mbarinholtz@chdc.org
02-07-2003, 06:29 PM
Well, this forum is really great. We've been recieve a lot of helpful suggestions from ShopBotters recel=ntly, and I was looking for some feedback from individuals who have a 6.2 HP FPZ Vacuum system on their 'bot.
Our 'bot is being used in a basic training environment for homeless youth, who are making a transition into housing and employment here in Washington D.C. About two weeks after Brian and Zach came down and put together our machine and vacuum system, we had the blower motor overheat and scream to a halt. ShopBot was very kind in replacing the blower (not an inexpensive gesture, I add...no questions asked. They responded to my frantic phone call with a calm,cool "let's get this taken care of" and got me in touch with the Dave at FPZ in Grafton, WI. That was a Friday. On Monday morning, there was our new motor.) and later on, an in-line filter for the relief valve.
We have been using the 'bot more and more, and have had to make some changes to the arrangement we originally recieved. The gauge has given up, (and we have a replacement on the way this weekend), and are moving it to just before the inlet on the blower. The relief valve needed to be relocated to tie into a "T" just between the gauge and the in-line filter cannister. With those changes, we hope to get a true reading on the actual load on the system. We have a few questions.
- Heating. I remember well that Brian said, after setting up the system, "That baby is going to heat up - don't freak out." Dave from FPZ said the housing is rated to reach a maximum of 120 degrees F. over ambient temperature. We are wondering if anyone has experienced any unusual sounds or smells that actually have ended up to be usual. It's hard to describe what's happening, but I am afraid to burn up another motor. We get a hot wiring smell after a few minutes of running the vacuum. I have run it for up to an hour at a time with no problems, but the smell is surely there. Is this just the smell of air being pulled though MDF and passing through a really hot vacuum pump? or is this a much more obvious "you better turn the darn thing off, buddy" issue?
We had the Z take a couple of nosedives (it lost steps, we are sure - no operator error around here...) with a big (1.25") ball nose bit in it, and one actually pierced the spoiler down to the plenum, about 6" away from the inlet of our zone A (near our 0,0 corner) Luckily, the in-line filter caught any **** that may have found it's way downwind. Our solution, until we reskin the 'bot, is to keep that hole covered (duh) when the vacuum is on. Is this causing limited pressure? Is there a way to check up the line if something is clogging a channel in the plenum? Would some little crappy chunks caught in one zone really cause -3 inches of pressure lost?
The relief valve is supposed to open when pressures reach about -9 inches of mercury. I have never been able to get our system to draw more than - 5.5 to 6, but that's not with the entire spoiler board covered. I am more interested in having a full draw with three zones closed off, and one zone really cranking. What's happening?
We made a big investment in this system, and would like some advice from anyone who cares to share their knowledge with us. Especially about smells and sounds.
Thanks!
Matt Barinholtz, Covenant House Washington, D.C.
P.S. - The kids really thought Brian and Zach were cool. That's saying a lot, coming from the youth that we work with. They;re great teachers, have fun doing their work, and can successfully navigate the highways of NE and SE D.C. without fear. It was a pleasure to spend time with them!
I've got some photos of them in the shop teaching our guys and gals how to cut a sign using Part wizard, and it was as if they were witnessing dogs playing poker - they were truly mesmerized and interested. We need to get more Shop Bots into the inner cities!
Our 'bot is being used in a basic training environment for homeless youth, who are making a transition into housing and employment here in Washington D.C. About two weeks after Brian and Zach came down and put together our machine and vacuum system, we had the blower motor overheat and scream to a halt. ShopBot was very kind in replacing the blower (not an inexpensive gesture, I add...no questions asked. They responded to my frantic phone call with a calm,cool "let's get this taken care of" and got me in touch with the Dave at FPZ in Grafton, WI. That was a Friday. On Monday morning, there was our new motor.) and later on, an in-line filter for the relief valve.
We have been using the 'bot more and more, and have had to make some changes to the arrangement we originally recieved. The gauge has given up, (and we have a replacement on the way this weekend), and are moving it to just before the inlet on the blower. The relief valve needed to be relocated to tie into a "T" just between the gauge and the in-line filter cannister. With those changes, we hope to get a true reading on the actual load on the system. We have a few questions.
- Heating. I remember well that Brian said, after setting up the system, "That baby is going to heat up - don't freak out." Dave from FPZ said the housing is rated to reach a maximum of 120 degrees F. over ambient temperature. We are wondering if anyone has experienced any unusual sounds or smells that actually have ended up to be usual. It's hard to describe what's happening, but I am afraid to burn up another motor. We get a hot wiring smell after a few minutes of running the vacuum. I have run it for up to an hour at a time with no problems, but the smell is surely there. Is this just the smell of air being pulled though MDF and passing through a really hot vacuum pump? or is this a much more obvious "you better turn the darn thing off, buddy" issue?
We had the Z take a couple of nosedives (it lost steps, we are sure - no operator error around here...) with a big (1.25") ball nose bit in it, and one actually pierced the spoiler down to the plenum, about 6" away from the inlet of our zone A (near our 0,0 corner) Luckily, the in-line filter caught any **** that may have found it's way downwind. Our solution, until we reskin the 'bot, is to keep that hole covered (duh) when the vacuum is on. Is this causing limited pressure? Is there a way to check up the line if something is clogging a channel in the plenum? Would some little crappy chunks caught in one zone really cause -3 inches of pressure lost?
The relief valve is supposed to open when pressures reach about -9 inches of mercury. I have never been able to get our system to draw more than - 5.5 to 6, but that's not with the entire spoiler board covered. I am more interested in having a full draw with three zones closed off, and one zone really cranking. What's happening?
We made a big investment in this system, and would like some advice from anyone who cares to share their knowledge with us. Especially about smells and sounds.
Thanks!
Matt Barinholtz, Covenant House Washington, D.C.
P.S. - The kids really thought Brian and Zach were cool. That's saying a lot, coming from the youth that we work with. They;re great teachers, have fun doing their work, and can successfully navigate the highways of NE and SE D.C. without fear. It was a pleasure to spend time with them!
I've got some photos of them in the shop teaching our guys and gals how to cut a sign using Part wizard, and it was as if they were witnessing dogs playing poker - they were truly mesmerized and interested. We need to get more Shop Bots into the inner cities!