivery. From there, the VAC-7 transports the material through the suction hose to the recovery unit using the vacuum generated.

Inside the unit, the collected material is cleaned and separated into different components. Reusable abrasive enters the storage container, while dust, fines, and light contaminants are removed from the material stream.

After processing, the cleaned abrasive is automatically refilled into the connected blast pot. The operator therefore does not have to manually transport, sieve, and fill the material into the pot.

Highly efficient cascade cleaner

The integrated cascade cleaner is a key feature of the VAC-7. The recovered abrasive is guided through the cleaner in a controlled airflow. This separates lighter components such as dust, wear particles, and spent fines from the heavier abrasive that can still be used.

Cleaning the abrasive is particularly important for a consistent blasting process. Excessive dust or fines can impair blasting performance, increase wear, and lead to increased dust generation inside the blast room.

Through intensive processing in the cascade cleaner, the VAC-7 supports more consistent quality of the recovered abrasive, thereby improving the conditions for reproducible blasting results.

Integrated cartridge filter with pulse-jet cleaning

The VAC-7 is equipped with a high-performance cartridge filter with a filter area of 7.5 m². The polyester filter medium retains fine dust particles and light contaminants from the conveyed airstream.

The filter cartridge is cleaned automatically by a pulse-jet cleaning system. Short compressed-air pulses dislodge dust adhering to the filter surface. This supports a consistent airflow and helps maintain suction performance even during extended operating periods.

Automatic cleaning reduces the need for manual maintenance. Nevertheless, the filter element must be inspected regularly and replaced as needed, depending on dust levels, operating time and filter condition.

Automatic filling of the blast pot

The cleaned abrasive is initially collected in the integrated storage hopper. This is located directly at or above the connected Contracor Z-200 blast pot.

As soon as operating conditions allow refilling, the processed abrasive is automatically transferred from the storage hopper back into the blast pot. The recovery and filling process is thus integrated into the blasting system's workflow.

Automatic refilling reduces downtime and facilitates the continuous use of reusable abrasives. At the same time, it reduces the physical effort required for manual collection and filling.

Up to 4 tonnes of recovery capacity per hour

With a recovery capacity of up to 4 tonnes per hour, the VAC-7 is suitable for professional blast rooms and industrial applications with a regular volume of abrasive.

The actual achievable throughput depends on several factors. These include, in particular, the type of abrasive, grain size, bulk density, moisture, contamination, hose length, hose routing and any differences in elevation.

For angular steel shot up to approximately 0.8 mm in size, the standard 3-metre suction hose length is optimally designed. The hose length can be adjusted depending on the abrasive used. The maximum specified length is 10 metres.

Cost-effective abrasive media recycling

Depending on the material type and application, reusable abrasive media can pass through several blasting cycles. Without a recovery system, however, usable fractions are often disposed of together with dust and contaminants.

The VAC-7 returns used abrasive media in a controlled manner, cleans it and makes the still-usable components available for the blasting process again. This can significantly reduce the need for new abrasive media.

This also reduces the manual cleaning required in the blast room, internal transport distances and the amount of material requiring disposal. Especially in regular blasting operations, this can lead to a significant improvement in cost-effectiveness.

• ✅ Lower consumption of new abrasive media
• ✅ Reuse of technically usable abrasive media
• ✅ Reduced amount of material requiring disposal
• ✅ Less manual cleaning and material handling
• ✅ Automatic refilling of the blast pot
• ✅ Reduced operational interruptions
• ✅ Improved processing through cascade cleaning

Compact solution for stationary blast rooms

The VAC-7 combines vacuum generation, material conveying, abrasive cleaning, dust filtration and a storage hopper in one compact stationary unit. This allows the system to be used in blast rooms where space is limited.

The system is suitable both for equipping new blast rooms and for retrofitting existing Contracor blasting systems. Combined with a Z-200 blast pot, it forms a coordinated system for recovering, processing and making the abrasive media available for reuse.

Floor hopper with grate

The floor hopper included in the complete set serves as the central collection point for used abrasive media. Material lying on the floor is swept or shoveled into the hopper and then automatically extracted.

The integrated grate retains larger foreign objects and protects the suction line and downstream components from coarse contaminants. This reduces the risk of blockages and damage within the system.

The floor hopper enables easy integration of recovery into the workflow of a stationary blast room without requiring a fully automatic floor conveying system.

Suitable abrasive media

The VAC-7 is designed to recover suitable, reusable abrasive media. According to the manufacturer, angular steel shot can be processed up to a medium grade, or up to G40 at approximately 0.30–0.80 mm.

Heavy or spherical abrasives, such as stainless steel shot, are not intended for this system. The suitability of an abrasive depends not only on grain size but also on bulk density, grain shape, moisture, and flow characteristics.

Damp, clumped, or heavily contaminated materials can impair suction performance and material separation. The abrasive used should therefore be dry, free-flowing, and suitable for pneumatic return conveying.

Optional hand suction pipe

For manually collecting abrasive from larger floor areas, an optional hand-guided suction pipe with support wheels and a handle is available. The suction pipe is connected to the suction line and enables targeted collection of loose material directly from the hall floor.

The support wheels make it easier to guide the suction pipe and reduce physical effort when cleaning larger work areas. The hand suction pipe is not included in the standard scope of delivery.

