A vacuum table uses suction to hold a workpiece in place during machining or cutting. It can be purchased or made by attaching a vacuum unit to a worktop. The force of the vacuum required depends on the material being worked on. A vacuum pump creates a vacuum inside the box, pulling air down through tiny holes to hold the piece in place. A smaller workpiece requires more force to hold it down, and permeable materials may not be able to grip tightly. Although more expensive, a vacuum table is faster and ensures a flat material.
A vacuum table is a table that uses vacuum to hold a workpiece in place during machining. It can also be used to hold fabric, paper or plastic in place as it is being cut or printed. The force of the vacuum required depends on the type, size and thickness of the material being worked on. Vacuum tables can be purchased prefabricated or made by mounting a vacuum unit to a regular worktop.
Essentially, a vacuum table is a box with a vacuum pump attached to it. The top of the box has hundreds of tiny holes. When turned on, the vacuum pump creates a vacuum inside the box. This pulls air down through the holes to fill the void. The suction created is strong enough to hold the piece in place even when cutting or shaping tools push against it.
To get a picture of how a vacuum table works, imagine an air hockey table. The surface of the table has hundreds of tiny holes through which a pump pushes air. The air creates a cushion for the disc, causing it to float. This allows the puck to move with much less resistance than it could by itself on the table.
Suppose, instead of pushing air out of the pump, the table draws air in through the holes; this would create a vacuum. Instead of floating, the puck would be thrown flat against the table. If the force of the vacuum were strong enough, it would be difficult or impossible to move the puck without first turning off the vacuum.
When selecting a pump for a vacuum table, operators should keep in mind that the smaller the workpiece, the more force is required to hold it down. This is because, if a piece is small, the void has less area to pull against. If a material is permeable, such as a sheer fabric, air will simply flow through it and the vacuum may not be able to grip the material tightly enough to stop it from moving.
Although a vacuum table is much more expensive than a simple table and clamp system, many crafters find it well worth the expense. Since there are no clamps to attach and detach every time the piece is moved, the job goes much faster. Plus, there’s nothing to get in the way of cutting or carving equipment like clamps might. The material held by a vacuum table system is always flat. There is no risk of a crease or buckle ruining the cut.
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