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- Feb 8, 2014
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My son is working on a project and decided that the easiest way to hold the part is with a vacuum chuck, due to the part final size there is no other really practical way to hold it. Because of some other considerations, glue or double sided tape was not practical to use in this case.
But of course not to be content with just any old device, this one has to have a universal base with interchangeable and sacrificial top plates, and can be held in the vice or clamped to the table. So.......
The base was made from 2'' thick 6061 about 9'' x 5.5'', left over from a job. The top plate is 1/2'' 6061, also leftovers, machined to fit in the base pocket. There is an O-ring to seal the vacuum between the two pieces.
Once installed, the top plate is faced off, then the vacuum channel pattern is milled in as needed for the part. Since the vacuum channels are very shallow and the back of the plate is supported 100% by the base, these top plates can be faced off and used for the next project if needed. Or if you have a recurring job, then all you have to do is select the correct premade plate and you're off and running.
The chuck in the mill with the plastic blank in place.
Another top plate blank.
And the fixture for making the top plates. The fixture screws down to the tooling plate that is pretty much permanently bolted to the machine table. This allows very quick setups because all of the fixturing is designed to fit the tooling plate bolt patterns and locating pins. Once set up, it only takes a few minutes to crank out the top plate. I think he made a half dozen or so.
A full 3D view in the A360 online browser based viewer https://a360.co/2GkeXuA
The top plate
The assembly
Then powering up the system: The Harbor Freight 3 CFM vacuum pump. (Shown with its optional auxiliary cooling system)
You'll note the professional vacuum line routing We didn't want to cut the tubing. 1/4 inch nylon tubing.
and another shot of the vacuum line routing
Over all the system works well, and seems to do a fine job of holding the plastic parts in place. Haven't had one slip yet. If needed, stop pins or a pocket could be added to the top plate. Total out of pocket was the cost of the HF pump with a 20% off coupon, had everything else on the shelf, leftovers from other projects. We do have a 3 phase, 3 HP vacuum pump on the shelf, but it would have been more trouble than it's worth to set up for this project, not to mention way overkill.
But of course not to be content with just any old device, this one has to have a universal base with interchangeable and sacrificial top plates, and can be held in the vice or clamped to the table. So.......
The base was made from 2'' thick 6061 about 9'' x 5.5'', left over from a job. The top plate is 1/2'' 6061, also leftovers, machined to fit in the base pocket. There is an O-ring to seal the vacuum between the two pieces.
Once installed, the top plate is faced off, then the vacuum channel pattern is milled in as needed for the part. Since the vacuum channels are very shallow and the back of the plate is supported 100% by the base, these top plates can be faced off and used for the next project if needed. Or if you have a recurring job, then all you have to do is select the correct premade plate and you're off and running.
The chuck in the mill with the plastic blank in place.
Another top plate blank.
And the fixture for making the top plates. The fixture screws down to the tooling plate that is pretty much permanently bolted to the machine table. This allows very quick setups because all of the fixturing is designed to fit the tooling plate bolt patterns and locating pins. Once set up, it only takes a few minutes to crank out the top plate. I think he made a half dozen or so.
A full 3D view in the A360 online browser based viewer https://a360.co/2GkeXuA
The top plate
The assembly
Then powering up the system: The Harbor Freight 3 CFM vacuum pump. (Shown with its optional auxiliary cooling system)
3 CFM Two Stage Vacuum Pump
Amazing deals on this 3Cfm 2-Stage Vacuum Pump at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
You'll note the professional vacuum line routing We didn't want to cut the tubing. 1/4 inch nylon tubing.
and another shot of the vacuum line routing
Over all the system works well, and seems to do a fine job of holding the plastic parts in place. Haven't had one slip yet. If needed, stop pins or a pocket could be added to the top plate. Total out of pocket was the cost of the HF pump with a 20% off coupon, had everything else on the shelf, leftovers from other projects. We do have a 3 phase, 3 HP vacuum pump on the shelf, but it would have been more trouble than it's worth to set up for this project, not to mention way overkill.
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