Vacuum pods have promised faster setups and cleaner workflows for years. But in most shops, they’ve remained accessories—useful, yes, but separate from the bench itself. AnchorPod was designed to change that.
This isn’t a marketing story. It’s an engineering one—a look inside the thought process, design challenges, and manufacturing decisions that turned a simple idea into the foundation of a modular workholding system.
Rethinking the Pod
The problem with traditional vacuum pods isn’t performance—it’s context. They sit on the bench, not in it. They depend on adapters, brackets, and hoses that clutter the surface and limit access. Even the most capable pods remain temporary fixtures.
AnchorPod began with a simple question: What if vacuum workholding could become part of the bench—not just another tool on top of it? To answer that, we merged two concepts that don’t normally coexist: mechanical anchoring and vacuum sealing.
Engineering the Solution
The result is a patent-pending hybrid: part benchdog, part vacuum pod, and entirely new.
Machined Base — The Foundation of the System
The lower body of the AnchorPod is precision-machined for both strength and performance. Its internal channels are engineered for smooth airflow and consistent vacuum draw, while the machined geometry ensures repeatable tolerances and structural rigidity during high-load use.
Vacuum handling and pressure stability begin here—in the base that manages flow, strength, and repeatability. Integration into the doghole grid is handled entirely by the upper, allowing the base to remain optimized for vacuum performance rather than mechanical friction.
Additively Manufactured Upper — The Adaptive Interface
Above the base sits the additively manufactured upper, a complex geometry that performs both sealing and mechanical anchoring functions. It conforms precisely to the bench’s doghole pattern, forming the airtight interface for vacuum workholding operations and providing compression during mechanical anchoring in AnchorDog mode.
This adaptive component is the key to AnchorPod’s flexibility—capable of acting as a seal, a fixture, or a locking element depending on configuration.
Hybrid Interface System
Every AnchorPod is built around the same principle: one body, two functions—vacuum and mechanical.
Vacuum Workholding Mode
When used as a vacuum source, the AnchorPod’s milled base draws air through the bench surface. A foam gasket can be placed on the bench to seal the workpiece to the surface, or an AnchorPod-Edition Maximus or Magnus Pod can be mounted above to provide a raised, sealed interface. This setup transforms the bench itself into an integrated vacuum table—no external manifolds or clamps required.
AnchorDog Mode
For mechanical anchoring, the upper compresses against the interior wall of the 20 mm (or ¾ in) dog hole. This creates a secure friction-fit lock that resists pull-out and lateral movement, turning the AnchorPod into a precision benchdog without relying on vacuum. The result is a low-profile, mechanically stable anchor that keeps your surface clear and your workflow uninterrupted.
Three Modes. One Platform.
| Mode | Function | Application |
|---|---|---|
| AnchorDog Mode | Mechanical friction lock inside 20 mm or ¾ in dog holes. | Secure rails, jigs, or fixtures without clamps. |
| Gasket Mode | Foam gasket on bench surface seals workpiece for vacuum hold. | Veneered panels, laminates, and delicate materials. |
| Pod Integration Mode | Connects with AnchorPod-Edition Maximus or Magnus pods. | Multi-pod, elevated, or tiered vacuum setups. |
The point isn’t just flexibility—it’s consistency. One platform, one vacuum source, infinite configurations.
Testing the Design
- Pressure-drop testing validated consistent vacuum flow across modes.
- Surface deflection analysis ensured holding strength didn’t deform panels under load.
- Shear testing confirmed the mechanical lock could resist the lateral forces you’d normally experience under expected shop workloads.
- Long-term field testing exposed units to real shop dust, heat, and resin to confirm sealing durability.
The result is a part that performs in the real world—not just in CAD.
Integration by Design
AnchorPod was never meant to live alone. It’s the base layer in a growing system—the connection point that ties the entire SYS-GRP family together.
- Works with Maximus and Magnus pods for expanded vertical workholding.
- Complements SYS-GRP BenchGrip pods to enable vertical and alternative orientation setups.
- Complements AnchorPlug to seal unused 20 mm holes.
- Included in Launch Edition Sets that showcase full-system integration alongside Argos and other core tools.
- Integrates naturally with SYS-FIT fitouts and SYS-ORG bins, extending utility beyond the bench into full system organization.
- Pairs with Argos to simplify fixture adjustments and reposition SYS-GRP components across the bench or along guide rails.
Why It Matters
Traditional clamping fights against the workpiece. AnchorPod integrates with it.
- Faster setups — no more chasing clamps or fixtures.
- Cleaner surfaces — nothing protruding above the bench.
- Stronger, safer holding — the bench itself becomes the anchor.
- Scalability — one component connects to an expanding ecosystem.
Vacuum pods made workholding easier. AnchorPod makes it smarter.
Built for Makers, Engineered for Systems
AnchorPod isn’t about a single product—it’s about a mindset. Every feature, seal, and surface was engineered with the same goal: Build once. Expand forever.
This philosophy drives every FORG3D design decision—from modular pods to surfaces to future-fit hardware. AnchorPod just happens to be where that story begins.
The Future Anchored
AnchorPod’s launch marks the start of a new architecture for modular workholding. As the system grows—with accessories like AnchorPlug, tools like Argos, and future surfaces under SYS-SRF—the AnchorPod remains the reference point. It’s not a one-off innovation; it’s the blueprint.
Your Workflow. Without Limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What defines the AnchorPod approach to workholding?
AnchorPods are engineered as the foundation of the next phase of the SYS-GRP workholding system. Precision-machined components combine with advanced additive manufacturing to deliver strength, accuracy, and repeatability for gasket sealing, bolt-down security, and seamless integration with Maximus and Magnus pods—supporting horizontal and vertical workholding while remaining bench-integrated.
What makes AnchorPod different from other vacuum pods?
AnchorPod anchors through the bench instead of sitting on top of it. It combines a precision-milled base for vacuum operations with an additively manufactured upper that serves as both seal and mechanical anchor—creating a compact, patent-pending system built into the bench itself.
Can AnchorPod replace traditional clamps or benchdogs?
In many workflows, yes. AnchorPod’s dual-mode design lets it act as both a mechanical dog and a vacuum source, reducing the need for external clamps or fixtures while keeping the bench surface clear for routing, sanding, or assembly work.
How does AnchorPod integrate with the SYS-GRP system?
AnchorPod pairs with Maximus and Magnus pods for modular setups, complements BenchGrip pods for vertical or alternative orientations, integrates with SYS-FIT fitouts and SYS-ORG bins, and is included in Launch Edition Sets alongside Argos and other core tools.
Is the AnchorPod compatible with standard MFT or 20 mm bench tops?
Yes. AnchorPod drops into any 20 mm or ¾-inch hole grid and seals against the surface without modification. It is compatible with Festool MFT-style benches, other modular work surfaces that follow that standard, and bench tops of virtually any thickness.