A couple of beginner questions... Profile sizes and cutting area size.

[NordicCnc]

The machine in the picture uses a single screw and as a cutting area of about 600 x 1000 if I recall correctly. However, I've built lots of machines with this design up to 700 x 1250 cutting area using single screws. If you wanted stronger machine at the same width/length say for cutting mostly aluminum or Hardwoods with heavy cuts then go with twin motors every time.

What about the raised gantry for the machine in the picture? It would become way stiffer with raised Y-axis, e.g. with profiles and then then X-axis would me mounted straight onto the frame. This would require 2 ballscrews on the Y-axis too.


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[JAZZCNC]

What about the raised gantry for the machine in the picture? It would become way stiffer with raised Y-axis, e.g. with profiles and then then X-axis would me mounted straight onto the frame. This would require 2 ballscrews on the Y-axis too.

Yes, your correct it would be stronger and I build that type of machine as well. If you look back far enough you'll find I was one, if not the first build a router in this way and with an adjustable height bed also. However, this machine was built with specific needs and to work within a confined space so raised sides and the extra size that comes with it did not suit. The machine in the picture was designed solely to cut woods but it easily handles light to medium aluminum work also.

End of the day it's horses for courses and if you want a machine to cut Aluminium and steel then you shouldn't be building a moving gantry-type machine unless it's built like a tank, and even then it will always be inferior to a fixed gantry-type machine.