Haas VF2ss + VF4ss Vacuum Chuck Accessory

[KLP1190]

Good day, brothers in manufacturing. 

I have been tasked with finding a vacuum chuck for the shop that I work at. I know what they are and how they work. I know the pros and cons of using a vacuum system. I do not know anything about brands or where to buy equipment like this. I see a lot of machine manufacturers include a vacuum chuck as an upgrade to their existing machines.  That is really all I have been able to find. 

I really like the system that Datron sells for their mills. In my research the parts that I saw them run on their mill were the closest to the parts we are looking for the vacuum system for. 

We have a series of parts, about 9 or 10 different styles, with quantities of 500 - 800 parts. We are getting our stock in at 0.125" and the finished thickness is 0.118. We have to mill both sides, the outside contour, drill and tap, and maintain parallelism within .002". We are getting killed in fixturing and change over times. 

Any advice you guys got would be greatly appreciated. I am at a bit of a loss here. I am used to making large aerospace components, these little plate jobs are an enigma to me. 

Thanks, guys!

[Guest]

IMO, get the stock in at 3mm so not face cutting is necessary....

Something like this will serve

https://www.miteebite.com/products/multi-power-vac/

[KLP1190]

Believe you me, I have tried and tried to get someone to hear reason and logic. No one here will listen to me. It's foolish to order stock .007" over the size we need, but that's the way this place does business apparently. 

[KLP1190]

Thanks for the link btw

[Guest]

6 minutes ago, KLP1190 said:

Believe you me, I have tried and tried to get someone to hear reason and logic. No one here will listen to me. It's foolish to order stock .007" over the size we need, but that's the way this place does business apparently. 

THey are making their own problems then...that's too bad

[KLP1190]

I'm working on making some changes here but it is looking like it is going to be a long process.

[Ewood42]

If you want any pointers on making your own custom vacuum plates, PM. I've made several sets for oddball jobs in the past. How big are the parts?

[KLP1190]

the stock comes in roughly 6x6x1/8. I will definitely have to do that if I can actually get these potatoes to buy a vacuum chuck. They have me doing all the leg work then maybe if the ROI is right they are going to buy one. 

[Pilot Plant Supervisor]

https://www.vaculok.com/