🔧 Applications

• Stationary sandblasting halls
• Industrial blast rooms
• Steel construction and metalworking
• Tank and plant construction
• Mechanical engineering
• Vehicle and commercial vehicle manufacturing
• Rail vehicle manufacturing
• Shipyards and maritime maintenance
• Surface preparation before coating and painting
• Rust removal and removal of old coatings
• Processing large steel structures
• Retrofitting existing Contracor Z-200 blast pots

Operating requirements

Operating the VAC-7 requires a suitable three-phase power connection with 3~ 380–420 V / 50 Hz. The automatic Pulse-Jet cleaning of the cartridge filter also requires a suitable compressed-air supply.

The system must be installed on a level, load-bearing surface in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. The system weight of approximately 440 kg must be taken into account when planning the installation location and during internal transport.

Suitable routing paths must be provided between the VAC-7, the floor hopper, and the blast pot. In addition, sufficient space should be available for operation, filter inspection, maintenance, and material emptying.

Maintenance and care

Regular maintenance is essential for consistently high recovery and cleaning performance. The filter cartridge, Pulse-Jet system, suction hoses, floor hopper, and cascade cleaner in particular should be inspected at defined intervals.

Wear or leaks in the suction hoses can reduce suction performance. Deposits, foreign objects or clumped abrasive can obstruct material flow and should be removed promptly.

• Check the filter cartridge regularly
• Check the function of the pulse-jet cleaning system
• Check the cascade cleaner for deposits and wear
• Inspect the suction hoses for leaks and material wear
• Clean the floor hopper and grating regularly
• Remove foreign objects from the material paths
• Check the storage hopper and automatic filling system
• Have the electrical components inspected by qualified personnel

VAC-5 or VAC-7?

The VAC-5 is an economical solution for conventional recovery in stationary blast rooms. The VAC-7 is recommended when higher suction performance and more intensive processing of the recovered abrasive are required.

Why the Contracor VAC-7?

The Contracor VAC-7 is a powerful complete solution for operators of stationary blast rooms who want to automatically collect reusable abrasive, clean it intensively and return it to the blasting process.

The 7.5 kW side-channel blower, the highly efficient cascade cleaner, the integrated cartridge filter and the automatic refilling of the blast pot form a coordinated recovery system for professional use.

Especially during regular blasting operations, the VAC-7 can significantly reduce the consumption of new abrasive, the manual cleaning effort and the amount of material requiring disposal. At the same time, intensive cleaning helps ensure more consistent quality of the abrasive circulating in the system.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the function of the VAC-7?
The system collects used abrasive, separates reusable material from dust and contaminants, and automatically returns the cleaned abrasive to the connected blast pot.

What is the difference between the VAC-7 and the VAC-5?
The VAC-7 features a more powerful 7.5 kW side-channel blower and a highly efficient cascade cleaner. As a result, it offers higher suction and cleaning performance than the VAC-5.

Which blast pots is the VAC-7 suitable for?
The recovery system is designed for Contracor Z-200 series blast pots.

Is the blast pot included in the scope of delivery?
No. The Contracor Z-200 blast pot is not included in the scope of delivery and must be ordered separately.

What is the recovery capacity?
According to the manufacturer, the maximum recovery capacity is up to 4 tonnes per hour.

Why does the VAC-7 have the same specified conveying capacity as the VAC-5 despite having a more powerful motor?
The more powerful drive of the VAC-7 is intended primarily to increase suction and cleaning performance. The nominal maximum recovery capacity of both systems is specified as up to 4 tonnes per hour.

What is the maximum permitted suction hose length?
The maximum specified suction hose length is 10 metres. The standard hose length is 3 metres.

Which abrasive media can be used?
The system is designed for suitable reusable abrasive media. Angular steel grit can be processed up to G40 grade, corresponding to approximately 0.30–0.80 mm.

Can stainless steel shot be used?
No. According to the manufacturer, heavy, spherical abrasive media such as stainless steel shot is not suitable for the VAC system.

What does the cascade cleaner do?
The cascade cleaner uses a controlled airflow to separate reusable abrasive media from dust, spent fines, and lighter contaminants.

How is the dust separated?
Fine dust particles are separated in the integrated cartridge filter with a polyester filter medium.

How is the cartridge filter cleaned?
The filter cartridge is cleaned automatically by short compressed-air pulses from the pulse-jet cleaning system.

Is compressed air required for the VAC-7?
Yes. A suitable compressed-air supply is required for the filter's automatic pulse-jet cleaning.

How is the abrasive media collected?
The used abrasive media is swept or shoveled into the floor hopper, from where it is automatically extracted.

Is a manual suction tube included in the scope of delivery?
No. A manually operated suction tube with support wheels and a handle is available as an optional accessory.

Can the VAC-7 be retrofitted in an existing blast room?
Yes. The system is suitable for retrofitting stationary blast rooms, provided a suitable Contracor Z-200 blast pot and the required utility connections are available.

What electrical supply is required?
A three-phase connection with 3~ 380–420 V / 50 Hz is required.

What is the motor power?
The electric side-channel blower has a drive power of 7.5 kW.

How loud is the VAC-7?
The sound pressure level specified by the manufacturer is 72 dB(A).

How much does the VAC-7 weigh?
The specified system weight is approximately 440 kg.

Why is abrasive media recovery worthwhile?
Reusing suitable abrasive media can reduce material consumption, disposal volumes, and manual cleaning effort. At the same time, the cleaned abrasive media is available again more quickly for the next blasting operation.