Choosing the Right Vacuum Pump for Our Vacuum Pods
At NEXT WAVE CNC, we offer a variety of vacuum pods to handle a wide range of material sizes — from small parts to medium panels. While we supply the pods and necessary fittings (such as gaskets and vacuum lines), vacuum pumps are not included.
Choosing the right pump is essential for proper workholding. Here's a breakdown of the vacuum pump requirements for each pod we offer:
📌 6x6 Vacuum Pod
- Recommended Vacuum Pump Type: Dry rotary vane, oil rotary vane, or venturi system
- Minimum CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute): 3 CFM
- Vacuum Level: At least 20 inHg (inches of mercury)
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Notes:
- Great for small parts, trim pieces, or detailed routing.
📌 6x12 Vacuum Pod
- Recommended Vacuum Pump Type: Dry rotary vane, oil rotary vane, or venturi system
- Minimum CFM: 3 CFM
- Vacuum Level: At least 20 inHg
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Notes:
- Perfect for medium-sized parts that need a longer footprint.
📌 24x24 Vacuum Pod
- Recommended Vacuum Pump Type: Dry rotary vane, oil rotary vane (higher capacity)
- Minimum CFM: 5 CFM
- Vacuum Level: 20–25 inHg preferred
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Notes:
- Designed for medium-sized panels or larger individual parts — not intended for full 4x8 sheet holding.
- Provides excellent holding power for parts that fit within the 24"x24" surface area.
📌 Dual-Sided Vacuum Pod
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Recommended Vacuum Pump Type: Dry rotary vane, oil rotary vane (medium-to-large size)
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Minimum CFM: 3 CFM
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Vacuum Level: 20–25 inHg
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Notes:
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Designed to hold material on both faces simultaneously.
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Requires stable vacuum across both sides during operation.
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🛠 Additional Vacuum Pump Setup Tips
- Material Type: Porous materials (like MDF) may require higher CFM to maintain effective suction.
- Seal Care: Regularly inspect your gaskets and surfaces for leaks.
- Pump Duty Cycle: A continuous-duty pump is ideal for longer jobs.
🔌 Inlet Compatibility
Most vacuum pumps come with various vacuum tubing fittings.
The tubing included with your system has an outer diameter (OD) of 5/16 inches, so adapters may be required to connect to your pump.
Adapters are commonly available at hardware stores, automotive stores, or online suppliers.
👉 Recommended Adapters:
Straight Adapter, 5/16" Tube OD x 1/8 NPT Male
Straight Adapter, 5/16" Tube OD x 1/4 Pipe Size
🔎 Quick Reference Chart
| Vacuum Pod Model | Minimum CFM | Vacuum Level | Notes |
| 6x6 Pod | 3.0 CFM | 20 inHg | Small parts, trim, detail work |
| 6x12 Pod | 3.0 CFM | 20 inHg | Medium parts |
| 24x24 Pod | 5.0 CFM | 20–25 inHg | Medium-sized parts, not full sheets |
| Dual-Sided Pod | 3.0 CFM | 20–25 inHg | Material on both faces |
NWCNC Tested Pumps
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