First Build 5 x 12 Steel Frame CNC router

[Scott Damman]

Gerry, those are the ones, I have come to that conclusion as well. I think I will re-list those and find some servos.

Now do I keep a stepper for the Z (a smaller stepper not these big honking ones)? I would lean toward 2 servos on the X and 1 on the Y. Then I am thinking a smooth stepper in between it looks like that is fast enough to run the servos...

I know that my table is still going to be vacuum limited even with 8hp of regenerative vacuum. I plan to have 4 zones and also thinking about ways to include T-slot for hold down of hardwood parts.

Jazz, Im coming up empty on sets that are $400 im finding ~$600 for 1kw AC servo with driver. If you have any links to what you are talking about that would be greatly appreciated.

Im really leaning toward running a powered ballnut/ballscrew setup for the X, like Boyan said most builds here in the states use R&P but the 0 backlash and less wear aspect of the ballscrew is really appealing. Learning as much as I can from this forum and how other people implemented it. Im sure I will have questions...

A few updates, I dont love the look of the legs they look out of proportion to the rest of the machine but its steel that I already had on hand from other projects and its plenty strong with bracing. It gets a 3rd leg just havent gotten that far yet. Lots of bracing. I am trying to keep the one end open so I can use some of the space under the machine for rough sawn lumber storage...




Thanks for all the help so far! opened my eyes to some issues.

Just for fun I took a quick vid of me manually moving the gantry, its amazing with the linear guides allow...~move 500lbs with just fingers.