Ok i have looked around the web and havent found any good plans for Flip Pods. Has someone ever built a FLIP POD table for there router. Seen a few pics seen a few prices. But $1500 for a 100 pod carter system is way out of my price range. Would like to make a setup to do parts as small as 2"x2" with holes in it out of a 4'x8' sheet. then flip them around for a whole new setup. Have a 3hp Gast Vacuum pump 50cfm and 24" hg a 60 gal reserve tank.
Also seen a german setup that uses a membrane you put on there pods and you can cut thru it with out loss of vacuum. Also has a 1 use membane option.

VacPress would love to see your idea for a set up.

There is alot of smart people out here in cnczone land. Just need to talk to the right one.

Donny

whiteriver- i dont know what you are describing! is it a vacuum hold down table? is it a dust collector? is it a large enclosure?

i could searchthe web.. but i am lazy... describe.

... a 100 pod carter system?!

Carter Flip pod Link (http://www.carterproducts.com/product.asp?product_id=8&p_id=1&cat_id=9)
Its a vacuum hold down system to go on your table. A way to hold down and lift parts off the table to do edge routing etc without cutting into a spoil board (no spoil board). It lends its self well for small part runs with many different sizes.
Need to find some way to build something with that capalibility but not the price. Got some ideas but your the idea man. I know you can come up with a good one.


Donny

Here is another style of universal pod system.
Wood web (http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Universal_spoil_boards.html)

Sooo.. the "pods" are the circles. and you open them, and add certain height spacers?

why not route the tables pod template yourself out of a sheet of acrylic - adapt plugs for each hole. and then use PVC for the "Pods" ?

the pods could be PVC fittings, and for gaskets, use silicone caulk around the lip.. just let it dry a long time. silicone caulk needs a good 24 hours. another idea is paint-on rubber.... dip the things in it.. or, better, spray-gun it on.

super cheap, fun, easy.

does this require a mill with alot of Z? or is it that it needs a mill with a bed that can be removed?

to trick the thing out, buy a $15 solenoid valve, and add a G code to turn on and off the vacuum. if im missing something - fill me in. this seems a super easy project.

OOR, how bout a simple "modular plug system" that uses a seperate manifold with hoses for each "pod" .the pods can mount to t-slots?

Hey whiteriver, I like that idea. I think I may do the same. How simple but effective ! Good post.

Is it possible to use a large shop vac or dust collector as the
vac source ??? I already have both. It would be kind of like the old air hockey tables but in reverse. Just leave the vac on all the time. I just need to hold down some acrylic sheet. Anybody ever try this ? I guess I need to make some measurements on the old 30 gal shop vac and my 220v dual bag grizzly dust collector. There is a small animal warning in the grizzly manual.

I've seen some info about using a vacuum, maybe on the Shopbot site? You need to let some air flow through the vacuum hose, or you'll burn up the motor. Not sure if a dust collector would work.

ShopNotes Issue 40 discusses using your compressor and a Venturi valve..........

NOTE: CNCAdmin: if this is inappropriate to show this pic (copyrights) then please remove.....

Check out http://www.joewoodworker.com for plans on building a similar (imo better) system to the one in Shop Notes #40. I plan to try this system for holding work when I finish my router

what i did is ran a 1/2 router every 2 in. for lines x and y made 2 x 2 squares then in the very center drilled into the mdf then also drilled from the edge of the board to meet the center hole sealed the wood with that plastic paint and hooked up a vacum pump i have i use neoprene foam rubber and lay in the slots for what ever size i need for what i am working with and it holds really good no clamps in the way will get some pics up in the next couple days but it does work good and its a simple idea i know harbor frieght has a vacum setup that you can use your air compressor to work with also

strat,

do you have any pictures of that setup?

heres a pic of the routed neoprene vac holder