Vacuum chamber

Projects
1

Hello All,

I’ve heard talk of there being a vacuum chamber in the space. I’m planning to get some resin in my future projects, so a vacuum chamber would be invaluable.

Where does the vacuum chamber live? Is there any documentation on it? I can’t find anything in the discourse.#

Thanks!

–James.

2

Its under the screen printing bench, but needs an RA before it can be used - If you’re up to doing that, have a look at it, and have a chat with the @directors

3

@joeatkin2 and I had a look at this unit when it arrived.
Its a Hugely powerful professional unit that is capable of getting down to almost 0 atmospheres. We had a glass of water in the chamber and when it got to lowest vacuum the water boiled which is good for a small vacuum unit.

Couple of points of note:-

  • I believe its a loaned item (so extra care needed) - can anyone confirm this ?
  • its an oil bath type compressor so we need to make sure there is oil in there at all times
  • it sprays a mist of oil out of the exhaust when running so needs something made to catch this mist or direct it away from the unit / floor / your leg etc
  • the seal around the top rim and the perspex cap are critical to safe operation. any damage and the unit needs to be removed from use

Courty

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4
5

Right, well, given i only know the basics about vacuum chambers, I won’t likely be diving in any time soon to to a risk assessment on this.

Thank you for outlining this unit, I appreciate the insight (aka: warning that i’m not suited to be fussing with this at the moment :wink: ).

–James.

6

Hi James,

The above was for info… please don’t be put off by it. We are all about experimentation at SLMS, I’m sure one of the more experienced members would be able to help you with the unit.

Courty

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7

So… do we still have a vacuum chamber?

8

Believe so - Last I saw it was under the screen printing bench…

Courty

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9

Will it do vacuum molding?

10

interesting, I feel an urge to de-gas some epoxy soooon. thanks for response.

11

do you mean vacuum forming?:

12

Probably. Heating certain plastics to the point where they can be vacuum formed into/onto a mold

13

No then!

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14

Brian @platinumnqueen22 spoke about making one

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15

This is the last mention of the vacuum chamber I can find.
I’ve seen it on Monday under mini cnc and I wonder if I could use it and anyone knows if it’s alive and/or what kind of maintenance is needed, like does vacuum pump has oil?
I was thinking to soak an old transformer in shellac.

16

Heya!

Works just fine here is the tool page:

https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/vacuum-former-mayku-formbox/19497

Cheers.
Andy

17

Just kidding - vacuum chamber or vacuum former? - maybe I am getting them confused!! They are both under the small CNC…

Would be great if someone could make a tool page for the vacuum chamber… last time we fired it up it worked - but you need to press on the plexi-lid to get it to seal… give it a go.

18

Vacuum chamber. I’ll give it a go somewhere next week and see what’ll happen. Thank you!

19

Cool - yeah try it out! And if you can even make a start on a Tool page for it that would be awesome!

20

Tested it, used it, doesn’t lose pressure, has some oil left in the motor, rather dirty, works fine, holds pressure well. Updated tool page: Vacuum Pump and Chamber

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