1800 x 1500 x 500 work area CNC build log

[marbles]

Z axis Design

700 x 152 x 9.5mm alu plate x 2
25.4x12.7mm alu bar x 2
HG20 rails 700mm x 2
HG20 blocks x 4
1605 C7 ballscrew
coupler
4nm stepper

The design of the z axis carriages is one i’ve not seem before but i’m hoping will work for me. I’ve mounted the rails on two alu risers that screw directly into the 700 x152 travel plate. The blocks for the Z are fixed to the Y axis plate and the rails travel.This adds more weight (8kg total) but some additional rigidity. The idea of this design is to give as much support as possible to a B/C head, or infact anything when the Z is extended and expected to have any substantial forces against it. By placing the rails on 12.7mm alu bars it actually gives the perfect spacing for the ballscrew and all the supports to ride just behind the travelling plate.
(I just noticed is that I have to add extenders to the grease points to get access for the gun. Just sourced some on ebay there)

[routercnc]

Looking good. For carving big chunks of foam that will be fine. Spacing out the rails is less popular vs a solid plate with pockets machined to clear the ballscrews as it is a bit stiffer. But the spacer is going to be more economical for such a large Z and I think will be ok.