Mechanical Advice

**Pheet** · 02-10-2013

Hello. I'm not sure if the below was posted before. Appologies if it appears twice somewhere. Apparently It was a blog before.

I'm currently designing a simple gantry style router. I've been trawling the forum but cannot find a picture to see how it's done so I thought I'd ask.

The gantry sides will be 40x160 aluminium profile similar to Shinobiwans, bolted to 20 mm thk profile bearing blocks.

My current dilemma is should I try just bolting straight through the profile ( the four bolt holes in each of the bearing blocks line up with the flats on the profile) into the bearing block or would it be better / easier / more accurate to assemble by using a intermediate spreader plate of say 5mm thickness between the bearing block and the profile of the gantry side?

Any guidance greatly received. Thanks

PS Great source of info - learn't lots from reading all the posts

**JAZZCNC** · 02-10-2013

Definitely have the plate but make it at least 10mm not 5mm and make it wider to give wider foot print for the bearing spacing. 160mm isn't wide enough really and I think Ant (Shinobiwan) would agree that he'd have wider spacing if making himself or doing again.

Make the plate a flat top triangle-ish shape (I know it's not a triangle but don't know it's correct name. . Lol) that goes 200-250mm or so up the profile and have locating blocks or dowels on the surface that locates into the Slots to help align and stop movement,This will give you much better rigidity.!