VAC-SYS (vacuum clamping system) question

[afish]

This is my go to valve for clamping.  I have used others but for more specific purposes.  Like on the material lifter.  This one is a simple on/off.  There are others and it gets a little confusing but this one works good.  My first one I bought was a 3 way but the problem is you need the other ports to release the excess vacuum so the part will release instantly.  The first one didnt have the extra ports to release the vacuum so when I turned it off the part would stay stuck for another minute or two until enough vacuum would naturally leak out.  Either way the one in the photo is durable, and works well.  As you can see I have bought a few of them... They are relatively small and easy to mount.  I have had good luck with that brand "Tailonz" off Amazon and typically buy all my tube/fittings/pneumatic cylinders and valves from them.  They sell large muilti packs of fittings that work well and usually have a good assortment of T's WYE's etc. all in one package.

 

[DynaGlide]

Any feedback on this comment posted earlier would be appreciated.

If you have the SE 1 and SE 2, or any pair of clamping heads along with two foot valves . . . you can connect the two foot valves together using the second port on each foot valve with a switch valve in that connection. This allows independent control of each head when the valve is closed and simultaneous control of both heads with either foot valve when the switch is open.

How have you connected your VAC SYS units?

That was your comment correct?

I plan on running both heads to one foot valve and locating the shut off for the second head within arms reach instead of near the foot valve.

Both heads will be adapted to quick connect fittings so I can move them without re running the hoses. If I don't need the second head I will use it's shut off valve and remove it leaving the hoses behind.

My setup is semi permanent as I've linked earlier in this and other threads so it may be different than others.

 

[Bob D.]

In this YT video Izzy shows how he makes his vacuum clamped router templates. Very quick to attach to your rough cut workpiece, no tape or glue and provides a safe way to hold the work while routing.

I believe this would work with the VAC-SYS but I don't have one to test.

 

[DynaGlide]

So here is the vacuum clamping in its simplest form. This pod, a pump, a $16 dollar valve and some tube and fittings is all thats really needed.  It can plug into the MFT anywhere and the push to connect fitting fits into a 3rd dog hole.  As I mentioned I had made one that tilted and swiveled but for what I do I never used all that.  Typically I just need to hold a panel flat and securely to run the conturo or trimmer.  Quickly and efficient clamping is what I needed.  when edge banding or trimming two clamps is typically needed and that gets a little monotonous every time.  I do need to make a narrow one but this handles most panels but some drawer parts need a narrower unit.  Those plastic dogs work good with the pneumatic clamps or bench cookies too. I typically use bench cookies with the dogs for sanding or polishing.  the pods are easy to make and if you need to hold a panel vertically it wouldn't be to hard to fashion a way to attach them to the side of a bench.  If you need the infinite adjustability of the vac-sys then cool but I would suspect most would be happy with just the two positions.

[member=73094]afish[/member] I'm assuming you're CNCing these? What all is involved? I don't have a CNC but this is one use that might make me reconsider getting a small one.

 

[afish]

I am using a cnc but a cnc is not required.  all you really need is some air tight material. Some type of plastic works well I use Starboard since I have some left overs. but you can even use plywood as a last resort IF you seal it (epoxy or laminate works good) wood glue will work too in a pinch but plastic is guaranteed airtight. However the plastic can make sticking material more difficult.  With a cnc you can route the groves in to hold the epdm cord so no glue or adhesive is needed.  But if you want to just glue or stick some thin closed cell foam sheet down you could just do some laminate covered plywood.  You can see a similar type pod on the kronos system which is just a flat plate of plastic with no cnc'ing done.  At that point you really dont need to use plastic material.  I am building a vacuum press in the near future and a wood substrate with laminate (formica) is the standard way most build them.

Im using a pretty soft cord so it fully compress when the part is sucked down so the grid just makes sure that the vacuum is fully distributed across the full face.  I am working on some mafell jigs to locate dowels and just used a laminate plywood and just lightly scratched the laminate with a V bit and didnt go all the way through.  You can buy a denser cord but I prefer the softer stuff so when I clamp a jig down I have more control in the Z axis since the parts will be flush to one another.  With Denser cord the compression could vary 

 

[festal]

[member=73094]afish[/member] thats pretty cool setup you have

 

[m-tribe]

I just came across this post via Pinterest...anway do you know this vacuum-clamping system especially designed for MFTs, i.e. can be adapted to the size of the work piece:
https://www.vac-dog.com

? Can be also used with double-sided vacuum clamping as long as the work surface is somehow smooth or in T-tracks

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