Quote Originally Posted by hardenum View Post
The main DOC concern was that when I put different pieces with different height onto the vacuum table I'd hit the higher ones with the vertical beam. Like machining the bottom and top piece (http://www.jt-precision.com/uploads/...7293225867.jpg) one after another without actually having to go and change the piece. Sure I could put the higher one to the front, it would work, but knowing me, I'd switch the 2 unconsciously and mess some part of the machine.

Anyway, do you recommend a ballscrew on each column or one thicker in the middle?
That piece would not be machined assembled. It would be done in two pieces and then the hinges connected.

Your design won't machine that work in one piece anyway. Your cutting tool will be say 5mm, but 50mm higher in Z you will have your full spindle cartridge/Z axis to hit the piece standing up.

How much experience do you have machining / making parts?

Some of the issues you are trying to solve with machine design are actually fixturing issues.

No machine design will save you from forgetting to do something correctly.