For a while, I also had a similar design however I concluded that one small design change would create huge advantage.
What I did was to put the X axis stepper on the gantry and the y axis stepper on the head assembly. Then, if I ever need to increase the cutting footprint, all I need to do is to extend the frame and the 'x' for one dimension and widen the gantry and 'y' rail for the other dimension.
My reasoning was based on that fact that all the complexity / expense will have been worked through by completion so why limit the design and restrict the cutting footprint unnecessarily.
I may never need to increase the cutting footprint but if I do, it will be easy and not very costly.
Andy |