HuguesP and mactec54, thanks for your encouragements.
HuguesP and mactec54, thanks for your encouragements.
Now, the machine needs to be leveled,
not only for actual cutting but also for
the cutting coolant system to work.
Poor a bit of colored water on the bed.
Also a good test for any leakage:
Attachment 414108
You want the water to ever so slightly
and evenly to collect along the line of
the drain slots:
The machine weighs about 330 pounds.
Attachment 414114
It is a bit tough to turn the 1" bolts of the
feet with that weight on them. A car
jack makes it easy to fine tune the level
of the machine without hurting my back:
Looking forward to the first project!!
Retired Master Electrician, HVAC/R Commercial. FLA Saturn 2 4x4 CNC Router Mach4 Kimber 1911 45ACP
Hah, wmgeorge, me too, believe me.
Still some ways to go though......
I will need all the expertise I can get
once I get to the electrical part.
Cutting coolant pump in action.
It's got way more flow than I was thinking.
Anybody has an idea for a simple flow restrictor
for 3/8 OD tubing?
Maybe need to put some flow restrictor in line:
https://youtu.be/ZA0YPjmymPo
And here are the spouts discharging.
I need to design better spouts though,
splattering all over the tray. Needs short
pieces of tubing instead of a slot:
https://youtu.be/gHQY4D2CxuU
The cutting coolant system works better
than I expected but needs a bit of fine
tuning.
Anybody has an idea for a simple flow
restrictor for 3/8 OD tubing?
Do these revisions ever end?
Move on to the next component.
THE VACUUM SYSTEM:
The table is made up of 1" HDPE strips:
Attachment 414166
The aluminum sheet bed has corresponding
transfer holes for the vacuum system:
Attachment 414168
The HDPE has vacuum holes on top
throughout on a 1-3/8 grid:
If your just needing to cut aluminum than a mister directly on the tool would work fine. Of you can flood coolant. In either case you need a add a small ball valve for control.
Retired Master Electrician, HVAC/R Commercial. FLA Saturn 2 4x4 CNC Router Mach4 Kimber 1911 45ACP
Close-up of the vacuum holes:
Attachment 414172
There are channels on the bottom of
those HDPE strips, carrying the
vacuum to each hole:
Attachment 414174
There is a simple manifold at the bottom
of the machine bed, connecting all
vacuum channels on top of the HDPE table:
Attachment 414178
Attachment 414180
Ready for assembly to the bottom:
Attachment 414182
Align the manifold to the bottom of
the bed and tighten it from the top:
Attachment 414184
Manifold installed to the bottom:
Attachment 414186
Choose the size of your PVC fitting to
match the size of your vacuum hose:
Vacuum system finished.
Of course, the PVC fitting can be rotated in any
direction you want. I oriented it to the front:
Attachment 414190
Attachment 414192
Thanks mactec54, I need to play around with it a bit.
Shop vac hose and adaptor hooked
up to the vacuum system:
Attachment 414270
Later, there will be a single piece
4MM or 6MM MDF cover over the
table which I don't have at this moment.
Here I am trying it out with a 13x18
plastic pouch. Remaining holes are
covered with sheets of paper:
Here is the test.
You need about 9-10 pounds of pull to make the pouch move.
The single point pull with the scale makes the pouch
crease up before letting go. A full width, even pull would
probably show somewhat higher values:
https://youtu.be/m4Y1mKaiFt0