i2R Top Mount Vacuum Clamp Table 610 x 1220mm - Complete Kit

Custom made in Australia, these Vacuum Tables are an elegant solution to the problem of workholding on a CNC. While traditional clamping methods can be used, placement needs to be carefully considered to ensure nothing falls in the cutting path and damages either the bit, spindle or clamp!

Vacuum Tables are often the best solution for FLAT SHEET WORK often being done on CNC Routers. Traditionally found on industrial full size machines, these Vacuum Tables are supplied as a complete kit, custom made in Australia for your small format CNC. A perfect match for our i2R A and B Series CNC Machines, as well as others. Note that Vacuum Tables are not designed to hold down individual small parts, but these small parts can be cut from flat sheet provided the surface area of that part remains suitably large.

Vacuum Tables generate hold-down force or pressure difference between the vacuum pressure under the part and the atmospheric pressure. The hold-down force is proportional to that pressure difference and the surface area exposed to the difference. In short, the larger the surface area of the part you are holding, the more hold down force there is.

You can lay an MDF spoilboard right on top of a vacuum table to protect your table from overcut and that sheet is porous enough to still pull a vacuum and generate hold-down force! Just as MDF can be used to spread the vacuum, be aware your part may leak vacuum if it is made of anything permeable (foam board, MDF etc) or if you introduce too many through holes into it during the machining process. Use of Vacuum tables has a learning curve.

Normally, the Vacuum Table replaces the MDF spoil board that comes with the machine. In that configuration, no travel is lost, nor clearance under the bridge. You have 150mm of travel in 'Z' and a little more than that in clearance. The Vacuum Table is 32mm deep, with a 4mm MDF spoilboard.