Driving the gantry on Z axis?

[Boyan Silyavski]

I have quite mixed feeling with this.
It looks that it will be stronger but after analyzing more carefully the idea, i remember i found something that actually did not like.

Its difficult to explain but i saw that sometimes if everything is done normally and is compact, could be stronger that going the deceptively stronger way.
The fact that the forces actuate on shorter distances and cut resonances to transmit along frame, was the thing that stopped me when starting to make similar design. Still not proven though, may be i am wrong here. Have to redraw everything to make sure.

I still feel that the as short as possible overhang of spindle and correct spacing of rails, especially gantry and the way the gantry rails cross with Z blocks, is the key to making stronger machine. What i mean is that if done correctly and using 2 spindle brackets, it could be done so that the spindle itself at all times is strengthening the z plate, so actually correct design there could make brutally strong Z, which looks normal, but is superior.

However weak spot in video is the hold down, as could be heard from second video. I made with first machine same mistake, not making a strong enough hold down table from the beginning. If you look somewhere in my second build you will find comparing all possible table beds ideas, for a strong bed.