Simple Machine (help and advice needed)

[JAZZCNC]

That design can't work.! How you going to connect to gantry.?

[Gregor]

Hi Jazz
It was went to fit like this but looking at it it looks stupid .

[JAZZCNC]

Hi Jazz
It was went to fit like this but looking at it it looks stupid .

Bad idea for few reasons really. The bed isn't supported at the edges and the L brackets are too flimsy.
It will work if you Support the edges and run a piece across to each gantry side under the supports with thicker drop plates.

[EddyCurrent]

What about for the bearings you bolt a piece of say 20mm aluminium plate on using 4 cap head hex screws (I've shown bolts) in counterbored holes, then you slide the carriage along to each end of the rail in turn, so you can fasten the plate onto the gantry using 2 bolts (or maybe 4) inserted from below. Or if you put the 2 bolts in first there's probably enough room to tighten them above the rail.

[dazza]

oops edit I just looked at the previous pages and see you covered it. I would definitely stick with the screws on the outside compared to the last drawing.

[njhussey]

From your sketch it looks like the belt and pulleys are on the inside of the 50x50 end piece? How the heck are you going to get at them to fit/tighten/adjust etc? I'm not sure about the single carriage for the X &Y axis either, are they going to be man enough for the cuting forces generated?

[EddyCurrent]

Neil, I think they are the long type bearings but you are right, four of the regular ones (2 each side) would be a lot better.

[Gregor]

Hi
Thanks for all the advice, I have scraped the last attempt and had another go something similar to the first attempt but using two stepper motors and timing belts for the x axis. all box section is 50 x 50 x 4mm as I have a lot off it in stock. For mounting the gantry to the bearings I will probably mount a plate to the bearings and attach the gantry to the plate like EddyCurrent suggested .

[Gregor]

Hi
I have been away working for the last year so haven't been able to complete this project but i am now hopefully back for the next 12 months. To recap My goal is to make a simple strong build which will be able to cut hard woods and aluminium at a reasonable speeds, I only have room in my workshop for a machine off 900mmx800mm,I have done the design using 100mmx60mmx4mm box and 60mmx60mmx4mm box .I have change the design from my last attempts and after reading some more logs would like to try and make it using belts and pulleys if possible.The Z axis i hope to make out off aluminium. Here are a few pics
Cheers