Hovering sheet goods cutting platform in use

[sgryd]

Today I had the first use of my "hovering" saw platform. It was really great to have all the sheet free from stuff so I could move the guide rail without bumping into the saw or hose. In my really small shop I have to come up with all kinds of weird solutions. Some works, some don't.

Thought I'd post here to let you know that this works =)

[attachthumb=#]

 

[Jalvis]

Thats really unique.  Looks like its on a large pivoting arm?

I video review in use would be informative!....hint...hint...

Thanks

 

[Kevin D.]

Cool!

Could you put up a shot/pic of the face of where the hose goes into the main unit at the end of the swing arm?

 

[sgryd]

There are some images here: Boom arm deluxe

 

[semenza]

That's really cool! Something about the look makes me think it should have  computer controlled cutting  8)

Seth

 

[ccarrolladams]

Well, Seth, we do have such things as computer controlled cutting.

It was the invention of the CNC pressure beam saw that allows mass production of product based upon inexpensive chip board. With appropriate blades those same beam saws allow custom shops to be competitive in pricing.

Many sliding table saws control speed, height and tilt of the blade, as well as position of the rip fence and miter fence flag stop by CNC.

Personally the idea of a hovering platform to hold a couple of TS55 over my cutting table appeals to me. My concern is the down-wash from the rotor blades with the platform is hovering.

 

[GhostFist]

Thats using your noodle!! Awesome project! Would love to see some work flow video

 

[John Stevens]

Great idea and beautiful workmanship.  My hat's off to you!

Regards,

John

 

[JerrySats]

Thats using your noodle!! Awesome project! Would love to see some work flow video

I couldn't agree more and would also like to see a video of this in action .

 

[GhostFist]

Where exactly is the vacuum mounted now? is it still hanging on the arm? How are bag changes?

 

[sgryd]

The vacuum is in the attic. Behind the boom arm in the picture you can see the face of a triangular cabinet. That's where the dust ends up via a Dust Deputy cyclone before the air travels up to the attic. The lid on the air tight cabinet gave some unused space, so I routed and glued steel band and made magnetic holders so I could store my MFS guide rails there. Every blank spot has to be used.

The head of the boom arm has two switches. One controls the light and the other controls the remote on/off for my CTL26 at the attic. I.e. when hand sanding or cleaning I can turn the vacuum on without putting a load on it with tools. When I connect the 3.5m 36mm hose I can clean every corner of the shop. That's really handy as well. I don't have to drag a vacuum around the floor just to clean some.

 

[joiner1970]

When you said hovering I thought the sheets would be hovering. That gave me an idea , good if you had a table just like one of those air hockey tables so you could flick a switch and the sheets float. You move them to cutting position then switch off or even better switch to reverse and the sheet sticks ready for cutting.

 

[ccarrolladams]

When you said hovering I thought the sheets would be hovering. That gave me an idea , good if you had a table just like one of those air hockey tables so you could flick a switch and the sheets float. You move them to cutting position then switch off or even better switch to reverse and the sheet sticks ready for cutting.

Jointer, you are describing the air bearing feature of all the better pressure beam saws. On these the best face is down, because the saw moves under the table.

While cutting and loading sheets onto the saw the air bearing is off, but before you manually move the sheet to starting position, the air pressure is turned on, lifting the sheet. From then on the machine grips and accurately positions the sheet or stack of sheets. Once the sheet is correctly positioned and the operator pushes the 'Cut' button, the air bearing is off, lowering the sheet onto the table as the upper pressure beams come down to serve as splinter guards. The lower pair of beams are always in place, also serving as splinter guards. The gap of the beams is about 0.1mm on either side of the blade.

Think of the arrangement as four Festool guide rails working as a team, so there is no tear-out. The pressure on the sheet material is one of many factors under the CNC control. When cutting more delicate material, the pressure is reduced. Similarly the pressure of the compressed air used by the air bearings is CNC set depending on the weight of the sheet or stack of sheets being cut.

 

[joiner1970]

Yeah I thought it might exist already