Mitee Bite Multi-power Vac System Installation Guide

MITEE BITE Multi-Power Vac System

Congratulations on the purchase of your new MULTI-POWER VAC system. Please become familiar with this guide prior to installation and use. Feel free to contact us @ 1-800-543-3580 with any questions you may have – our sales and technical department
will be happy to assist you and resolve any concerns to your satisfaction.

Features and Benefits

• Pallet Assy. (PN 46200) can be used with Venturi Vacuum Generator (operates on shop air regulated to 80-95 psig) or an electric Vacuum pump.
• Pallet only requires one Vacuum Generator (PN 46100) however 8 vacuum ports are provided allowing connection of multiple Vacuum Generator to a single pallet when conditions of poor workpiece (porous) sealing is encountered.
• Mitee-Bite also offer a 3/8 thick “Sacrificial Top Plate” (PN 46250) for custom vacuum applications. The plate is intended to allow tooling to cut below the mounting surface of the workpiece and protects the MULTI-POWER VAC Pallet from damage. The Customer can also machine mirror image of work-piece into top plate.

MULTI-POWER VAC SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Fig. #1 MULTI-POWER VAC SYSTEM PN 46000; (Top View) Page 2 of 10

Fig. #1a MULTI-POWER VAC PALLET PN 46200; (Top View)

Fig. #2 MULTI-POWER VAC PALLET- PN 46200; (Bottom View) Page 3 of 10

Fig. #3 VAC GENERATOR- PN 46100

Features of VACUUM PALLET Assy (PN 46200)

Versatility includes:

16″x14″ (406.4mm x 355.6mm) Textured table top precision machined for (Qty. 168) 6 mm x 0.8 threaded holes on pads 0.92″ (23.67mm) square with 1.062″ (26.97mm) spacing machined gasket sealing groves 0.142″W x 0.140″D ( 3.607mm x 3.556 mm) deep around each square.

Various provisions for mounting:

• Table is fitted with precision hardened steel 12mm bushing fitted with 12mm, Locating pins. (Item’s 4, 17) Center line of 12mm, Locating pins on bottom surface is 270.00mm +/- .01mm
• Top plate mounting has provisions for (Qty. 12) bolts/ (12) 12mm washers allowing pallets to be linked together to make large vacuum tables. ( Item #19)
• Includes 2 mounting clamps. (Item #3)
• Base of pallet includes 6 precision oversize steel washers provided for mounting on magnetic chuck. (Item #25,26)

Additionally:

• Surface of pallet is textured creating more friction = more holding force
• Qty. (4) Vacuum Ports on pallet with duel threads; top thread for brass filter, lower thread for brass plug. Pallet allows customer to hold 4 individual pieces (creating four separate vacuum chambers). If holding one small work piece customer would plug 3 ports. (Refer to Fig. #4) · Pallet has 8 location ports for vacuum source
• Equipped with built in Low vacuum indicator (Item # 15)
• 10 Fixture Clamps provided for mechanical clamping applications (PN 50206, Item #6)
• Sliding Stops (Item #2) and other hardware provided designed to aid in work-holding small parts with limited vacuum area or when holding surface is open or contoured.
• Pallet and holding hardware can serve as a base for CMM’s inspection.

Features of VACUUM GENERATOR (PN 46100)

• Air Supply valve for 6mm tubing
• Creates 11-13 PSI of vacuum force while consuming only .5 CFM and pulling 1 CFM with regulator set between 70 ­ 100 psi of shop air
• Replaceable brass filter
• Magnetic rubber coated foot pads for easy mounting
• Quick configuration using push to connect fittings and poly tubing
• Complete kit consisting of Air regulator and fittings (Items #10,11, 13), 6mm Push to Connect Fittings (Item #8), Tubing (Item #7), In-Line Filter (Item #12), And Brass Filters (Item #23) provided allows easy connection of Vacuum Generator to anything requiring a source of vacuum.

MOUNTING THE BASE UNIT

Preferred method for mounting base unit:
Mount pallet using 2 mounting clamps (Item # 3)).
The pallet is now ready for connection of air supply.

