nifty mdf cnc i am building while waiting for parts for the other cnc router

[lunchtrayrider]

here are some pictures of an idea i had and as a result had to make. really there is no plan, i stare at it, make a part, stare at it, make a part, bolt together. repeat until done.

other main cnc i'm working on http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...668#post717668

feel free to ask any questions. hopefully i'll have this done before the weekend.

[martkrui]

That's a nifty design! Never thought of using the profile that way around
I'm curious how this design will handle axial forces but I love the "simplicity" of the design.
Still planning my own so taking this variant into consideration.

Doesn't the big slot in the side support make it flex or bend under the weight of the gantry ?

[lunchtrayrider]

yea the ability for flex is pretty bad. this is really an experiment. the slot allows the drive screw to be directly between the bearings so it doesn't twist the bearing carriage. really to solve the flex you can make the side rails bigger. there are some really tight tolerances with the cross over of the x and y drive screws. it will be more obvious as this gets more finished.

[guerd87]

Sorry for digging up an old thread, But I like the design and am interested in it. How did the machine end up performing? Any finished pics or plans?

[lunchtrayrider]

everything worked awesome, except the rails just weren't tall enough so it never got operational. too much flex so the rail carts just wouldn't roll right.