Small Vacuum Table Tips for Success

Vacuum tables aid many applications by holding various products and substrates firmly in place during additional processes. It can be tricky to hold small parts securely during cutting or milling applications. It is important to know how to use your vacuum table properly for quality processes as well as safety to the operator. Preventing your small parts from slipping and holding cut pieces firmly in place so they don’t fly around and cause injury is important during cutting processes.

Here are a few tips and things to consider for improved product and process quality as well as operator safety when using small vacuum tables.

1)  Use a sacrificial layer.
Utilizing a sacrificial layer for your small vacuum table will help to protect your tabletop surface during cutting or milling applications. Sacrificial layers should have matching hole patterns or be permeable to allow air to flow through the layer.  It is important to replace damaged sacrificial layers to maintain consistent flatness.

2)  Consider the vacuum hole patterns.
Vacuum tables typically have similar hole patterns although smaller tables may require a denser hole patterns to hold smaller parts in place. More vacuum holes to create a denser hole pattern will hold small parts for securely in place and will prevent pieces from flying off the table and causing injury.

3)  Use tools designed for small vacuum tables.
It is important to use tools designed for small vacuum tables during your cutting or milling processes as smaller cuts are required. Talk with an experienced vacuum table manufacturer for more tips on the right tools and strategies to preserve your workpiece.

4)  Determine your vacuum table strategy.
Plan out your strategy ahead of time and determine the amount of hold down force required for your milling or cutting process.  Determining your strategy including proper process set up parameters will allow you to achieve maximum productivity while preventing damage product and injury.
For more tips on how to properly use a vacuum table for maximum benefit contact Systematic Automation, a leading manufacturer of quality vacuum table systems and precision screen printing machines.

Systematic Automation designs engineers and manufacturers vacuum tables of all shapes and sizes with high-quality components and consistent flatness. You can find our vacuum tables in a myriad of applications and industries worldwide. Contact us to learn more about our wide selection and tips for using any size of vacuum table.