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Swarf vacuum extractor with 3d printed parts

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Andrew Wildman:
I purchased a cheepo vacuum cleaner for cleaning machines and it lasted about 4 minutes before it became clogged and gave up so I put together a better solution.

I found a numatic 2KW vacuum cleaner on ebay and managed to pick it up for £20 (when I checked these are a £400 machine).  It produces a good suck but it is not really designed for oily swarf so I built a cyclone to put in the line prior to the vacuum cleaner.

This terrible picture shows the vacuum clear with the cyclone in line



The red bits were 3d printed to fit 38mm numatic fittings



This shows what the cyclone caught after a quick whizz around the shed as well as the construction (inc Ronseal tub - does more than it says on the tin!)



This is what made it into the Vacuum cleaner



Seems to do a good job.  The only modification I need to make is to strengthen the white tub with a reinforcing ring as when the nozzle blocks then the tub implodes due to the power of the cleaner! 

This setup in conjunction with one of those magnetic wands should keep the swarf at bay.

bertie_bassett:
Looks a nice simple solution  :thumbup:

Need to sort something like that out myself

vtsteam:
I like that!  :thumbup: :clap:

David Jupp:
A vacuum relief valve would be an alternate way to prevent tub implosion - though getting the operating pressure correct for the valve could be tricky.

SwarfnStuff:
Good job Andrew, Cyclonic separators are a really good addition to the vac line. I knocked a very rough one up a few years back and in my tiny shop find that 99% of stuff is caught in it. I empty the actual vac bag perhaps twice a year (usually after I finally vac the car cos the cyclone stays in the shed). I guess you could find a metal 20 litre paint drum or similar and avoid implosion OR as was suggested by David J a vacuum relief valve, which by the way you could fashion in the lid of the cyclone. It would simply be a bung on the inside with support and spring on the outside - fiddle with the spring tension to adjust. Sort of a reverse safety valve as used on old boilers.
John B

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