DIY Automatic Blast gates

[bleeth]

This thread was recently started on Woodweb:

http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/forums/shopbuilt.pl?read=693913

The same technique can be used for vacuum zone controls by adapting the Aqua knife valves as well.
The author seems to have gone through quite a bit of experimentation to get the design to work well.

[Gary Campbell]

And... to Dave's second point:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1#p/u/19/iXJhTz-Jc7c

[benchmark]

Here is an earlier thread with my two-way extractor switcher

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6450

[kevin]

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LRMSET220.html

Its cool the automatic gate but for multi machine setup ?

[bleeth]

Make sure you get the right stroke size cylinder for your application. At this time, for standard 4" gates there are some cheap deals on ebay.

[Gary Campbell]

Kevin...
The link that you show is the PSI DC mounted switch. It will turn DC on when gate is opened. They will work on multiple gates at once. DC goes off when last gate is closed. Gate operation is manual.

[kevin]

Gary

The head ache I have is running around making shure all the gates are closed then turning on the vacum then walking back to the machine

I lose a lot of time

[Gary Campbell]

Kevin...
I dont remember the brand, and I am sure there is more than one, but there is a system(s) that use a sensor on the power wire to the tool to both activate the dust collector motor AND open its gate. The DC remains on a preset time after the tool is turned off. Not cheap, but may save money in the long run. I have seen them with both air and LV electric actuators on the gates.

[kevin]

This thread kind of give me a kick in the ass .ITS NOt THAT EXPENSIVE TO DO SOMETHING TO SAVE WALKING

Gary

That sounds cool just turn on the machine.The problem we have is that say for a cut then 4 cuts etc we don.t turn on the vacum .I feel myself chocking some days

Thanks Dave for posting

[bleeth]

And I have the opposite issue. The guys will turn on the dc for a couple cuts and then leave it on! I've walked out there on break time and the thing is blasting away!