Gantry design and FEA analysis

[Boyan Silyavski]

Steel box i buy for 1e per kg, so 30-40 euro more on a machine when i value my hour 25-100e should not be a big deal, right?

[JAZZCNC]

Would you mind expanding on this, please? Thank you

Well, it's strongest when used on its edge, so for instance if fastening rails onto it you wouldn't use it flat unless it's supported from below. When properly used and supported it's very strong. Hence why my "L" shape gantry is works so well because together 2 pieces of rectangle form a very strong gantry in both directions but still allow reasonably lightweight Gantry that is stiff and dampens vibrations.

Now don't get me wrong I'm not saying don't play with FEA or design in CAD.!!... ALL... my machines are designed in Solid works down to the very last detail and done FEA on some of them in some key areas just for my own interests to see if it matches the real thing. And even with the detail, I've model them to they rarely match with anything I can see or measure.

Just pick a design that suits your needs and get on with it.!! . . . . If needs to be stronger get the welder back out.! . . . Or start Mk2 because I can tell you know no matter how well you model the design and try to think things through there will always be things you'd do differently the next time around.!

[Neale]

Or start Mk2 because I can tell you know no matter how well you model the design and try to think things through there will always be things you'd do differently the next time around.!

Now, ain't that just the truth!