On some types of machines, inlet diameter affects motor strain as it attempts to reach equilibrium with the system.
I spoke with a fluids engineer and he told me that on our type of machine this is not the case, the vacuum finds equilibrium without causing undue strain on the motor.
We can certainly try upgrading the inlet tubing, we have the parts in the warehouse, I just did not feel it a priority based off my conversation with the engineer.
My understanding was that one of the big culprits was an accumulation of MDF dust in the filters. Although MDF is easy to machine, the dust is nasty stuff. I wonder if we should place some restrictions on using MDF on machines like the Multicam, where it generates clouds of MDF dust. Not an outright ban mind you, maybe something more along the lines of you have to clean the Felder if you do it.
I was here the other night and who ever was using the multi cam had massive amounts of MDF dustā¦ to that they plugged up the shop vac and left it full for others to cleanā¦ not very Neighborly but if the MDF machining in the Multicam contributed to Failure? Then perhaps requiring those that machine MDF on the Multicam clean the dust collector And shop vac might be in order? To be neighborlyā¦
I think you maybe onto something in forcing people to use the shop vac for dust collection when using the Multicam to cut MDF and not the Felder. The shop vac is MUCH easier to clean than the Felder, even though in this case the same knucklehead that left all of the MDF scraps for someone else to clean up also left the shop vac completely clogged with MDF dust.
Nothing DMS has used gets cleaner air than the Felder ā¦ at last when it is operating correctly. I have suggested to Ian that Woodshop explore equipping the Multicam with a cyclone type separator that has an exit blower going to the Felder. A huge amount of even the MDF dust will be taken out by the cyclone and the very small amount that doesnāt then goes to the Felder to protect the air from the fine particles that any other device will spew into the shop. There are scads of YouTube videos showing how to convert a conventional bag filter unit into the first stage of a two stage system. Itās all well within Makerās ability to build.
I was The 27th Friday night, I remember seeing dust almost to the gantryā¦ (Iāve never used the Multicamā¦ still waiting on someone to offer a classā¦ ) I didnāt know better or I would have said something to the guyā¦
Yes, so much this. They work very well.
@IanLee have we considered purchasing the one being offered for sell by @Shawn_Christian for the MultiCam? Donāt know if thatās too big for what weād be looking for.
https://talk.dallasmakerspace.org/t/fs-5hp-240v-cyclone-dust-collector/74017/3
Didnāt we used to have two of them? I thought I saw them laying down in the back before the metal shop moved in.
Weāve got 2 cyclones that were used before the felder was put in place. We just need to figure out if / how to incorporate them into the felder loop.
Iām not sure that a cyclone by itself is the best option as our biggest issue with them before the Felder was that fine dust clogged up the exhaust filters and they have to be cleaned out constantly. If we can figure out a way to exhaust the cyclone into the felder that may work bestā¦ but it may screw with the felder vacuum so not sure if itās a good idea or not.