A Closer Look at HiFlow Vacuum Technology
When nested-based manufacturing first became a widely used practice within the world of CNC, it revolutionized the panel processing industry by allowing for highly efficient production at the lowest possible cost. By taking each component of a job, sorting them by material, and then nesting them onto sheets for maximum yield, CNC operators could optimize material usage while minimizing waste.
But the ultimate key to successful nesting is being able to go from one sheet to the next with zero setup something ShopSabre achieves through a process known as flow-through fixturing. Heres a closer look at how our exclusive HiFlow vacuum technology provides operators with increased flow, precision, and hold all with zero setup.
How HiFlow Technology Works
HiFlow vacuum technology starts by removing the dense surfaces from the top and bottom of a piece of standard medium-density fiberboard (MDF), leaving a porous core. The board then moves to the CNC vacuum table as the vacuum sucks through it and holds the sheet down.
When cutting parts out, extra care should be used so as not to cut through parts too much. This can create vacuum channels where the vacuum could leak.
This is the basis behind zero-setup nested-based manufacturing.
Superiority of HiFlow from ShopSabre
The ultimate goal of HiFlow technology is to get as much vacuum as possible to the underside of the parts, and it all starts with how we at ShopSabre manufacture the CNC vacuum table itself.
The vacuum table is planned and manufactured with your CNC router, coming milled from the factory by your machine cutting head, increasing table accuracy and reducing the need for gaskets, bolts, and glue to hold the spoilboard.
This process is so accurate that we normally dont require gasketing between the spoilboard and the table, which is something the competition cannot claim.
We also developed a system within the table to provide increased exposure to the underside of the MDF, increasing vacuum flow for traditional nested-based manufacturing by almost 50%.
Vacuum Table Zones
Apart from how the table is manufactured, the most critical component of the HiFlow system is how we get the vacuum from the pump to the table.
Our CNC vacuum tables are divided into independent zones, allowing you to turn air on and off to various areas so you dont waste suction on areas not being cut on. The table is connected with oversized PVC pipes that run to large valves used to control each zone. The valves run into a frame member and become a vacuum plenum, resulting in much more consistent part holding.
From the plenum, we run a four-inch PVC pipe to the back of the machine that connects to the vacuum pump. The usage of hard pipes increases the flow of air to provide less need for maintenance and improved performance.
HiFlow vs. Pod Tables
Many CNC manufacturers aim to supply customers with a universal table (or what we call a pod table). In order to use pods, the grooves for the vacuum must be much more widely spaced, which results in reduced vacuum contact to the underside of the spoilboard.
Say, for example, you were attempting to perform nested-based manufacturing using an MDF spoilboard on a pod table. You would likely need to put a gasket around the perimeter and remove the plugs from the board, all of which would combine to create what we call the restrictor plate effect. The reality is that most people who buy these machines will never use a pod on them.
We prefer a better strategy supplying the machine with a state-of-the-art HiFlow vacuum system. We also have a pod adapter plate that works great if pods are needed.
Experience CNC the Way It Was Meant to Be with ShopSabre
You cannot cut what you cannot hold down, which is why weve developed and perfected the most advanced vacuum tabletop in the industry. We took time to engineer this system to ensure flow is as even as possible while also allowing for gasketing if preferred.
ShopSabre manufactures world-leading CNC routers and CNC plasmas to provide hobbyists and shop owners alike with unmatched precision, efficiency, and versatility. Whatever your goals may be, we are dedicated to helping you produce outstanding results at a fraction of the labor and cost.
OurIndustrial Series (IS)andPRO SeriesCNC routers provide industrial capability for a fraction of the price, while ourSideKick CNC plasmasdeliver professional quality at an entry-level cost.
Here are a few of the reasons ShopSabre is able to develop and produce such revolutionary CNC technology:
- Experienced in-house engineering talent
- The ability to totally fabricate and test designs onsite
- The ability to place the designs into production in-house
These are just a few of the advantages of being an American machine tool manufacturer. We offer commercial financing on our CNC equipment to help meet the needs of your budget.
Shop our unmatched collection of CNC routers and CNC plasmas in Minneapolis today to experience CNC the way it was meant to be.
