Extend width of TM1/TM2 by 1ft

[schoobie]

Mike,
Can you guys at Torchmate extend the width of the TM1/TM2 to 7', instead of the 6' specified in the catalog? I need cutting capacity of 7'x20' for a simple, personal project.

[Mike@Torchmate]

Yes you can, I'd order the 5' wide gantry and just purchase an additional 2' section of gear rack. Extend the dimensions for the gantry/driveshaft and you have a 7' wide gantry.

[schoobie]

Thanks Mike, that is awesome!

And just out of curiosity, what would be the max width a TM1 could grow to?

[Mike@Torchmate]

I probably wouldn't go over 7' wide, the fact is that it's still a single drive with driveshaft for the X axis, which doesn't work well when you add in all the extra weight, and the driveshaft hanging in the air across a large span.

With a 6' + gantry I'd be upgrading the motors to 264 oz in steppers if they aren't already.