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Vacuum Lift information for 5X12 CNC

11/25/19       
Matt Meadows

We are about to purchase a 5X12 CNC and are pretty sure we'll be better served using a vacuum lift (the sort with the boom arm) for loading the CNC rather than an auto-loader, and certainly better than hand-loading unassisted.

The auto-loader is going to make this machine MUCH longer than we'd prefer. We'd prefer side loading because of space restrictions. We simply don't have room to accommodate that extra length but would have plenty of room to set bunks of material pre-staged next to the CNC.

Maybe you all can help us decide what vac lift model/brand, or what features, we should be looking at. Our CNC dealer will have suggestions obviously but we can buy anything we want.

Normally our batch size is 25 sheets or less, usually 12-15 sheets of 3/4" and then maybe 4 or 5 sheets of 1/4". Frequently batch size is only 4-8 sheets before changing over to a different material.

We only have 4 materials we might cut on a "daily" basis that are 3/4". So we are thinking of setting the bunks of these materials next to the CNC and just leave them there. No forklifting until that bunk is empty, and the new one is slid in place.

How are you guys setting up for this? What brand/features for a vac lift can you suggest? How do they handle porous stuff like Red Oak plywood?

We cut mostly domestic plywood and melamine. 4X8, 4X10, and now possibly 5X8 and 5X12.

11/25/19       #2: Vacuum Lift information for 5X12 CN ...
Lee S Member

Hi Matt,
We have been using a Tawi boom type vacuum for 17 years to load the sheet goods and have had no problems loading and positioning sheet goods ranging in size from 4x8 to 5x10. We have only occasionally wanted to be able to rotate sheets from vertical on an upright panel cart to horizontal on the CNC bed. The sheet good quantity you describe is very similar to what we might use for a typical single cabinet run for a house.
I have found it to be very versatile for the variety of sheets we run and the ability to change over to different sheet-good job to job. We run a 5x16 machine. I would look at your ability to quickly change vaccuum zones on your machine maximize hold down on different size sheets.

11/25/19       #3: Vacuum Lift information for 5X12 CN ...
Matt Meadows

Lee, thank you for responding so fast, that's what we are needing to hear.

Thanks also for the tip on the CNC vacuum zone. The one we are looking at has 3 automatic zones that can be selected on the controller screen, and you can also get creative with the gasketing. I'm hoping we can get it even further simpler such that the proper vacuum zone is built into each nested sheet so it doesn't become a thing that can be toggled wrong.

11/25/19       #4: Vacuum Lift information for 5X12 CN ...
Bill Member

Our Schmaltz lift system in on a Gorbel track not a boom. It covers a very large area. Something like what I linked to below.

Depending on how your building is constructed you can suspend it from the building.

It gives a lot of flexibility. Ours serves more than one CNC and a saw.

A vacuum lift in general gives great flexibility.

In your situation pulling the forklift to the front of the machine and sliding sheets onto the bed will work. If you know the days cuts you could pre-load the forklift with every sheet in order. If you need the forklift during the day add in a scissors lift to put the material on.

Good luck!

Rail Track lift system

11/26/19       #5: Vacuum Lift information for 5X12 CN ...
Matt Meadows

We'll probably look into a boom style, I don't think we'll need to spend the cash to get the extra reach of the larger rail & track style.

Unless there's more reason to go with a rail & track that is more than just longer reach. I doubt we'll ever move anything heavier than a single 5X12 sheet at a time with it.

11/26/19       #6: Vacuum Lift information for 5X12 CN ...
Lee S Member

Matt, my two cents on this is if I had to do it again I would go with the track system. The boom wants to follow its arc when loading sheets and I have had many times I wish the boom had more reach. Our setup is the control then two bunks of material. The odd sheet cart can be a stretch to reach, they tend to have to get parked in the walkway. You want the system to provide momentum to keep materials flowing rather than relying on the CNC operators drive and ambition.

11/26/19       #7: Vacuum Lift information for 5X12 CN ...
Bill Member

Matt I don't know your situation and layout. You may move your operation soon or never. The track system helps you not outgrow the system. If your needs change and you use more types of material it can reach them all. Ours is huge and services multiple machines and species.

Not saying it is for you, just helping put it in perspective.

Truthfully from what you describe I think I would pull the forklift up to the machine and drag sheets off. At least in the beginning, see what is what. You could always add the vacc lift if needed.

11/26/19       #8: Vacuum Lift information for 5X12 CN ...
Matt Meadows

Great help, guys, thanks!

Lee, you may be right about the track system. We're laying out a scale model of the shop so we'll see just how effective/not a boom will be.

Bill, we currently have an airbag table (a glorified scissor lift) that we can grandfather into the system at first. We can't use the forklift as a sheet goods holder since we get 3-4 trucks a day that need that forklift.

We do a lot of material changeover so I'm hoping that we can eliminate the forklift use at every single changeover.

I'm going to look closer at the track systems.

You guys have been really helpful, thanks!

12/14/19       #9: Vacuum Lift information for 5X12 CN ...
Jason Withrow

Website: http://upfrontduck.com

I had a Schmalz lift on a Gorbel 16 ft jib boom. It was 300 lb capacity at that reach as we were cutting some material that was that heavy. It worked very well for us. The one thing I wanted to mention that was a bit of a surprise/pain was the jib had to be mounted to a 4ft cube of concrete, so of course the hole in the floor had to be dug and prepped with the correct rebar, and J bolts, etc to handle the engineers requirements. It was freestanding, not attached at the top. Not a big deal of you are aware of it. If you can't do that to your floor, the track may be the only option.


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