[Bill Sines]

I need help with what type of vacuum hold down to do. I only do lines of text on pine material that is always 4" wide. I never do cut out stuff. So I want to set up fixtures on the table where the pine slides into, then just have a few holes underneath the material to hold the pine in place. Can anyone tell me what type/size vacuum pump I need?

[txcncman]

Why are you wanting to go to the expense and trouble of vacuum work holding? Mechanical work holding (clamping) should work quite well for what you described. There are many options for edge clamping you can look into.

[keebler303]

even de-sta-co clamps might work alright as long as you have a portion of the wood that isn't being engraved.

Matt

[Bill Sines]

Speed is what I'm after. I'm doing large volume manufacturing. We have a pretty slick mechanical method, but I'm looking to trim more time. I am interested though in seeing other styles/types of mechanical hold down. Can you post a link?

[txcncman]

Adjustable Hex Workstops and Edge Clamps for Workholding and Fixturing

Mitee-Bite Products Co. - Fixture Clamps

[Bill Sines]

Thanks a lot for the links. Does anyone out there have ideas on vacuum hold down?

[txcncman]

Make yourself a vacuum fixture using pourable polyurethane rubber over a plywood plenum. Drill holes at appropriate locations into the plenum. This makes like a huge suction cup you can mount at any location on the table. Then attach it to an appropriate vacuum system and you are ready to go.