Simple Machine (help and advice needed)

**Gregor** · 14-12-2014

Hi EddyCurrent
I haven't ordered anything yet still messing about on sketchup lol.But I will take you and Jazzcnc advise and get the Hiwin type.Heres my first Attempt at a gantry It took me five hours to do this on sketchup I don't know what I was doing but I kept deleting parts off the sketch.

**Blackrat** · 15-12-2014

just another +1 on the hiwin rails ...

for the price difference it IS money well worth it !

for the gantry , dont have the gantry side like an upside down T as it offsets the spindle too much and the spindle will go quite a bit over the tables surface. using a L shape might be better and reduce the amount you go off the table (unless you want to ofcourse)

**EddyCurrent** · 15-12-2014

Originally Posted by Blackrat

for the gantry , dont have the gantry side like an upside down T as it offsets the spindle too much and the spindle will go quite a bit over the tables surface. using a L shape might be better and reduce the amount you go off the table (unless you want to ofcourse)

Yes, the spindle should be inside the footprint of the 4 gantry bearings, this is the key diagram; http://www.cncroutersource.com/do-it...NC-router.html

**Gregor** · 15-12-2014

Thanks for the advice would this be a better design.

**mekanik** · 15-12-2014

Hi Gregor
That setup would ensure you get the Z axis very close to the gantry and the motor should be positioned as near to the centre of the X bearings as possible.
Only problem i envisage is the alignment of the gantry rails, do have a solution to this ?
Regards
Mike

**EddyCurrent** · 15-12-2014

Yes, that's a better design.

Originally Posted by mekanik

Only problem i envisage is the alignment of the gantry rails, do have a solution to this ?
Regards
Mike

You are right, maybe one rail could be welded and the other bolted to allow adjustment ?

**Gregor** · 15-12-2014

Hi
When you talk about the gantry rails are they the rails on the x axis,Heres a few new pics ,I have done all the metal work to scale on sketchup and the dimension's off the base are 860mmx720mm not including the end plates on the base. The gantry was made 730mm to allow for clearance for the plates for the ballscrews. As I say I want to try and make it as simple and easy to make with most off it made by welding so let me know if this design is a load off Cr@P
Cheers