Question Pneumatic Mat Cutter

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sruddy

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Steve Ruddy Photography
Hi All,
We were doing printing and framing jobs in our photo studio. However the space is not big enough to do both at the same time, so we are in the process of building a dedicated frame shop. It's small at 12' x 18', so I'm looking for a manual pneumatic mat cutter that is made to lean. I had one I was interested but found out the listing wasn't marked sold. We are getting ready to have the walls paneled and we are laying a 3/8 flexible copper line in place for the future mat cutter. My question is how much pressure do pneumatic cutters require and what size feed line is typical?
 

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After reading both of your posts I would suggest using “computerized mat cutter” or CMC as a descriptor.
The pneumatics in these machines is limited to the insertion and retraction of the cutting blade and works at about 80 psi.
The rest of the machine runs off of electric step motors.
AIM is a brokerage and depend on the listing seller to keep the listings up to date. The machine you were looking at probably sold privately unbeknownst to the folks at AIM.
As far as a combination of portable and vertical you may need to pick one or the other.
My CMC, Wizard 8000, is as close to vertical as the manufacturer suggests (75 degree slope), but it had to be mounted to the wall for stability. It came with a floor stand, but the slope was more like 15 degrees, and subsequent footprint was too large for my shop space.
You should explore the different makes and models as they likely vary.
Best of luck with your build out.
 
sruddy said:
We are getting ready to have the walls paneled and we are laying a 3/8 flexible copper line in place for the future mat cutter. My question is how much pressure do pneumatic cutters require and what size feed line is typical?
Click to expand...
Why copper and who specified its use? Copper is very expensive and used only in special environments as with some other alternatives.
The industry standard used to be galvanized pipe or "black pipe" that is used as the buildings "mechanicals". Today special plastic pipe is also allowed by some building codes. Today, PEX can be approved by some local building inspectors. I assume that this will be inspected by a local code enforcement officer.

The one type of pipe that is usually forbidden is PVC and CPVC pipes in most locations due to them breaking apart throwing pieces all over as in shrapnel like a bomb vs splitting when there is a failure.

In either case the source pipe for the compressed air is secured to or in the wall and is not ment to move or be flexible. The connection between the wall air outlet and the machine is where there might be flexibly. This is usually an air hose with quick connect fittings, the same as with pneumatic hand tools. In cases where the air compressor is in the same room, some building code officers will allow pneumatic hose to be run to the machine without rigid pipe.
 
wpfay said:
After reading both of your posts I would suggest using “computerized mat cutter” or CMC as a descriptor.
The pneumatics in these machines is limited to the insertion and retraction of the cutting blade and works at about 80 psi.
The rest of the machine runs off of electric step motors.
AIM is a brokerage and depend on the listing seller to keep the listings up to date. The machine you were looking at probably sold privately unbeknownst to the folks at AIM.
As far as a combination of portable and vertical you may need to pick one or the other.
My CMC, Wizard 8000, is as close to vertical as the manufacturer suggests (75 degree slope), but it had to be mounted to the wall for stability. It came with a floor stand, but the slope was more like 15 degrees, and subsequent footprint was too large for my shop space.
You should explore the different makes and models as they likely vary.
Best of luck with your build out.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I don't require portable and my budget including any shipping is 2-2.5K. I assume a CMC will be out of budget, higher learning curve, and more maintenance.
 
Yes, without opening up the image to full size. Your compressor not identifiable in the reduced and cut off insert image.
I still stand by my comment as to your budget if there are any available. AIM did not have any listed. The only internet connection to a Valiani machine (Mat Pro® -i) I found was from their website and an English companies India subsidiary. I have not seen this type technology in over 15 years in the US other that in a production readymade environment.

You would be better off with a quality manual table top mat cutter that can accommodate multi-opening and multi-layer mats easier, IMHO, with over 40 years in this business.
 
JFeig said:
Why copper and who specified its use?
Click to expand...

You BUILD. You know what you're talking about. Copper is very odd for this application. The air compressor seems oversized for the workspace/mat cutting (unless you're using it for other types of work).

Sruddy, it seems we are in a similar situation. I downsized from a 1,000sqft shop to 200sqft while I build a 2,000sqft shop. I manually cut mats, but desperately need a CMC for the amount of work I have.

I'll be buying a Wizard 8000 when I finish building the 2,000sqft shop. Specs for this machine state:

110 volt electrical outlet
1/4" female fitting on main airline, or quick disconnect attachment
Air Source - 100 to 120 PSI

Best of luck. 👍
 
JFeig said:
Why copper and who specified its use? Copper is very expensive and used only in special environments as with some other alternatives.
The industry standard used to be galvanized pipe or "black pipe" that is used as the buildings "mechanicals". Today special plastic pipe is also allowed by some building codes. Today, PEX can be approved by some local building inspectors. I assume that this will be inspected by a local code enforcement officer.

The one type of pipe that is usually forbidden is PVC and CPVC pipes in most locations due to them breaking apart throwing pieces all over as in shrapnel like a bomb vs splitting when there is a failure.

In either case the source pipe for the compressed air is secured to or in the wall and is not ment to move or be flexible. The connection between the wall air outlet and the machine is where there might be flexibly. This is usually an air hose with quick connect fittings, the same as with pneumatic hand tools. In cases where the air compressor is in the same room, some building code officers will allow pneumatic hose to be run to the machine without rigid pipe.
Click to expand...
I believe copper is fine to use and if he wants it why not let him? Pex is not used for compressed air lines because of vapor permeability…..you might be thinking of pap lines which include an aluminum substrate in the pipe to prevent vapor transmission.

He has a huge compressor easily seen in his photo, which should be more than adequate for his needs.
 
JFeig said:
Copper is very expensive and used only in special environments as with some other alternatives.
Click to expand...
Really? We have only ever used copper in all three of our historical locations.

Maybe in "industry" where they have 100-500 HP systems and need 2-3" diameter pipe runs the standard is galvanized. But personally I'd be afraid of corrosion and flaking in galvanized for a typical shop.
 
The Pneumatic mat cutter that is not a CMC is an odd category.
Most Framers use Manual Mat Cutters and/or CMC.

I know that the Esterly Speed Mat Cutter is a thing, but I've never used one, or seen the need to use one.
 
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