Techno Vacuum Table Help

[Dave's_Not_Here]

That's awesome! I would kill for that! Unfortunately I don't have 3 phase power in my house for the vacume.

I don't have 3 phase power either. That's why I installed the 10HP VFD to convert the 1 phase input to 3 phase output. I got a really nice deal on the VFD from an EBay Seller.

I did have to add a 70 AMP Breaker to my box and run the appropriate cable to the blower. I had an electrician friend from church help me do the work.

So far, I am into the project less than $4,000

(1) 10 HP VFD
(1) 10 HP Fuji Regenerative Blower
(1) 10 Extrusion Extensions and Table End Caps
(70) AMP Circuit
(30') Appropriate gauge wire and plug ends
(10) Ball Valves
(10) PVC Threaded Couplings
(10') 2" PVC Pipe
(25') 2" Dust Collector Hose
(12) Zip Ties (cheaper than hose clamps and easily removed and replaced)

I estimate that I have saved at least $8,000-$12,000 buying and fabricating parts for this 10 Zone Vacuum Manifold setup, compared to a full 5 Zone setup from the manufacturer.

It has taken about a year to get this far, as I shopped EBay and had client projects to do and equipment failures to repair. So, depending on your cash flow, a highly flexible 10 Zone Vacuum Table can be had for 25% of the manufacturers price.

So, don't let 1 phase power stop you.

D

[Pplug]

I have a 200 amp service in my main box. What else(if anything) runs off the 70 amp panel? Does the blower use all 70 amps when you start it up? If it does I bet the lights go dim for a sec!

I'm asking this because I would like to add a sub panel to my box to run my shop, and use higher powered stuff than my 2.2kw spindle and 220v delta unisaw.

[Dave's_Not_Here]

My 70 AMP Circuit only serves the Fuji Blower, which runs on less that 30 AMPS after startup. I have not run it yet, as I have to call the VFD Supplier in Texas to help walk me through the Inverter setup.

Once I complete the Inverter setup, I will test fire the blower. I know I can control the blower ramp-up through the Inverter, so I am hoping that will eliminate any surge that would dim the lights.

I am reasonably sure that the blower, without any ramp-up, will dim the lights, similar to when my wife runs her hair dryer. As long as I don't dim the neighborhoods lights, I can live with that.

If it becomes an issue, I might have to install a small sub-panel just for the CNC Equipment... especially since I will be adding an HSD 5hp ATC Spindle this Summer.

Dave

[Dave's_Not_Here]

... and it's alive!

Sounds like a jet engine ramping up to take-off!

The main reason for the sound, as best I can tell, is because I reversed one of the leads on the blower and it rotates the opposite of what it should. As such, the blower is pulling air through the silencer and out the intake, ( the small black PVC and filter in the photos.)

The black PVC will be hooked to a mini cyclone chip extractor and then routed to the manifolds main ball valve on the end of the manifold. The volume of air screaming out of the 2" PVC is very loud... Once I reverse the rotation, the silencer is supposed to keep the db's around 70-75, much quieter than it is right now.

Glad to report, that with a 10 second ramp-up, there is no dimming of the lights whatsoever. The 70AMP breaker is working just fine for start-up.

Other than the minor wire reversal, all I have to do now is remove my $50 vacuum table and install the plenum strips, mill the gasket channels, drill the vacuum holes and call it done.

SD

[Dave's_Not_Here]

... leads on the VFD and the blower now turns in the correct direction. Sound was cut by at least 40%. Once I connect the final plenum plumbing, I expect another significant drop in the db's.

Also, the VFD allows me to set the readout to AMPS drawn during operation and the 10hp Fuji draws less than 13 AMPS after start-up.

Quite pleased.

SD

[mikenicee]

Dave,
Is it ready for sale yet?
Looking forward to purchasing it.

Michael

[joejared]

So far, I am into the project less than $4,000

In my own project, I started with a $1325.00 vacuum pump and a 6 port vacuum chuck that supports a 24" x 18" region, that I charged my customers $150.00 for. The chuck never changed, but ultimately, I ended up making a 6 port shop vac attachment for the standard 2" 5.5 HP shop vac, which actually worked much better.

[Dave's_Not_Here]

In my own project, I started with a $1325.00 vacuum pump and a 6 port vacuum chuck that supports a 24" x 18" region, that I charged my customers $150.00 for. The chuck never changed, but ultimately, I ended up making a 6 port shop vac attachment for the standard 2" 5.5 HP shop vac, which actually worked much better.

My initial setup cost me about $75. I made a 48" x 96" torsion box from 2x4's and 3/4" plywood top and bottom. Machined a lot of 1/2" holes in the top and connected a 2" PVC fitting into one end. I hooked my shop vac to the 2" PVC and had a powerful vacuum table. Only drawback was too many holes, so vacuum bleed was an issue from time to time.

I wanted a full scale vacuum table setup that had maximum flexibility. This launched the quest to make a factory knock-off. I have run the 10hp blower on the original $75 vacuum table and cut full sheets of cabinet doors and drawer fronts, but had to tape off some of the toolpaths to minimize vacuum bleed from having waaaay too many holes in the table top.

If I were to do the original $75 vacuum table again, I would reduce the hole count by 50% and cut the diameter down to .25" or .375". I would still get great vacuum and not have so many holes exposed on through cuts, thus reducing or eliminating vacuum bleed.

Dave

[joejared]

If I were to do the original $75 vacuum table again, I would reduce the hole count by 50% and cut the diameter down to .25" or .375". I would still get great vacuum and not have so many holes exposed on through cuts, thus reducing or eliminating vacuum bleed.

Dave

My own vacuum chuck uses #36 (0.089") holes and worked well for 480 holes. It sounds like we've explored similar methods.

[Dave's_Not_Here]

My own vacuum chuck uses #36 (0.089") holes and worked well for 480 holes. It sounds like we've explored similar methods.

yes, I believe we have...

I would agree with more holes but smaller diameter. I could see a bunch of .125" holes on a 1" grid spacing on the $75 vacuum table.

Another reason for going with the Mfg. knock-off was to allow me to control a lot of zones with ball valves, a limited amount of shape-specific gasketing and a hand-full of plugs. That way I can shut off all but one or two of the 10 zones with the ball valves, and apply vacuum to a small irregular shaped piece with a few feet of gasket and 6-8 hole-plugs. Closing the main ball-valve allows me to replace parts and re-open the main ball-valve and run the file again.

SD