initial specs for new build

[adambrum]

Im finally going to start designing and building my cnc router, I have a general design in my head and what i want the machine to do but im not so sure on the details.

The machine will have a cutting area of 20" x 50" with about 3" z-axis, normal gantry type machine with a single ballscrew for y-axis.

I will be machining mainly acrylic,alloy and ply.

I have decided on supported rails all round, would have liked hiwin but cost was too high.

So here's the first draft of specs.

20mm supported rails for x and y
16mm supported rails for z
20mm ballscrew for y
16mm ballscrew for x and z
120 x 30 alloy extrusion for x,y axis frame
20mm plate for uprights and z-axis

So there's the basic spec, Any thoughts ?

Thanks Adam

[adprinter]

Hello,
I too originally started out with just a general desire to build a machine with about a 3'x4' table. No plans to work with at all. I just became hooked on the idea of CNC after seeing You Tube videos. What a cool device! Output files from a computer, just like output to a printer, and it carves out the part!
That was in October, 2008. Have a look at the attached file, and it may help you in your design.