Can a FPZ regen and Hurricane co-exist?

[jbiddle]

I'm using a FPZ vacuum on my Panther and am looking to upgrade to a Cobra Elite. I'd like to take advantage of faster cut speeds for sheet goods but want to minimize the amount of part movement. My thinking is to keep the FPZ and add a Hurricane to help with the air flow after a number of parts have been cut out. Would these two play well together or fight each other?

[Gary Campbell]

What are the specs from the FPZ? In most cases a properly sized vac pump, whether FPZ or Hurricane should do the job alone, assuming everything is working up to par. Especially on a 4 by 8 table.

That said, the technique of coupling 2 dissimilar vacuum pumps was pioneered by Brady Watson a number of years ago. The system uses a check valve to ensure the stronger pump does not "pull" the weaker one backwards.

Google: "Ova da Hump Vacuum" (its a technical term)

[jbiddle]

I see in Brady Watson's setup, he was addressing the pressure differential between a HFLS system (like a Fein) and a LFHS system (like a Gast). In the case of FPZ and Hurricane, we'd be dealing with two HFLS systems although each would have slightly different operating conditions.

But, I think the concept would be the same, except I'd propose to add a check valve into each system (he only used a check valve on the lower pressure Fein system). That should allow me to operate either system independently or both systems together. Does that sound like a reasonable approach?

Under normal operating conditions, the FPZ alone is enough to handle a 4x8 sheet. The conditions change from normal when using pre-finished plywood, non-flat plywood, higher cut speeds, smaller parts, etc. Also, my thought is to add t-tracks to a phenolic plenum and slots through the spoil board that will allow for more vacuum loss when cutting across those slots.

[BradyWatson]

Hey Fellers...Yes you can, but you have to question whether it is worth it or not.

Let's say the FPz is a 5hp unit capable of 9Hg" and 200 CFM (like the one I have) and the Hurricane does around the same (don't remember exact numbers, but I am sure it's close). The only real benefit of combining the two is to get more CFM, since they both pull about the same. This would be handy on parts with a lot of through cuts/kerfs, or a very large table.

The original idea behind the check valve setup was to use a Fein and a high suction, low CFM lab pump to get over the hump & create the initial vacuum seal for CNC - OR for vacuum bagging/thermoforming where you need to evacuate a large volume quickly, but wind up at high vacuum in the end.

The caveat with using the check valve is that you need to shut off the one that is sealed off just cavitating (and possibly overheating) unless you come up with an automated system - again, one has to question whether it is all worth it or not.

-B