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Thread: Black Box Vac Source

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Marquette, MI
    Posts
    3,388

    Default Black Box Vac Source

    Here is a project I have been working on for a while in my spare time. Now that it is up and running, I thought I would post a few pics and the specs.

    There have been dozens, if not more, versions of enclosures for aftermarket vacuum motors posted and this is not that different in construction, but control. Either 2 or 4 of these motors can be operating at a time and switchover is done using relays and a vac switch from Joe Woodworkers kit parts.

    The vac source consists of 4 Lighthouse Brand LH-7123 240V motors. These are 10.4 inHg/110 cfm units each. Combined they should pull close to 10 inHg and have close to 400 cfm. Testing has shown this to be a very powerful vac source, and holds over 9 inHg when applied to less than the full 4 zones.

    Box is made from Melamine, full dado joints using eCabs for design. Assembled using silicone for seal/adhesive and screws with finish washers.

    I used a 24V 3PDT 10A relay for each motor. A vac switch, set to approx 7 inHg, kicks in 3rd and 4th motors, should the vac fall below 7.5 inHg when cutting. There is a check valve, a' la Brady Watson between the 2 pairs of motors. Control is low voltage remote at front of table and allows full automatic, 2 only or all 4 as options.

    Here are the pics of construction. I will post installed later.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Gary Campbell
    GCnC Control
    GCnC411(at)gmail(dot)com
    Servo Controller Upgrades
    http://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1


    "We can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them"
    Albert Einstein


  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Marquette, MI
    Posts
    3,388

    Default

    The box has a number of dividers that keep the intake cooling, exhaust cooling and vacuum exhaust separated. Both exhausts are diverted thru baffles and diected to the floor. The cooling intake is on one end and filtered. This combination has proven to be much quieter than my previous setup, but not as quiet as I wished for. Perfomance is great. Its cool to watch the vac gauge go down below 8 and hear the 2nd pair kick in. Gauge climbs to over 9.

    More pics
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Gary Campbell
    GCnC Control
    GCnC411(at)gmail(dot)com
    Servo Controller Upgrades
    http://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1


    "We can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them"
    Albert Einstein


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Winter Park FL
    Posts
    180

    Default

    Gary,

    Are you going to try to make it quieter? How bad is the noise?

    Great job.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Cabinets Plus of Augusta, Hephzibah Ga 30815
    Posts
    1,504

    Default

    Could you use a sound deadening foam to help the noise levels? I recently built some displays for a music store and they had a foam contoured padding on the walls to cut down on noise transfer from room to room.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Marquette, MI
    Posts
    3,388

    Default

    Guys....
    No efforts to reduce noise will be taken on this end. Anything that would quiet it down would either add heat or reduce power. I can carry on a conversation with my son when it running. MUCH quiter than my previous system with 4 unenclosed motors. MUCH quieter than many of our other machines.

    I dont think anything that moves that much air can be quiet. The biggest gain may have been in the high pitched intake of the cooling fans, as that noise is near gone.
    Gary Campbell
    GCnC Control
    GCnC411(at)gmail(dot)com
    Servo Controller Upgrades
    http://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1


    "We can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them"
    Albert Einstein


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    iBILD Solutions - Southern NJ
    Posts
    7,986

    Default

    Bravo! Looks like you really put some thought into the design & functionality.

    -B
    High Definition 3D Laser Scanning Services - Advanced ShopBot CNC Training and Consultation - Vectric Custom Video Training IBILD.com

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Marquette, MI
    Posts
    3,388

    Default

    Brady...
    Thanks for the kudo.

    What I remembered, and sometimes forget to tell others, is to reread what you have posted. You, my friend are THE source for vac hold down information.

    The check valve and article you sent to our user group some time back was the central idea behind this. Without a simple and foolproof vac valve, it couldnt work. Until I read your write up, I never realized it could be so simple.

    Thanks again.
    Gary Campbell
    GCnC Control
    GCnC411(at)gmail(dot)com
    Servo Controller Upgrades
    http://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1


    "We can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them"
    Albert Einstein


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Marquette, MI
    Posts
    3,388

    Default

    In response to the emails for info, I think this may clear it up:
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Gary Campbell
    GCnC Control
    GCnC411(at)gmail(dot)com
    Servo Controller Upgrades
    http://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1


    "We can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them"
    Albert Einstein


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Winter Park FL
    Posts
    180

    Default

    Gary,

    Could you supply this, "The check valve and article you sent to our user group". Thanks

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Bedford Hills NY 10507
    Posts
    1,061

    Default

    Gary
    This is the best use for melamine I've seen in years!
    http://www.WoodworkingByErminio.com

    Custom Cabinetry, Furniture ,CNC Services
    Email:Wberminio@msn.com
    914-666-8746 Shop/Office

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