Air assist tubing management

[jeckardt]

How is everyone dealing with management of the air-assist tubing? That topic isn't really discussed in the conversion instructions. I've seen some use coiled tubing attached to the rear-right corner, but I've been unable to locate a source for that tubing. Other than that, what works? Letting the silicon tubing just flop around loose between the head and the back wall doesn't seem to me a good idea. Suggestions?

[MitchL]

I used the following tubing for my build: McMaster PN 9148T123

http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/120/135/=uu78ww

I wasn't able to fit it into the tiny E-chain that I used for the wires. For the X axis, I did run the tubing through the E-chain though.

Pictures below.

/Mitch.

Machine overview

Coiled air assist hose

[NickWL]

I use silicone rubber tubing which is very soft and flexible, it is zip-tied to the back of the mirror/lens counting plate.
Top dead centre (not a phrase you hear very often these days!) there is a bent paper-clip Sugrued (™) to the roof and this losely supports the bulk of the cable.
This has done many hours of work so far without any failures.
Nick
ps - Sugru - if you've never met it then Google for it, amazing useful sticky stuff!
pps - picture has got rotated 90°, no idea why but it always happens to me on this forum!

Air Assist.JPG (117.28 KiB) Viewed 4580 times

[jeckardt]

I use silicone rubber tubing which is very soft and flexible, it is zip-tied to the back of the mirror/lens counting plate.
Top dead centre (not a phrase you hear very often these days!) there is a bent paper-clip Sugrued (™) to the roof and this losely supports the bulk of the cable.

I see... the way you have it oriented it's going to work a bit like a cable carrier. That is, the tubing will "slide through the bend" rather than pull or stretch.

I like the tidiness of the coiled tubing, but your approach does have the advantage that it's simple, effective, and uses the tubing that I already have.

Thank you both, Nick and Mitch. It's really helpful to see how others have solved some of these problems.

Joe

[AndyKunz]

How is everyone dealing with management of the air-assist tubing? That topic isn't really discussed in the conversion instructions. I've seen some use coiled tubing attached to the rear-right corner, but I've been unable to locate a source for that tubing. Other than that, what works? Letting the silicon tubing just flop around loose between the head and the back wall doesn't seem to me a good idea. Suggestions?

Mine runs inside the cable guide along with any wires. It puts no strain on anything, and doesn't bounce around like a coiled type would do.

Picture: http://static.rcgroups.net/forums/attac ... CF0661.jpg

Video in operation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... u_NyCvqBZw

Complete build thread: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2243133

Andy

[NickWL]

While we're on the subject: what do you all use for a pump?
With my upgraded K40 I use a two-cylinder airbrush compressor, 40 litres per minute. I don't think it's enough...
Nick

[jeckardt]

I bought an "Elemental O2 commercial hydroponics pump" which is rated at 1157gph (87 lpm) off ebay. Remains to be seen if it's adequate.

[jmint0]

What size air compressor works best? I picked up an aquarium air pump but the air flow was too low for the light-object nozzle.

I'm looking to cut paper.

[AndyKunz]

I bought an "Elemental O2 commercial hydroponics pump" which is rated at 1157gph (87 lpm) off ebay. Remains to be seen if it's adequate.

I am using one with my 60W laser. It's adequate. Quite an improvement over no air!

Andy