Gantry Aluminium thickness guidance

[dachopper]

It's a well-established technique, though! Look at it another way, it's less than half plate thickness and along an axis where there is little bending load, and where at least part of the channel is spanned and reinforced by the spindle mount. It keeps the spindle axis as close as possible to the Y rails to reduce leverage compared to using spacers. Probably won't matter too much for light cutting loads like foam but it seems like a good idea if you have the facilities to do it (and plenty of people have ploughed this kind of channel with a portable router, well-clamped guides, and a bit of care).

I see your point, it doesn't really need to be exact, just enough to avoid screw contact.

[Tom J]

Nick
I would not use anything less than 20mm, 25mm for Z plate and at least 20mm for spindle if braced by spindle bracket or other form.
If you are not limited with machining process and time than do not cut the corners - do it properly.
See how I keep changing design




after 2 days of scratching my head - still not happpy
All those changes were made to short the overhang by less than 50mm - is it worth it?

[dachopper]

Lots of drilling and tapping yesterday,

And I had an accident and slid a bearing cart off the linear rail - then 10 bearings fell out..took ages to pack them back in there, but much easier than repacking ballscrews !

Slides well, next to attach the Y axis ballscrews, and machine the Z axis plate :)

Nick

[dachopper]

more progress