Build Log: 3-4 Axis Mill/Router

[IanS1]

After loads of thought I've decided to stick with a more traditional router design for my first machine. The frame work is almost built so now my attention is more focused on the gantry design. To start with, this machine will be used for cutting aluminium, plastics, acrylics, MDF and plywood. If the machine is successful I will eventually build a dedicated machine for cutting the acrylics, MDF, plywood etc and keep this one for aluminium cutting only, hence the strong heavy frame. Overall the cutting area will be approx 700 x 1400mm and I'm hoping to get around 100mm for the Z axis travel. The bed will probably be a 30mm thick aluminium plate.

.

The frame work is built mostly from 80x80x5mm, the overall size of the frame is approx 1160mm wide, 2000mm long and 650mm to the bed height. All of the diagonal bracing is 40x40x3mm.

.

The Y axis section is 100 x 50 x 8mm, I still have to add the bracing for either end of the Y axis. The extended Y axis is for future plans of a possible ATC at the rear, a rotary axis and a clamping system for machining the ends of ali plates at the front.

.

I'm really pleased with the way it has turned out so far. Using a spirit level across the bed and across the X/Y axis indicates it's pretty flat but with the adjustment I've built in and if needed the use of epoxy I should be able to get it clocked in quite nicely I would think.
.

Anyway, on to the gantry. The design I've gone for is fairly straight forward and hopefully strong enough. The gantry is mostly drawn in 25mm plate with the Z axis plates done in the 30mm. All plates attatching to the bearing blocks are drawn in 30mm. The overall gantry width is 1250mm and height is 270mm.
.

The bearing blocks on the Y axis are spaced at 370mm end to end and the X axis are spaced at 230mm end to end. The linear rails on the Z are spaced at 150mm and the bearing blocks have a vertical spacing of 310mm.
.

Would really appreciate some input on whether this gantry design will be up to the job.