How to Secure and Machine a Bowling Ball Using a Vacuum Table
Working with a round object like a bowling ball on a flat vacuum clamping surface may sound impossible at first—but with the right setup, it's absolutely doable. In this post, we’ll show how a custom 3D-printed adapter enabled the precise machining of a bowling ball on a vacuum table.
Step 1: Holding a Sphere on a Flat Surface
To machine a bowling ball on a CNC machine, a standard vacuum table alone won’t do the trick. Specialized clamping adapters or fixtures are needed to hold the round shape securely in place.
First, the ball is placed into a custom-designed fixture that supports its curved surface. Once in position, the vacuum is activated to hold the ball steady during the machining process. This stable setup allows CNC tools—such as mills or drills—to work precisely on the ball’s surface.
Step 2: Why You Need an Adapter
A vacuum system requires a pressure difference between the top and bottom of the workpiece. That’s easy with flat parts—but with a curved object like a bowling ball, additional support is needed to maintain a seal and generate enough holding force.
This is where a 3D-printed adapter comes in. It creates the necessary sealing and interfaces with the vacuum ports on the vacuum table. It also provides flat surfaces to allow accurate positioning and probing.
Step 3: The Setup
This blue 3D-printed adapter is the perfect solution. It features:
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A circular cavity to cradle the ball
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A sealing groove for airtight vacuum suction
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A vacuum channel for connecting to the vacuum table
Once the ball is placed on the adapter and the vacuum is switched on, the ball is locked in securely.
Step 4: Machining Begins
With everything clamped and aligned, it’s time to machine. The CNC machine mills the ball into the desired shape. In this example, layers are machined step-by-step—precision work made possible by the adapter’s stability.
Step 5: Done!
After the chips fly and the machine finishes its job, the result speaks for itself: a perfectly machined bowling ball held throughout the process using a vacuum table and a custom adapter
Need to Clamp a Complex Shape? We’ve Got You Covered
If you have a STEP file, we can create the adapter you need. Our custom solutions work on both grid and hole grid vacuum tables the same way.
Contact us to discuss your custom clamping solution!
