Automated Woodworking Blast Gate System
"Put sawdust where it belongs, in the penalty box."
The Gate Goalie Automated Blast Gate System is designed to keep sawdust collection in the woodworking shop convenient and efficient.
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The Gate Goalie Automated Blast Gate System simplifies the process of needing to open and close blast gates and the turning on and off of the dust collector in the woodworking shop.
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Typical Shop Dust Collection Systems
Many home and custom cabinet shop dust collection systems consist of a Dust Collector and a manually operated blast gate at each tool location to open or close the vacuum path between the tool and the dust collector. This method for milling the wood involves the following list of tasks.
Task 1 - Close any previously opened blast gates.
Task 2 - Open the blast gate for the tool to be used.
Task 3 - Turn on the dust collector.
Task 4 - Turn on the tool.
Task 5 - Perform the wood milling task.
Task 6 - Turn off the tool.
Task 7 - Turn off the dust collector.
Gate Goalie Dust Collection
With the Gate Goalie Automated Blast Gate System the task list becomes much simpler.
Task 1 - Turn on the tool. (The blast gate opens and the dust collector turns on.)
Task 2 - Perform the wood milling task.
Task 3 - Turn off the tool. (The dust collector turns off and the blast gate closes.)
You are done!
Gate Goalie Overview
The Gate Goalie System is designed to automate blast gate function and can also control dust collector powering on and off in your wood shop. The system has been engineered using pneumatic controlled blast gates with a wired communication network.
Gate Goalie offers pneumatic controlled blast gates for drain type PVC ducting and for flex type hose or a combination of both in 4" and 6" sizes. Gate Goalie also offers ideas and components for modifying your existing blast gates for automatic pneumatic function. For example, if you currently have a metal ducting system installed in your shop your existing blast gates can be modified for automatic pneumatic gate control with the Gate Goalie Automated Blast Gate System so you don't have to purchase new blast gates.
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The best way to achive the most efficient dust collection is to only have one path open at a time between the tool being used for milling and the dust collector. In order to accomplish this a blast gate at each tool is installed. The only blast gate open is the one at the tool being used and all other gates are closed.
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A very informative site about dust collection in the woodworking shop can be found here:
Dust Collector Power Switching
The Gate Goalie Automated Blast Gate System can control the powering of your dust collector on and off when you are performing a milling function at a tool using the Dust Collector Power Control Enclosure product. However, the system can just control the blast gates if you desire to control the dust collector powering independently.
Many newer model dust collectors are including a wireless remote power control feature built into the unit and you can still utilize this feature if desired. You will just have to turn on and off the dust collector as needed but at least with automated blast gates you won't have to walk around the shop closing and opening manual blast gates for the tool you are using at that time.
Gate Goalie Components
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Sensor Enclosure
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An electrical current sensor is attached to the outside of the woodworking tool’s power cord. The sensor connects to the Blast Gate Enclosure.​
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Blast Gate Enclosure
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The Blast Gate Enclosure controls the opening and closing of the blast gate for a particular woodworking tool and sends a signal back to the Main Panel Enclosure to activate the dust collector.
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Main Panel Enclosure
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The Main Panel Enclosure is the home base for all of the Blast Gate Enclosures and it also can control turning the dust collector on and off when a tool is turned on and off.
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Dust Collector Power Control Enclosure
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The Dust Collector Power Control Enclosure is where the electrical power for the dust collector is switched on and off. The configuration of this enclosure depends on the power consumption needs of your model dust collector.
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Blast Gate Components
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Air Cylinder
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An air cylinder is the part that mechanically controls the blast gate damper to open and close. These are available in 4 inch and 6 inch stroke lengths depending on your dust collection system design needs.
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Air Solenoid
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The Air solenoid is the part that actuates the air cylinder to open and close the blast gate slide.
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Polyurethane Tubing
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The polyurethane tubing is light weight flexible tubing which carries the compressed air from the compressor to the air solenoid and from there to the air cylinder.
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Push to Connect Fittings
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The PTC (Push to Connect) fittings are used to connect the polyurethane tubing to the air solenoid and from there to the air cylinder. Running air lines using the polyurethane tubing and the PTC fittings makes the process very easy.
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