[fox]

Ok, so I'm in the middle of designing/building my vacuum exposure table. Got a metal halide lamp, a 3mm neoprene blanket and a hoover. Just need advice on a couple of points:

Do I mount the blanket on the top of the lid or the bottom of the lid? I see most mount on the bottom to make a seal, but I was planning on drilling holes on the inside of the lid frame for suction and just attaching the hoover to the frame. Kind of like the First Light units. Obviously mounting the blanket on top would mean adding an additional strip of seal between the underside of the lid between it and the glass. This is unless I go through the blanket with the hose or up through the glass.

Secondly do you run the glass all the way out to the edge of your lid seal or do have a frame around it and seal to the the frame. I'm thinking if the lid sealed around a frame maybe the suction holes could be in this bottom frame.

I know these are little things that I should probably work out on my own but just thought someone might jump in with advice and maybe warn me if I am doing something really stupid. Any ideas much appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[BlueTarper]

When I made my vacuum exposure table I glued the neoprene blanket on top of the frame and drilled holes on the inside of the lid frame. I connected a small hose to one of the holes inside the frame so I can place the hose on top of the screen being exposed to make sure adequate suction on the screen was being made.

I have a rubber seal going around the bottom of the frame which covers the edge of the glass where it meets the frame of the unit itself - this is to prevent possible air coming in through the unit and not to have too much pressure on the glass as well. This has worked well for me.

 

[fox]

Thanks for the quick response. So your seal covers the join between glass and frame, that sounds ideal. What glue did you use for the blanket?

 

[BlueTarper]

I used Contact Cement to glue the blanket onto the frame. Make sure to spread the Contact Cement completely on the metal frame that will be in contact with the blanket and also spread the Contact Cement on the blanket itself where it will be in contact with the frame. As the instructions indicate on the contact cement, let is sit for approximately 30 mins. (or until the Contact Cement is no longer tacky) and then join the blanket to the frame. Be careful, once the two substrates are connected, they can't be repositioned. You may want to lay the blanket upside down on a flat surface and put the frame on top (instead of trying to position the blanket on the frame).

 

[Blacktiger0]

Do any of you guys have pictures on how you install you vacuum and vacuum blanket? I would really need some visuals...I'm building my own...and I don't really understand how to install the vacuum correctly. Please help if you can.

 

[BlueTarper]

Blacktiger0 - are you wanting to see how the vacuum hose gets hooked into the frame? I'll see if I can take some decent pics for you with some explanation within the next day or so.

 

[fox]

Thanks for the reply, what I ended up doing was mounting the blanket to the top of the frame with contact adhesive and riveted a metal bar over the edge to keep it on. This frame has holes on the inner edge to suck the air in and one hole on the outer edge attached to a vaccum cleaner. The underside of the frame has a foam seal and sits on the glass, so the glass is the same size as the outer diameter of the frame. I will post some pics when I get a chance. This forum has been really helpful, thanks to everyone who gave advice, much appreciated.

 

[BiGGraphics]

I'm a visual guy as well. Anybody have a set of pictures on how they made their exposure unit or can anyone point me in that direction?
Thanks!

 

[Ion Screen]

I found this...
Vacuum Exposure Unit - a set on Flickr


Looks easy enough

 

[BlueTarper]

I found this...
Vacuum Exposure Unit - a set on Flickr


Looks easy enough

If you're using a vacuum cleaner, then this is a better way to go then what I did. I have a vacuum pump that connects into the frame itself.

 

[211chucky]

what did you use for the blanket. i tried the pond stuff and the corners fold up funny and dont make a good seal. it looks like your material is a little for pliable.

 

[BlueTarper]

what did you use for the blanket. i tried the pond stuff and the corners fold up funny and dont make a good seal. it looks like your material is a little for pliable.

I used neoprene fabric - the same material used for making scuba diving suits (wet suits). I can't remember the thickness of the material but it's not that thick.