vaccuum system freezing

[samhanbury]

how are you guys stopping your vacuum systems on your CNCs from freezing?

both my intermacs are giving me hell with it today.

after every job I have to pour boiling water over the manifolds and pipes and then I flush 25l of hot water through the system to clear it but it keeps coming back.

its -4 outside but our warehouse is heated any advise would be helpful


Sam

[Ken Lago]

Air leaks is a contributing factor. I on really cold days ( I don't have heat in the shop ) put a propane heater blowing against the ball valves on the back of my machine, Northwood cnc.

[Shiny Alex]

Hot water will make things freeze quicker (mpemba effect or something like that). Is there any form of additive you could try or maybe a pool heater?

[Wildfan]

We wrap heating cable around our main van line from the pump to the manifolds and it does the trick.