why hasn't any one done a horizontal gantry mill

[tony978]

hello ,
I am looking to see if any one has mounted or made a desktop horizontal gantry mill, I do understand it is easier to make a vertical machine and I did read a thread with a few reasons not to but nothing major .

[jjobezo]

I am contemplating doing just this due to limited shop space. My procedure would be to build it flat first to get everything lined up then turn it on it's side. As long as it is ridged enough then I don't see too much of a problem. With the X axis horizontal, and the Y axis vertical, only the Y axis will need a stronger motor to move the weight of the Z and spindle. Holding down the work piece will need to be without benefit of gravity.

[PaulRowntree]

Vertical has some advantages, but rules out chain/belt drives for the vertical axis unless you use counterweights or air-springs. As a rule the acceleration due to gravity is about 10x greater than the acceleration we subject the tool to in use, so the motor will use most of its energy/power just holding the tool in place. Up and down are not symmetric the way left/right are, so the backlash etc may be more complicated.

[tony978]

your right about counterweights or air-springs . as for the screws they make anti backlash ball screws . I am looking to tip my flashcut 6500 do to it will be better to have the dust fall and be remove then set up a vac system .

[zool]

Originally Posted by tony978 I am looking to tip my flashcut 6500 do to it will be better to have the dust fall and be remove then set up a vac system .

You'd be better served to improve the dust collection than tip the machine on its side and try to overcome gravity.

Look at this for a start about thinking about another method: All About Dust Collection - Fine Woodworking Article

This is one of the best books on dust collection: Woodshop Dust Control, 2nd Ed. by Sandor Nagyszalanczy - Woodworking - Books - Taunton Store

Even the first edition of this will be of help.

Dust collection on power tools works via what is known "entrainment"; that is: The particles are drawn into a moving stream of air [and remember air is a fluid] and are then transported to a separation device, when the particles are removed from the entrainment medium.

To see how others have solved this persistent problem, got to YOUTUBE and type in this: cnc router & dust collection

And if you think you have dust problems, look at the first 20 seconds of this!!!

‪Dust Collection - Creating a halfway decent dust skirt‬‏ - YouTube

‪Dust Collection - Creating a halfway decent dust skirt‬‏ - YouTube

[tony978]

that looks good for when your doing objects that are not 2" deep pockets .
also I don't care for the vac boot I like to see what I am about to hit. I like using all of the room between the tool and the part with clamping sticking up to hit , parts don't move when held down like that .

I run a hurco and fedel for a hobby or some will call a real job for over a decade . so I can make what I need to balance the axis .

specs on the cnc drive motors are 600 oz/inch steppers that replaced the stock 145 it came with . so I think with minimal work I could put the cnc on its side . the cnc is in an enclosed case with a blower and dust bag so the stuff in the air is caught .

[zool]

Opportunity cost is the cost of any activity measured in terms of the best alternative forgone. It is the sacrifice related to the second best choice available to someone who has picked among several mutually exclusive choices.[1]

It is a key concept in economics. It has been described as expressing "the basic relationship between scarcity and choice." The notion of opportunity cost plays a crucial part in ensuring that scarce resources are used efficiently.

Opportunity costs are not restricted to monetary or financial costs: the real cost of output forgone, lost time, pleasure or any other benefit that provides utility should also be considered opportunity costs.

[tony978]

thank you zool for your reply's.

I am still wondering if any one has done it ?

[CarveOne]

I have seen a number of the wall mounted (and leaning against the wall) types since I have been on CNC Zone. The leaning types look similar to the plywood cutting machines at a lumber/plywood dealer.

CNC - Routers

Panel Saws, Vertical Beam Saws, CNC Routers and Machining Centers by Hendrick Manufacturing

Denford Vertical Router cutting out a slot together rocking chair

Google Vertical CNC Routers to find more.

CarveOne

[RomanLini]

Just a thought, but the logical way to make it vertical is with the sheet long, and the gantry vertical (and gantry moving horizontal).

In that way the only weight lifted is the "head" ie the z-axis and Z motor, spindle, etc. It doesn't have to lift the whole gantry!

[CarveOne]

Roman,

That's what is shown in the video link I posted. I agree that it makes little sense to lift and lower the weight of the whole gantry and Z axis, but if you have a 'normal' rectangular machine and stand it on the narrow end against the wall it would be the only other way to have a smaller footprint on the floor and have still a horizontal gantry.

Most CNC routers already have a horizontal gantry. The title of this thread is a little confusing.

[Walky]

What about piece holding? You'll need some nice vacuum to hold the workpiece in place, and some room to install the system (unless you're using bridges).