Table Cleanup

[davidp]

We have a 10kw side channel blower performing our vacuum and a 3kw cyclone dust extractor trying to remove the dust. It mostly works extremely well especially with solid timber parts. However we have been cutting lots of MDF under contract to an exhibition company.

The problem we have is that a lot of the dust is held in the kerf by the vacuum pump and not collected by the dust extractor. We seem to spend more time cleanning the table after cutting a sheet than the actual cutting of the parts.

I have tried simply blowing the table down with an air gun but we end up with a layer of dust throughout the factory and this seems to defeat the purpose of a dust collector even though we have air filters. Vacuuming the table with a Festo 55litre vacuum takes about 5minutes and we fill around two vac bags a day using this method. It seems that using the dust extractor in some way would be the most ecconomical.

I would therefore appreciate any suggestions as to how others cope with this problem. Geralds seperate room would be the ideal however we are unable to accomodate that at the moment.

As an aside to Mike John, all out for 155, 420 needed in the second innings just as well you have 2 1/2 days :-)

Kind regards
David

[gerald_d]

Our dust room got its first complaint this week - our neigbour wants to know why his X-type Jaguar has a thin layer of dust on it after parking nearby. (He is a baker - not worried about the dust in his product, only on his car!) We are thinking of putting filter mesh before the fan, but we will need a huge mesh area. Alternatively, the fan must exhaust to the other side of the building with some canvas/PVC ducting.

David, isn't your bleeder board too porous - ie. isn't the airflow through the bleeder too high?

[mikejohn]

David
Part of the overall plan to lull your mob into a state of false confidence.50-0 as I write.


............Mike

[gerald_d]

Condolences to the Ozzies on the rugby!

[benchmark]

David
I have as similar problem, when I remove the cut parts I slide out the bleeder board with them and then slide a new bleeder board with the new sheet.
I can then clear off the parts and dust while the next sheet is being cut.

It didnt cure dust problem but it saved some time.


Paul

[davidp]

Paul,

Thank you for the suggestion. I will have to give that a try.

I have been toying with the idea of a hood at the end of the table that is raised or lowered as needed and the dust is swept or blown into it.


Gerald, We have been leaving our spoilboard in place. It begins life as 12mm MDF we remove around 1mm from each side before using it. Over time from resurfacing it, it ends up around 4 to 6 mm thick and we then replace it. We originally bought the Shopbot to cut solid timber pieces for specialised boxes, however our neighbouring factory produces stands for trade shows and we are now cutting more and more parts for them in MDF and some days it is 30 sheets. I hate those days. but the money is good.

I want a to know what you did to the Boks. They were not the same team that were beaten two weeks ago in Sydney. de Villiers had a blinder.

Mike you might yet be saved by the rain. :-) (Must spend the time one day and learn how to do those smiley faces)

Thank you for all your assistance.

[mikejohn]

David
To avoid upsetting anyones sensibilities, I don't think cricket should be discussed on a Sunday.
It's OK to discuss rugby though

.............Mike

[davidp]

Ok Mike, sorry I touched a nerve. :-).

Gerald is probably still hungover from last nights celebrations and hasn't caught up with this conversation yet.


But to be serious for one small moment I have yet to find a simple and efficient method of dealing with dust left on the table after cutting a sheet of MDF whilst using a vacuum hold down. Even "big iron" machines seem to have these same difficulties.

Pauls method is a good one in terms of mchining time but it is not necessarily an easy one, and Geralds enclosed room is also ecellent but not every one has the luxury of the space and some one still has to remove the dust when it finally settles.

In a post in the Archives some one but I forget who I am sorry, has a wall that is in effect a huge filter. This will remove the dust from the air but it does not go to the problem of removing it from the table.

I have usually found that this forum has answers to most of lifes conundrums and from experience I know that there are several lurkers that have machines not made in Durham NC who find answers on this forum as well. So I hope my niggling of a hapless pom (an Australians favourite pastime after beer and birds) has not deterred anyone from posting on this thread.

(Sorry Mike, but I really have to look up how to post those smileys in case some one take me seriously)

Regards

David

[jimmya]

It's easy I get my wife to clean up. And on the way down she brings me a beer.

Jimmy

[mikejohn]

David
type a colon: followed immediately (no space) with a right hand bracket )

or for a sad face a left hand bracket

or type a backwards slash\ then (nospace)clipart then (nospace) a curly bracket{smile}

Needless to sat, it was Gerald who taught me!
There was a song in the musical "Half a sixpence" about rain falling any day but Sunday. Luckily the weather in England is ignoring this !!
I also have your dust problem. I also use Pauls method. I would also like a big room and a maid to clean,although if Jimmy's wife brings beer, maybe that would be even better

..........................Mike

[hwd_woodworking]

David
We too have the same problem with cutting Very thick (2 3/4") mdf panels. We have been toying with an idea of modifing shopbot "new" dust skirt. We have the PRT alpha and frankly can't stand the dust skirt. One idea we had was to redirect the suction in a series of holes closer to the bit by adding a plenum. Another idea was to hook up small air nossels and direct a fine stream of air at the cutting point. Then a final idea was to make the dust skirt so it rides up and down and always remains in contact with the sheet allowing the bit to go up and down seperatly.
These are the things we are playing with. If anyone has any other suggestions I would love to hear them
NAte

[mossie_jim]

Hi guys,

A bit late, but I just joined the forum. Have you tried a jet of air on the spot to kick up the particles where the Vacuum could be more effective? Maybe some plastic flex line?

[joel_schuman]

Like everyone cutting mostly MDF and plywood, I wrestle with this problem. I've improved my situation with the following measures.

First, I use larger bits (3/8 or 1/2 instead of 1/4), especially when using downspiral or compression, as the dust does not pack in the kerf as tightly, so the dust vacuum picks up more dust at the source. Second, I modified a stiff pushbroom so that the head is 90 deg to the bristles, instead of the usual 45 deg. It sweeps enough of the dust off the table that a final quick blow with compressed air doesn't kick up an unacceptable amount of dust.

[joel_schuman]

...and I have a few custom files that run the head with dust skirt back and forth over the table to vacuum it. That's handy if I have a big mess but don't need to reload the table right away.

[mziegler]

"big iron" machine method of loading and cleaning off table. Very simple, but slick.

http://www.thermwood.com/twood_site/pages_2_8_05/upholstery_frames/upholstery_frames_main.htm

Video on that page showing the loading and unloading of the table.

That method should able to work on a bleeder board.
Mark