DIY Vacuum Fixtures

[GEOFFREY]

Hi Guys
Found some kits
http://www.toolpost.co.uk/pages/Wood...rkholding.html
Regards
Mike

Someone (I think it may have been Eddy) posted some similar kits that Trend had on clearance. I bought two kits, can't remember the price, but less than a tenner a kit. I have not yet tried to make them up as I wanted them for my other router re-build which is still a project - not yet started!!! G.

[Boyan Silyavski]

Here using the left side bar menu, you could see all types of vacuum systems used on CNC.

I like the VAC-MAT and tried to purchase only the mats which are sacrificial but still no response. This is one very clever product but its price is prohibitive. Though i still hope that the mats could be at reasonable price.



I especially like the FLIP-POD Vacuum System and parts for it could be made at home or purchased. Especially nice for a big machine.



The Metapor Chucks are also favorite of mine. I will make something similar for starters, cause that's what i need, 2 of them. Of course i don't have sintered breathing aluminum so i will use some breathing mat in the middle or nothing at all. cause as i said they will be job specific.



Simple Vac clamps also will do the job




Here they have some materials, i will buy my self the Vill MIll mat for small details , if i don't find something similar where i live.

[Boyan Silyavski]

Had to split the post, too many images

The universal table i am going to make will be grid and perforated at the same time.Similar to what they sell here. By the way the best ones i have seen for the buck. So if you are lazy...
They seem quite a deal. What i like is the small air holes 0.6-0.3mm so it will still suck if holes are open. They can be surfaved /3mm/ and if you dig by accident, repaired.
But if i make something similar will add grid and make it compatible with the VAC-MAT mats.

It will be 2 or 3 parts, look down at the photo , so can be bolted below, at the same time clamped from the sides and at the same time made like the last photo bellow with multiple connectors at 4 sides like these so i can chain them together of needed.



The ones with multiple connectors that can be stuck together, thats nice:




So are we ready to make some vacuum tables or what

[Boyan Silyavski]

PS. I will use the compressor directly. It will suck from where the filter goes. Will disconnect the normal pressure regulator. Still not sure if i will need a vacuum deposit or not. Will try both ways. I read on the Zone, so many people are using setup like that and report no compressor heating even after 8h constantly working. You know its easier to suck than to compress

[EddyCurrent]

Also there were these threads about the subject;
http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/6710-...a-vacuum-table
http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/7824-...-cutouts-edges

[Boyan Silyavski]

Ok, just tried running the compressor for half an hour and it did not heat at all. Unscrewed the outlet quick connector and screwed a connector where the compressor sucks air.Then taped the inlet . 30 min was ok. Just was going to report here and it turned off. Waited 5 min tuned it on and it run again. It was almost cold to the touch but obviously something heated. But before i rip it apart and search for a termistor or something , i would like to see if it will work for the fixture or not.

Yeah, i read all the threads here and at the zone. However my conclusion is that i have better have fixture for each job or for the universal table, to have a mat for each job. That covers all unused holes and produces enough friction at the borders and may be inside the job too if needed. Some plain cheap mat will be perfect. Later will go on shopping.

[mitchejc]

Silyavski, its great news to know that using the compressor inlet works well. Would it not make sense to use an old 9kg or 12kg LPG gas cylinder as a reservoir + a simple one way valve then you don't have to run the compressor all the time?