Design Considerations...Basic!

[ger21]

You can buy the supports from McMaster-Carr. They are exspensive, but you could buy 1 and cut it into small sections, as you probably don't really need it to be fully supported.

[Nonoriginal]

I have been trying to design the gantry, but I'm running into some problems.

The pillow blocks measure 2.75" x 4.50". I have a plate of 16"x16"x1" 6061-T6 that I would like to make my gantry sides with. Is one pillow block enough to support an 8"x1" gantry side*? Or should I cut my Sides down to 6 inches?

*The Thompson spec's say a static load capacity of 940lbs per block.

I drew this little gantry this afternoon. Its modeled after Beezers CNC rig. I would use some .5 6061 plate as outside gussets to stiffen the back side.