I already posted a question about this but I think it went to the wrong area. Appologies for the repeat.

I am starting to use a precix 8400,(4X8). I have precious little info in terms of owner's manuals etcetera. What I don't understand is the vaccuum table principles. Can somepne explain it to me. What should I use as a sacrificial substrate? (mdf?) What thickness? Should I bore 1/16th inch holes everywhere? Should My vaccuum moters get so hot? Should I connect the vaccuum table outlets to my dust collector? Should it pull vaccuum through a piece of 3/4 mdf?

any opinions would be appreciated.


Joe

Well Joe you must be new to CNC.
Vacuum table is very useful and simple.
My machine has a 15HP regen. blower that pulls 14" at 330CFM.
This will suck through 3/4" light weight MDF with no problem.
My table is setup with 4 zones. That vacuum chamber is 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood glued together. I cut the 4 zones, with a hole in the middle, with a round nose bit. I cut a dado for a 1/2" wide 1/8" thick gasket around the table and between the zones. The vacuum chamber was sealed all around and bottom. I surfaced both sides of the MDF. Throw it on the vacuum chamber and you are ready to go. I use a vacuum gauge and monitor the pressure.