BaileyBoy's Build - Steel, 1.6m x 1.3m cutting area

Hello all

I've been lurking on here for a while, I've now finally started to draw the machine I think I need(!), and am hoping to get your input.

Some design requirements and decisions of mine are as follows:

- Cutting area of 1.6m x 1.3m minimum
- Able to cut wood and foam
- Able to cut foam blocks up to 200mm deep
- Steel frame construction
- Sectional construction, all sections must be able to pass through a standard door aperture
- Ball screw transmission
- Hiwin rails
- Levelling feet

As such a long Z axis travel is required, I have drawn a router table where the height is is adjustable.

My current machine drawings are incomplete and lacking detail, but I'm hoping they show enough detail that with your help I can determine if I'm on the right track or living on another planet! I own all of the steel shown in my drawings so am hoping to use it, controversial I know.

Attachment 32430Attachment 32431Attachment 32432Attachment 32433Attachment 32434Attachment 32435Attachment 32436

The 2m side sections are welded together and are constructed of tubes measuring 120mm x 80mm x 5mm and 80mm x 80mm x 3mm.
These side sections are bolted to the front and rear tubes ( sections / aprons) which measure 160mm x 80mm x 5mm. Bolts pass through 10mm thick plates welded to the aprons. The triangulating tubes in the base area are bolted in.

The work holding platform is currently drawn as one welded section of multiple tubes measuring 80mm x 80mm x 3mm, but is likely to be 2 or 3 sections bolted to the central spine which measures 120mm x 80mm x 5mm.

The work holding platform will be raised and lowered with the use of farm jacks, one positioned in the centre of the outside of the side sections on either side of the frame. Got it?! It works in my head, I once did a similar thing with a diy 4 post car lift. Once at the required height, the platform is bolted to the vertical side sections.

I was hoping that the highest platform height could accommodate, without being adjusted, up to 100mm deep foam. Obviously, the cutting tool would then be far away from a sheet of ply.

I would prefer to have a flat, non adjustable table with a tall gantry which would accommodate all of my requirements, but from reading other build logs, I get the idea this would be difficult to achieve?

The gantry as shown but with all the trimmings , I estimate to be between 120 - 130kg! By using smaller section steel, I can't see me being able to get this below 100kg. I'm not dead against servos, but I would need help!

Any input is appreciated (maybe!). Cheers