ok, first attempt using sketchup 8

[deannos]

Went to pick up my cheap box section 100mm x 60mm and it was bent, so left it. But got 2 pieces of RSJ 160mm x 90mm x 7mm x 2000mm for £20 on ebay and local for pick up. I've done a few more workings on my last design, but as there were no replies, it's probably no good. Am i going backwards in my design, i have an idea in covering the 2 outside ball screws using tumble dryer venting duct and curtain wire, it might work.

All the red/brown areas are 40mm x 40mm steel box section, that is reasonably priced. All the ali is 20mm except for the motor mounts where i have used 10mm, milled to 3mm for clearance.




The screw lengths and rail lengths are still as quoted a couple of posts ago. I have at the moment got 1610 on the Z, reading through some other posts it seems i would be better with 1605 on Z, is that correct. Also I'm looking at going with 1:1 ratio with pulleys, would that be OK.

If i have made a big mistake with this design, please let me know. If you want the file to check it out, I'm willing to send it. I'm itching to place an order with chai.

[WandrinAndy]

I'm itching to place an order with chai.

That makes at least two of us Dean! I'm finding that the tweaking, particularly around aligning multiple pulleys and belts, is taking quite long but reckon it's worthwhile getting this right up front in the virtual world.

Btw, your design is looking great to this newbie. It amazes me how many design permutations there are... Suppose it's a good thing as it provides more ideas for us all to crib!

[JAZZCNC]

Dean go with 1605 for the Z axis for the extra resolution. Speed won't be a problem over this short distance.
Also the plate on the rear of the Y axis isn't needed and just costing money and weight it adds very little to strength. Seen has you have room on the Y axis at each side then if you want to stiffen up the joint between bearings a front plate then just use a " L " bracket plate on the side. This will add much more strength for fraction of the cost.
Thou if you use decent sized bolts then even this isn't needed.!

Regards the Gantry design then again I urge you to have some form of gantry sides that ties into the bearing plates which fasten to the RSJ. This will help greatly with twist and resonance, if you don't then I think you will have some.?
Gantry sides that dropped would allow the screw bolt to the web of the RSJ and do away with stuck up in air screw.? Both will work but dropped its out the way of chips and being caught with material etc when loading.!