Optional Mounting methods

• Place Pallet on Magnetic Chuck
• Use Locating Pins & Liners to precisely locate pallet onto sub-plate and secure with Mounting Clamps (Item #3 )
• For larger work-holding solutions, link pallets together connecting with provided washers (Item #19)

CONNECTION OF AIR SUPPLY

The in-line filter is provided to remove contaminants in the air supply. Adjust the regulator (Item#10) (8095 psig best). Common air connection fitting are provided (Item #13)

REVIEW CHECKLIST PRIOR TO USE

• Base unit is securely mounted to machine table.
• Check all air lines for leaks.
• Allowable Air supply range is 70-100 psi.
• Low Vacuum Indicator is operating properly.

MAINTENANCE

Very little maintenance is necessary to keep your system up and running. Using general housekeeping practices will ensure your system operates properly for years to come.

• Brass filters (Item # 23)may require periodic cleaning to prevent clogging and obstructing airflow. Remove filters and soak in cleaning solvent, applying compressed air from backside of filter. This should be done in a safe manner to avoid injury to self or other personnel. Re-install filters. The brass filters are located in the vacuum ports on the top of the MULTI-POWER VAC pallet (Item #1 ) and in the exhaust of the VENTURI VACUUM GENERATOR, (Item #9 )
  
• VENTURI VACUUM GENERATOR, (Item #9) May become obstructed with foreign objects or gummed up from coolant if system has not been used for a while. Simply removed supply valve and check/ remove any small objects that may be interfering with the air supply. While the supply valve is removed, use a .035 (.9mm) pin to clear any build-up that may have accumulated in the Venturi Generator (see Fig # 3).
• The inline Air Filter should be visually inspected for cleaning or replacement
• A visual inspection of all O-rings and gasket material should be done on a regular basis.
• The Low Vacuum Indicator (Item # 15) may also require periodic cleaning. Remove, clean with light oil and reinstall.

TROUBLESHOOTING

This is a very simple operating system. Any problems can be easily rectified with the information contained in this manual or by contacting us directly.

• Check air pressure
• Ensure gasket material is protruding above fixture plate and continuous with no gaps.
• Clean brass filters
• Check inlet of Venturi Generator for obstructions
• Through hole for vacuum pallets should be a minimum of ¼ inch diameter and chamfered.
• Check air lines for leaks
• Check work piece for flatness.
• Check exhausts air for restricted flow.

Most importantly, CHECK GASKET, to ensure full seating in slots (no gap below gasket @ intersecting points of slots. Avoid having gasket joint terminate at corner or intersection of slots.
Wet gasket with water/coolant, especially with black material when installing, allow gasket to fully seat in bottom of slot. The seal is the most important item when vacuum work holding.

CUSTOM VACUUM PALLETS

When using the blank pallet to design your custom pallets, we recommend a quick look at some examples sent in by customers like yourself. Feel free to contact us or submit photos of your application – we appreciate seeing what our customers can do with our products.

Machining dimension for the white gasket material: 0.142-0.150″ (3.607-3.810mm)wide x 0.140″ (3.556mm) deep, bottom of slot to be square.

One through hole is required for each vacuum chamber, minimum diameter being ¼ inch. We suggest an aggressive countersink, chamfer or slot on the bottom side of the hole in the custom pallet and the top relief should be in a slot, channel or pocket . Avoid placement of through hole directly over 0.92″ (23.67mm) square rest pads on pallet base unit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The Venturi Generator produces approximately 11-13 pounds of vacuum per square inch. The exhaust of the Venturi Generator is factory fitted with one brass filter (Item #23) for noise suppression. An additional Brass Filter is provided and may be installed for further noise reduction, Approximately ½ psi to 1 psi reduction in vacuum results from the installation of an extra filter.
• Increasing friction between your work-piece and the vacuum pallet will produce additional holding force.
• Using pins with sharp points protruding slightly above the surface will aid in difficult applications.

The vacuum being produced over the entire table area is approximately 2200 lbs. hold force. Actual hold down force is dependent on gasket sealing area and vacuum level. Using Items 2, 6, 18, and 22 or other stops that would have to bend or snap to break the vacuum seal allow for aggressive machining with the vacuum pallet.

Using provided M6 LHCS and a pre-op on work-piece (bore two holes for screw heads) allows aggressive machine cuts. Vacuum pulls part down while screw heads prevent lateral and rotational forces.

Please call 1-800-543-3580 with any questions regarding use, installation, or configuration.

340 Route 16B • P.O. Box 430
Center Ossipee, NH 03814 U.S.A.
Phone: (603) 539-4538
Fax: (603) 539-2183
Toll Free: 1-800-543-3580
E-mail: [email protected]