First Build 5 x 12 Steel Frame CNC router

[routercnc]

Hi Scott,

I wrote that spreadsheet some time ago to compare simple shapes. For the numbers you have entered it looks like it is giving the correct answers.

Things to note:
It assumes everything else (e.g. spindle, tool, bearings, bedplate, joints . . . .) is infinitely stiff - so it is best case
Have you entered just one of the two gantry beams? If so the real stiffness will be higher as you have 2
Or have you given the overall gantry dimensions as a single beam? If so the real stiffness will be lower
It makes no prediction for deflection due to cutting vibration and machine resonance

It terms of max deflection it is personal choice but I would say wood <0.05mm and alum <0.01mm as a starting point. Others opinions welcome!

I get the point about raised gantry vs raised X axis (in the US this can be Y axis) for material loading, so as long as you've thought about the options and made a choice that's fine. Didn't know what you knew.

In summary you have a very stiff machine that is stiff enough for wood, but that gantry is heavy (hence our concern over stepper/driver/voltage - if you know these are OK then that's good), and resonance is unknown (the sheet can't show this).