Black Oxide Inputs

Black Oxide provides the following setup options:

Number of Nested Parts

This setup option affects machine selection and cycle time.

This specifies the total number of parts that are in the Black Oxide bath. By default, aPriori determines this number using a formula which performs a weight limit calculation, a dimension limit calculation, and part batch size calculation, selects the smallest of those values then, if the selected value is greater than 1, uses it as the value for Number of Nested Parts; otherwise, aPriori uses 1 as the value.

In more detail, the process is as follows:

  • Weight Limit: aPriori divides the maximum weight allowable per bath of the Black Oxide machine (as defined by the Max Allowable Weight machine property) by the finished mass of the part.

  • Dimension Limit: aPriori calculates the maximum number of parts that can be fitted into the Black Oxide machine bath by comparing combinations of lengthwise, widthwise and heightwise orientations of the parts and the bath. Parts are equally spaced and separated by the distance specified by the defaultBlackOxidePartSpacing cost model variable (20mm in starting point Digital Factories). If an additional part can be fitted along a dimension of the bath without including the spacing allowance between the part and the boundaries of the machine bath, aPriori includes it to maximize space utilization.

  • aPriori calculates the size of a production batch, as specified in the Production Scenario tab of the Cost Guide.

  • aPriori selects the smallest of the above three values and, if it is greater than 1, uses it as the default for the Number of Nested Parts setting. The final number is always at least 1. If the calculated result is 0 (which can happen only if the user overrides machine feasibility checks), the Number of Nested Parts is nevertheless assumed to be 1.

Users can override the default value on a per-part basis with this setup option. The minimum value allowed is 1.

Black Oxide Solution

This setup option affects machine selection, Additional Direct Costs, and several Black Oxide setup options.

This specifies the Black Oxide solution applied to the parts. By default, aPriori selects the Black Oxide Material Type Name that has been defined as the default in the Digital Factory tool shop materials table (under Surface Treatment > Processes > Black Oxide > Tool Shops > Default) and appends the Solution Temp Type (Low, Medium, Hot) that corresponds to the material, for example ‘Ultra-Blak Rectifier (Hot Temperature)’.

Users can override the default solution by selecting an alternative from the drop-down list.

Soak Time for the Part Cleaning Stage

This setup option affects cycle time.

This specifies the total time to soak a batch of parts in cleaning agent. This is the first stage of the Black Oxide process.

By default, the Soak Time for the Part Cleaning Stage is specified by the cost model variable defaultBlackOxidePartCleanTime. This is set to 300 seconds in starting point Digital Factories.

With this setup option, users can override the default on a per-part basis

Pre Black Oxide Rinse Time

This setup option affects cycle time.

This specifies the total time to water-rinse a batch of parts before the parts are placed in the Black Oxide solution.

By default, the Pre Black Oxide Rinse Time is specified by the cost model variable defaultPreBlackOxideRinse. This is set to 180 seconds in starting point Digital Factories.

With this setup option, users can override the default on a per-part basis

Black Oxide Time

This setup option affects cycle time.

This specifies the total time to soak a batch of parts in the Black Oxide solution. By default, aPriori selects the value in the Soak Time column in the Digital Factory tool shop materials table (under Surface Treatment > Processes > Black Oxide > Tool Shops > Default) that corresponds to the Black Oxide Solution setup option being used (which will be either the default value or the user-defined override – see Black Oxide Solution).

The following soak times for each temperature type are used in starting point Digital Factories:

  • 1,800 secs (30 mins) for hot temperature Black Oxide parts

  • 1,200 secs (20 mins) for medium temperature Black Oxide parts

  • 300 secs (5 mins) for low temperature Black Oxide parts

With this setup option, users can override the default on a per-part basis.

Post Black Oxide Rinse Time

This setup option affects cycle time.

This specifies the total time to water-rinse a batch of parts after the parts have been placed in the Black Oxide solution.

By default, the Post Black Oxide Rinse Time is specified by the cost model variable defaultPostBlackOxideRinseTime. This is set to 180 seconds in starting point Digital Factories.

With this setup option, users can override the default on a per-part basis

Supplementary Finish Time

This setup option affects cycle time.

This specifies the total time to soak a batch of parts in the supplementary finish stage. This is the final stage of the process and helps to protect the Black Oxide coating for long-term use.

By default, the Supplementary Finish Time is specified by the cost model variable defaultBlackOxideSupplementaryFinishTime. This is set to 180 seconds in starting point Digital Factories.

With this setup option, users can override the default on a per-part basis.