Newbie- Best Homemade Linear Motion Mechanism?

[mitch_1]

Hey Everybody

I am planning to build my first CNC router and I have been looking at Joes 2006 design and was thinking of how I could make it more simple by changing the side rails from pipe to a piece of angle to act as a track. I am not interested in spending money on aluminum extrusions at this time so that is out. I have done some conceptual design with Joe's 2006 design as the bench mark see the attached pictures, they only depict the side motion rails and the bottom torsion box.

Any input or thoughts on this project from anyone's past experience would be great.

Thanks
Mitch

[Senna]

As this will be a first machine... by attempting to simplify a proven design you are now introducing a large number of variables. The proven design is now an experimental one as to form, function, and materials.

Your conceptual drawing shows a bearing design that has linear tracking in only one axis. Your design will have an ability to run on the angle rails but without a secondary bearing system 90 degrees out to run on the vertical leg of the angle... skewing of the gantry is an absolute certainty.

Aluminum is not the best choice of materials as a linear rail... the hardened bearings will wear the aluminum out in short order.

Senna

[ger21]

Build it the way Joe designed it. It's not that complicated, and you'll know it'll work great when it's done.

[mitch_1]

Thanks Gerry and Senna I appreciate it