Comparison Of Machining Performance Using Self-Developed Portable Vacuum Clamping System

Usually instruments or holding equipment such as vise are used to clamp the piece of job. Due to the low stiffness of the workpiece during machining, thin wall components have always been a challenge to clamp. This study aims to compare the effect of machining performance using self-developed portable vacuum clamping system (SPVCS). SPVCS had been developed at laboratory. This study is to evaluate the work-ability of SPVCS; two process of machining process had been tested. Experiments were conducted on acrylic to end mill machining and engrave machining with parameters selected to cut. To analyses the result for end mill process, systematic measurement of process response parameters in terms of surface roughness had been conducted. The surface roughness was analyzed to observe the influence of process parameters on the suction vacuum clamp during machining. While for engrave process Coordinate Measurement Machine (CMM) had been used to check and verify the result of thickness at 13 points that been selected. For each machining process two condition of machining condition had been observed. Firstly, continuously vacuum pressure method and secondly, remain vacuum pressure method. The result showed that vacuum clamping contributed in better surface roughness with average value of 0.585μm for continuously pressure method and 0.663μm for remain pressure method for end mill process. On the other hand, the result also showed that vacuum clamping contributed in better dimension accuracy with average value of 14μm for continuously pressure method and 8μm for maintain pressure method for engrave process. As a conclusion, it was proofed that the vacuum clamping can improve the machining performances of acrylic plate in term of surface finishing and surface roughness qualit