Vacuum clamping system

[Christophe Mineau]

Hi, here is my new vacuum clamping system,
I designed an electronic vacuum control, arduino based, in order to maintain the vacuum level, I integrated all the parts in a wooden transport box, together with the pump itself.
I explained everything in this article on my website, all the details are there, including the code, and an example of application.
I also explain how to make the vacuum bag and the connector for the bag.
Please check it out.

Here are the main parts :
The Box setup


The pump I am using:


The control system:
A - Negative pressure sensor -100Kpa < 0Kpa: 0.5V - 4.5V, model XGZP6847A100KPGN
B - Pneumatic solenoid valve - 220V solenoid - normally closed
C - Main ON/OFF switch
D - Arduino Nano Board
E - push button: regulation start/stop.
F - Led: regulation activated
G - 220V power supply
H - Pump power supply - 220V
I - Relay module: controls the pump and the solenoid valve in parallel.
J - Converter 220V AC - 5V DC
K - “Electronics” box generated with Boxes.py, see below
L - Negative pressure gauge -1 bar (-100Kpa) < 0 bar
M - Relief valve, allows the circuit to be brought back to atmospheric pressure



The controls, integrated in a small box in the box :
When the switch is turned ON, the pump runs continuously. When the REGUL button is pressed, the pupmp stops, the solenoid valve is closed and the vacuum is maintained. If ever there are small leaks and the pressure climbs up, the pump reactivates and restores the wanted level of vacuum.


Some views of my nice (yes I like it ) poplar transport case:
It's an integrated hinge all wooden case. It's quite unusual and works very well.




The homemade connector to the bag:


The thing in action:



For more details, please see the article (link given above)

[Altair]

Thanks Christophe Mineau! We've added your Vacuum Clamping System to our Workholding category,
as well as to your builder page: Christophe Mineau's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Vacuum Clamping System by Christophe Mineau

tags: clamp, vacuum

[tonyfoale]

Christophe,

Your work is of a high standard as usual. I sometimes use vacumn bagging when moulding carbon fibre composite. With hand layup it is usual to have too much resin in the layup and vacumn bagging can squeeze this out. The pressure requirements are lower than you would need for veneering and for simple shapes I use a shopvac to provide the "vacumn". I find that once I suck it out I can leave it and remove the shopvac. As long as the pressure is applied up to the time that the resin starts to cure then slow leaks are not important.

Click to see full size.

The first stage just after the layup is to fit a perforated plastic sheet on the non-mould side. This allows the excess resin to ooze through into an absorbent layer (shown above, and the plastic stops the absorbent material from sticking to the work. I cover that layer with a sheet of non-perforated plastic sheet and then some soft plastic foam to even out the pressure on the work.



This shows the final bagging, after being evacuated. This a simple near flat item for the bottom of a petrol tank and this lends itself to using a vacumn bag sold for compressing and storing clothes. They work very well for suitably shaped and sized items.



The mould and the rough side of the tank bottom, there are a few creases but that is unimportant because it is not seen..

[Tonyg]

Hi Christophe, great work as always. Really enjoyed the hinge.

[Christophe Mineau]

Thanks Tony for sharing your experience, that's very informative.
Yes I also find that these storage bags are a treat for such projects, their seal is very good. In the house, they can hold the vacuum for monthes, see years without any leak.
I think the micro-leaks I have may come from the connections, the hose connectors or the solenoid valve, but it's not dramatic.

Interesting this white layer you add to receive the resin squeeze out. It looks like geotextile as well ?

Thanks for the comment Tony

[DIYer]

Thanks tonyfoale! We've added your Vacuum Forming Method to our Miscellaneous category,
as well as to your builder page: tonyfoale's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Vacuum Forming Method by tonyfoale

tags: vacuum forming

[Jon]

Congratulations Christophe Mineau - your Vacuum Clamping System is the Homemade Tool of the Week!

Very thorough build and documentation, complete with a beautiful transport box.

Some more good builds from this week:

String Trimmer Clutch by Frank S
Vacuum Forming Method by tonyfoale
Swivel Vise Modification by rgsparber
Vise Mount by Frank S
Micro Drill by My MiniCrafts
Shop Press V-die by Frank S
Lathe Spindle Locking Pin by Guy Marsden
Mower Lift Extension by Gadgeteer
Lathe Tailstock Die Holder by Cazual Haze
Non-Standard Nuts by rgsparber
Egg Incubator by Mr.DK DIY
Storage Shelving by The Hobby Machinist NZ
Lathe Compound Driver by Improvised DIY

Christophe Mineau - you'll be receiving a $100 online gift card, in your choice of Amazon, PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and gift card choice and I'll get it sent over right away.

This is your 16th Homemade Tool of the Week win. Here are all of your Homemade Tool of the Week winning tools. Congrats again

Carving Platform by Christophe Mineau

tags: table, holding, platform

Spokeshave by Christophe Mineau

tags: hand tools, spokeshave

Disc Sander by Christophe Mineau

tags: disc sander

Engraver's Bowl Vise by Christophe Mineau

tags: vise, engraver

Push Block by Christophe Mineau

tags: safety, table saw

Tailstock Depth Indicator by Christophe Mineau

tags: lathe, tailstock

Beading Tool by Christophe Mineau

tags: wood, beading

Indexing Plate and Crank by Christophe Mineau

tags: indexing unit

Digital Finger Joint Jig by Christophe Mineau

tags: jig, electronics, finger joint

Variable DC Voltage Regulator by Christophe Mineau

tags: power supply, adjustable

Router Lift by Christophe Mineau

tags: lifting, router

Marking Gauge by Christophe Mineau

tags: marking, gauge

3D Digitizing Probe by Christophe Mineau

tags: CNC, electronics

Shredder Blade Cover Socket by Christophe Mineau

tags: garden, specialty socket

Dovetail Template Set by Christophe Mineau

tags: dovetail

Vacuum Clamping System by Christophe Mineau

tags: clamp, vacuum

[Christophe Mineau]

Thanks you very well Jon and to all who have liked this work.
It was a pleasure for me to make it, and this is really encouraging.
Let's think about the next tool now ...

[tonyfoale]

Thanks Tony for sharing your experience, that's very informative.
Yes I also find that these storage bags are a treat for such projects, their seal is very good. In the house, they can hold the vacuum for monthes, see years without any leak.
I think the micro-leaks I have may come from the connections, the hose connectors or the solenoid valve, but it's not dramatic.

Interesting this white layer you add to receive the resin squeeze out. It looks like geotextile as well ?

Thanks for the comment Tony

As, like me, you are in europe I suggest that you look here https://www.easycomposites.eu/ . They have a lot of vacumn bagging supplies but perhaps the most valuable resource is their instructional videos all spoken in very clear english. I think that this would help non-native english speakers follow easily.
They are based in England but due to Brexit they opened a european branch in NL. They are easy to deal with and answer questions quickly, may be not always as fully detailed as you might like but always quickly.
Click for full size.

This is a seat in its mould ready for vacumn bagging. This is a shape that is not so suitable for using the ready made storage bags and it needs custom made bags from plain flat sheet taped at the joints.


PS. Most solenoid valves are designed to switch pressure, maybe they are not so good on vacumn, just a thought.


On another subject. In late August I plan to drive up through France with no particular destination in mind. Where are you based? I would love to drop by to have a chat and see your work, if that would not be too great an inconvenience. Send me a PM if you want to keep your location private.

[tonyfoale]

Thanks you very well Jon and to all who have liked this work.
It was a pleasure for me to make it, and this is really encouraging.
Let's think about the next tool now ...

Very well deserved.