What's the best way to drive the gantry?

[Danno]

I see most machines use a rack and pinion, but I thought about using a cogged timming belt. This way I could mount the drive motors on the plasma table and keep the gantry a little lighter.
I was recently looking at another build, and I'm now thinking of using a #35 chain and sprockets. What do you think of this approach?
Chains and sprocket are a lot cheaper than belts and pulleys too.
Dan
Welcome to www.dantechfabricating.com

[mike2768]

Hi there, I'm just finishing a cnc plasma build using #25 chain and sprockets. I must say they are very smooth running. You can check out my machine on youtube do a search for mike2768. I had mine this past weekend running at its max of 2200 ipm and you know even at that speed it runs smooth. Here's a link of a few pictures before i finished it.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/plasma...ter_build.html

[Danno]

Very nice Mike !!
The more research I'm doing, the more I think that chain is the way to go.
Did you use it on the X axis also?
BTW, where in Ontario are you located ?
Dan
Welcome to www.dantechfabricating.com

[mike2768]

Yes i used it on both the X and Y axis. I live about an hour north of Toronto. Where are you located?

Mike

[Danno]

I live an hour East. Newcastle