Using The Vacuum Table - Vision VR48 4 Series User Manual

5.7

Using the Vacuum Table

If the VR48 is equipped with a T-slot table, material can be mounted the same as it would with other
Vision systems. Clamps, fixtures, multi-mat, or tape can be used to hold materials to the table.
If the VR48 is equipped with a Vacuum table:
a) Place a spoil board (sacrificial material) on top of the Vacuum table.
b) Place your material on top of the spoil board.
NOTE: ALWAYS USE A SPOIL BOARD WITH THE VACUUM TABLE! CUTTING THRU MATERIAL
MOUNTED DIRECTLY ON TO THE VACUUM TABLE CAN CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE
TABLE.
Spoil board (Sacrificial material):
Fiberboard is commonly used for spoil board because of its porosity and ability to allow air to flow thru
it. The vacuum will pull air thru the fiberboard and hold material in place. It is available in different
thicknesses; such as 5/8", 1/2", 3/8", and 1/4".
Various densities of fiberboard provide different levels of vacuum.
a) MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) Most common, good air flow.
b) LDF (Low Density Fiberboard) - Higher airflow than MDF.
c) ULMDF (Ultra Lite MDF) - Higher airflow than LDF.
When working with a spoil board, it is best to fly-cut both sides. This removes the surface layer which
can contain adhesives from manufacturing that may restrict air flow. It also will create a work surface
that is truly flat in relation to the spindle. Thicker boards provide less hold down, but they can be fly-cut
more than one time and be reused.
a) Make sure you use the vacuum to hold the spoil board to the table.
b) Purchase a fly cutting tool and fly-cut the entire area of both sides of the board.
NOTE: It is recommended to seal the edges of the spoil board with tape, or paint, to reduce the amount
of vacuum lost along these edges.
Vacuum Table Operation
The vacuum table can be used to hold down most materials. The vacuum table is broken into 4 main
zones. Each zone has two vacuum ports. Strips of rubber molding can be placed into the channels in
the table to seal the boundaries of each section. Each zone has its own shut-off valve. For best results,
only open the valves of the zones needed to hold down the material being used. Close the valves for the
unused zones of the table.
If the material does not cover an entire zone, place other flat materials over the remaining area(s) to
maximize vacuum, or use rubber strips to concentrate the vacuum to a specific location (see figure on
section 4.7). Areas left uncovered will reduce the amount of vacuum holding the material in place. Use
caution when cutting out small parts. They may move when cutting is complete. Alternate holding
methods or techniques may be required when cutting out small parts.
© 2015 Vision Engraving and Routing Systems
Operation 101