Marchant Dice router no thrust bearings?

[m_c]

I'mnot wanting to defend Marchant's machines, but press fit works fine if done right. There are far more critical machines relying solely on pressfit to keep things together.

As for the lack of thrust bearings, I've got a lathe that would of cost far more than a few thousand in todays money that relies on the stepper motor bearings to hold ballscrews in place. It's not ideal, and most likely will have an effect on longitivity, but it works.

I am wanting to upgrade my lathe, but it's still currently rattling out lots of parts bang on size without any issues.

[JAZZCNC]

I'mnot wanting to defend Marchant's machines, but press fit works fine if done right. There are far more critical machines relying solely on pressfit to keep things together.

Think you'll be hard pressed to any commercial or even serious Hobby CNC machine that press fit Ballnuts or run ballscrews without some form of end fixing.?? . . . It's Bad practice pure and simple and proper manufacturer wouldn't do it.!

[m_c]

Think you'll be hard pressed to any commercial or even serious Hobby CNC machine that press fit Ballnuts or run ballscrews without some form of end fixing.?? . . . It's Bad practice pure and simple and proper manufacturer wouldn't do it.!

I wasn't actually meaning specifically CNC machines! I was thinking about any machinary in general.
The fact is though, in this particular application, I doubt the steppers/ballscrews will generate enough force to move the ballnuts in the extrusion. It's quite smart, in that it does the job while reducing parts count and the amount of machining needed. Maybe not the ideal way to do it, but perfectly functionable.
Large CNC machine builders won't do it because of serviceability. Pressing something into something easily handled is a bit different from something pressfitted into a lump of iron weighing several hundred kg. There's also the manufacturing issue. A few tapped holes, with a locating boss is easier than a single tight tolerance pressfit.

I'm not defending MD though, especially given the prices. I'm just saying the methods used are maybe not ideal, but they're still perfectly functional.

[JAZZCNC]

It's quite smart, in that it does the job while reducing parts count and the amount of machining needed. Maybe not the ideal way to do it, but perfectly functionable.

Erm.!!. . . . I'd be more inclined to call it lazy arse bodging fueled by greed.!!

[gavztheouch]

john this machine has a working area of around 300mm by 500mm