Thoughts on Sorotec alu-line machine

[JAZZCNC]

Do you still recommend that the linear rails stay on the Z-axis front plate? It would be significantly less weight to move if they are on the Z-axis rear plate, but not as stiff of course. Stiffness could, however, be increased with some aluminum strips.

If I'm honest I don't find there's a lot of difference between them. I used to build all my machines using rails on the front plate and yes it is slightly stronger but it does have some drawbacks. The weight is one but the other is tool height or should say gantry clearance because of the tool length sticking down below the gantry.

With the rails on rear plate, you can raise the tool above the bottom of the gantry allowing for longer tools or a lower gantry clearance if you don't need the height for the material.
The machine in the video as the rails on the backplate.

[NordicCnc]

If I'm honest I don't find there's a lot of difference between them. I used to build all my machines using rails on the front plate and yes it is slightly stronger but it does have some drawbacks. The weight is one but the other is tool height or should say gantry clearance because of the tool length sticking down below the gantry.

With the rails on rear plate, you can raise the tool above the bottom of the gantry allowing for longer tools or a lower gantry clearance if you don't need the height for the material.
The machine in the video as the rails on the backplate.

Thats a good point with the tool length. Although I am struggling to think of any kind of tool with that length other than some extremely long drill. Also the distance between the tool and the rear plate in the y-axis and x-axis direction limits the work area in that case. And as you said, it comes down to if the material requires a larger gantry clearance.

I really think the extra stiffness with the rails on the front plate may be worth it. I also think that I will need the gantry clearance for material at some point and less long tools.

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