Z Axis Setup

[musicmkr]

I am building a small table top 3 axis machine mostly for foam/plastic/wood, using a Dremel as the spindle. The frame is 2"x4" aluminum tube, and most surfaces are 1" thick Polyethylene sheet.

Since I am trying to keep the machine as small as possible, I have found that with my current design, it would save a lot of space to have the Z axis stepper Ride along with the Z Axis itself. I am not sure of the motor specs but they are somewhere around 75 oz in, and there are 4000 steps per inch, with an overall travel of 3 inches. Is there any reason why I should avoid this, and re-design so that the motor is not on the Z axis?

Thanks for your help.

Ryan

[Al_The_Man]

On a gantry, I always thought the z did carry its motor, are you sure you do not mean the Y?
Al
Forget that last statement, I see what you are getting at, I can not see any problem as long as the weight of the motor is figured into the z axis load.

[bb99]

I think he means that the moter will move up and down with the Drenel.

--Alan

[musicmkr]

I just re-read what I wrote, and it wasn't quite clear.

What I want to do is have the Z axis Stepper, move up and down with the spindle.

I don't see it being a problem as long as the motor can lift the extra weight. I just didn't know if there was a reason that this would be bad, like if the motor would twist the spindle mount as the Z stepper feeds up or down.

With all the compromises I have made to make this a cheap project, I probably shouldn't worry about it.

[balsaman]

It will be no problem at all.

Eric

[yukonho]

balsaman has spoken!!!

(he is right)
co