Hey Guys-
I have a CNCRP 48x48- great machine. I am cutting small parts from 12mm foamed PVC board and 1/8" polypropylene sheets.
I am designing a vacuum hold down table using 2 Lighthouse vacuum motors. As I was beginning to design the plenum grid something came to me-
My machine sits on a 4x8 table with MDF top. Is there any reason why I can't treat the areas between the machine's 5 base extrusions as vacuum zones?
If one was to seal the tabletop and then seal the outer extrusions to the table (RTV?) and seal any air leaks on the corners it seams the framework/table would be an airtight compartment after spoilboard is attached.
The vac motors could be attached under the MDF table under 2 of the "zones".
I'd use some MDF pieces against the inner inside corner brackets that are sealed to the table. An ultralight MDF spoilboard would glue directly to these parts.
If needed a couple holes could be drilled through the inner extrusions to let vacuum pass through all 4 zones.
This should allow full vacuum to the whole table. W/O a plenum grid maybe it could hold smaller parts.
Am I nuts or could this possibly work?
THX for any input.