A
close-up view of a vacuum cell on a Mini Mach constructed using the U-Mach-Kit
vacuum work bed. The black closed cell neoprene rubber Top Gasket which
forms the vacuum cell walls can be seen clearly contrasting with the tan
clear sealed 25mm MDF platen board that forms the bed.
In the centre of the vacuum cell embedded into the platen board is a pressure-activated
ball valve that controls airflow into the cell. When a workpiece is placed
over the cell and pressed down the underside of the workpiece presses
down of the valve's spring-loaded ball bearing. This breaks the air-tight
seal allowing a vacuum to occur, clamping the workplace to the vacuum bed
whilst and keeping the ball valve open.
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