Hi mekanik.
The mechanism that raises the blade is the one in the photo. Click image for larger version. 

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ID:	29015. The machines were build here half a century ago, so I believe all is metric.
The thing that bothers me when working, is getting on my knees to see the ruler indicator on the thicknesser and to position a metal ruller next to the blade when cutting tenons or other similar stuffs on the table saw. I had in mind the stepper motor approach, because a couple of years ago, with the assistance of some very patient guys on this forum, I managed to build a cnc machine, so I know a bit more about this things, rather than arduino. But it is on my bucket list to learn arduino, and conquer the world with an army of tiny drones..whuhaha. :P