Fingers crossed it'll cut ally

[m.marino]

Mark,

I have an idea of setting up jigs for cutting parts and using your idea of a syringe, with a valve to create the vacuum to hold them down. Where do you get your syringes from? I would be hooking the tubing into a block of HDPE that would be shaped so that flat surface on the bottom would have vacuum draw against them to help hold the piece in place. If you could let me know where you got those from and/or what you consider good pricing I will post some pictures of the pieces once they are assembled and working.

The other idea I am looking at in a vacuum bed made out of a solid surface (Hi-MACS or Corian). Which since they are non porous could be a very useful option instead of steel or aluminium. Also a good bit easier to machine and assemble.

Michael

[blackburn mark]

PM me your address and I'll send you a slack handful (work was binning old stock so they didn’t cost me anything)

the idea works quite well for specific tasks like engraving lots of the same item but for a larger bed/pads it would take quite a bit of effort to draw out the static volume.
Remember to put the one way valves close to your syringe to get maximum draw

The way I had mine set up it worked like a by bicycle pump but in reverse

[birchy]

If it were me, I'd be looking at suction cups of some sort. Maybe some of these: 2 Acupuncture Massage Suction Cup Heat back Pain Relief | eBay but it might be difficult to remove the work piece once it was under vacuum.

The other option might be to use dent pullers like these: Mini Dent Puller Bodywork Panel Remover Removal Tool Car Van Suction Cup Glass | eBay but attach them to the machine and activate them with an air cylinder or some other mechanical actuator.

On the syringe theme, you could use air cylinders to create a vacuum. You could either use one air cylinder and actuate it manually or use 2+ with one as the actuator (i.e. you feed one with compressed air and it then pulls the other(s) to create a vacuum). Air cylinders are not cheap to buy new but can be manufactured at home if you have a decent lathe. Hydraulic cylinders are another option (minus the oil!). Or the scrap yard...

[Ross77]

Might have the wrong end of the stick as I haven't read all posts from the beginning but if you are looking for a vacuum pumps then most compressors can used the other way around, especially the diaphragm pumps.

Clarke Mini Air Compressor - Wiz - Machine Mart Bit pricey but easy to mod, just fix a tube to the intake filter plate and keep the output open. depending on the amount of vacuum you need you could use the smaller 12v tyre inflates or even a fish tank aerator.

[GEOFFREY]

Mark,

I have an idea of setting up jigs for cutting parts and using your idea of a syringe, with a valve to create the vacuum to hold them down. Where do you get your syringes from? I would be hooking the tubing into a block of HDPE that would be shaped so that flat surface on the bottom would have vacuum draw against them to help hold the piece in place. If you could let me know where you got those from and/or what you consider good pricing I will post some pictures of the pieces once they are assembled and working.

The other idea I am looking at in a vacuum bed made out of a solid surface (Hi-MACS or Corian). Which since they are non porous could be a very useful option instead of steel or aluminium. Also a good bit easier to machine and assemble.

Michael

Michael, I made a vac bed using grey pvc. Bottom sheet 20mm, top sheet 6mm with 5mm round gasket/o ring seals. this works very well. I can send you dxf (if I can find it!) of my vac table if you wish to give an idea of what I did if you wish. G.

[m.marino]

Geoffrey,

If you can find it that would be great. What kind of pump are you using to get the vacuum pressure with?

Michael

[GEOFFREY]

Michael, send me your email address and I'll send the dxf file. I use two small GAST pumps, table divided in 2 halves. G.

[Bazzer]

Geoffrey, any chance of having a look at your dxf, and what size are your gast pumps?
Many thanks in advance
Simon

[JAZZCNC]

Geoffrey, any chance of having a look at your dxf, and what size are your gast pumps?
Many thanks in advance
Simon

Simon you'll have fun trying to suck sponge down. ..

Got the perfect stuff for you to make Vac bed with. It's a man made resin board that machines great is super flat and hard has nails. It's Called Trespa Athlon look it up.
Got some that's 20mm and some that's around 12-15mm but would need to check that.?

Let me know if you want some and size and I'll chop you piece and take to work for next time your over our way.

[Bazzer]

Simon you'll have fun trying to suck sponge down. ..

My favourite hobby sucking sponge !!!

Would love FREE trespa, you can take the boy out of Yorkshire, but you can't take the Yorkshire out of the boy!