Quote Originally Posted by Robin Hewitt View Post
But the horizontal part should be a mere decorative trim. It shouldn't connect to anything

Edit: It does have a purpose, it stops you putting your tea cup where it will get knocked over
How do you work that out then.? It's the foundation of the whole machine and what the Fixed Gantry connects too. Rob is correct in that the Fixed Gantry would benifit from bracing to form a triangle rather than just being a tall pillow.!

Regards twin screws on Z axis then 100% needed and it would fail badly without them. Personally if your only cutting aluminium then I would stay with 5mm pitch has you won't require the extra speed 10mm gives but you will benifit form the extra torque and resolution 5mm gives. Even geared 2:1 so doubling the Torque/resolution 5mm pitch will easily give higher feeds than are required for aluminium.

If your thinking about cutting woods/plastics then go with 10mm pitch.