Has anyone found a good way to set up pneumatic locating pins for processing full 4x8 sheets on an Avid CNC?
I run a cabinet shop and process a lot of full 4x8 sheets. Right now I’m using dowel pins in holes drilled into the spoilboard for locating the sheets.
I’d like to switch to something pneumatic/automatic if possible, but the main issue I’m running into is the limited clearance between the gantry and the edge of the sheet. There’s plenty of room at the ends of the machine, but along the sides it seems like the gantry clearance limits what I can install without interfering with the gantry or reducing my usable cutting area.
Has anyone built or installed a pneumatic locating-pin system specifically for a 4x8 sheet on a 4x8 Avid?
I’d love to see pictures or hear how you set yours up, especially if the pins retract completely below the spoilboard when not in use.
There have been at least a few users that have done it. They’re attached to the 8020 frame pretty easily.
As far as software support goes there’s already logic in the control for them, and if you get our “aux box” it’s got a 12 valve bank in it so you can plumb them right in pretty easily
I’m in the exact same position - cabinet shop 4x8 machine cutting 4x8 sheets. We have come up against the same issue of lack of clearance for the pneumatic pins and are also eager to learn from anyone who has done it well. I’ll reach out if we find anything and please do the same thanks!
You might want to look up Ben Phelps’ solution. Not pins, but a “rocker” system that is sturdy, accurate, and operates pneumatically. Ben sold his machine to me, so I have these still installed on mine.
Regarding the product you show above, there can be significant, if momentary, lateral force applied to those pins as 4x8 sheets are placed and positioned against them. Yours look like they are designed to work properly in a “push-pull” fashion. Not sure they’d go undamaged if used as locating pins. If damaged, of course, they are no longer accurate. Not good for precision cabinet making.
You’ll probably need to join the group if you haven’t already to be able to get at this. You’ll have to scroll down a ways to find it. I’m happy to take some pictures to supplement this if that will help.
Here you go. The rockers are substantial 3/8" steel, attached to the AVID frame, attached also to one pneumatic cylinder per each of 4 rockers. The cylinders all run to an air manifold, two hoses each, one to push, one to pull, and the manifold is attached pneumatically to a single on/off switch. Posting this now then figuring out how to post photos.
