Well i'd thought i'd start a log about it... Going to take a few months since the cash doesn't flow in as quick as i'd like... But that does give me plenty of time to get my head around CAD etc... The machine will be used initially for making computer cases from 5mm perspex.

My plan is to build most of the router from 18mm MDF. This will allow the less important parts to be nice and cheap. I will however be buying decent parts for the linear movement etc as I plan to migrate these to a better machine once i'm settled.

Minimum cut area will be 400x400, Z axis hasn't been decided yet, but will likely be around 50-100mm. I've purchased 500mm supported rails for the X axis and will be using 16mm dia rails for the Y axis ( as per design below). Z axis will probably be 12mm or so rails, but again i'm not sure on this as I havn't got my head around the z axis design.

I am planning ( at the moment ) on making the bed 700mmx700mm. This gives me a nice large working area and extra room to fit everything in. This shouldn't affect the minimum cutting area as i'll be using limit switches to ensure the the equipment is optimised. For drive i'm planning on basic M8 leadscrews, I was planning on delrin drive nuts but I dont have a pillar drill and my first attempt to drill/tap by hand came up a little off straight.

Thats it for now I think... Construction has started and i'll slowly keep this updated with progress. Diagram is to scale, however i'm not sure if the gantry's will remain that small (around 120mm high).