We are about to purchase a 5X12 CNC and are pretty sure we'll be better served using a vacuum lift (the sort with the boom arm) for loading the CNC rather than an auto-loader, and certainly better than hand-loading unassisted.
The auto-loader is going to make this machine MUCH longer than we'd prefer. We'd prefer side loading because of space restrictions. We simply don't have room to accommodate that extra length but would have plenty of room to set bunks of material pre-staged next to the CNC.
Maybe you all can help us decide what vac lift model/brand, or what features, we should be looking at. Our CNC dealer will have suggestions obviously but we can buy anything we want.
Normally our batch size is 25 sheets or less, usually 12-15 sheets of 3/4" and then maybe 4 or 5 sheets of 1/4". Frequently batch size is only 4-8 sheets before changing over to a different material.
We only have 4 materials we might cut on a "daily" basis that are 3/4". So we are thinking of setting the bunks of these materials next to the CNC and just leave them there. No forklifting until that bunk is empty, and the new one is slid in place.
How are you guys setting up for this? What brand/features for a vac lift can you suggest? How do they handle porous stuff like Red Oak plywood?
We cut mostly domestic plywood and melamine. 4X8, 4X10, and now possibly 5X8 and 5X12.