Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Vac table, it works!

dougrasmussen@... wrote:

> Hi Jon,
>
> Vacuum tables are neat. I've had some interesting experiences with
> mine. First time I did any serious work was to machine the perimeter
> of a customer's 1/4" aluminum plate. I set it up with a 1" raised
> seal around the edge and no support in the center...ooops!!! As soon
> as the vacuum was pulled the plate bowed down in the center and took
> a permanent deformation.
>
> What kind of pump are you using? I've gone through a couple of the
> small oil-less Gast pumps, they can't tolerate any amount of liquid
> (coolant) entering the intake. What I'd like is a pump that will
> allow use of coolant.

One obvious solution is to have a tank that allows liquid to settle to the
bottom, while the pump draws from the top. Make sure it can handle
the pressure differential, though! This should keep pretty much all
foreign stuff out of the pump.

Jon