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I would rather not name the machine, but it's well built and heavy duty. The controller is Fanuc.

I'm also wondering if we go to Alphacam for the post if it will be right the first time, or at...

Thanks burdickjp! What have you found is most desirable, if the IK is done in the CAM or the controller? (Ours is done in the controller)

Our company purchased a 5 axis router which also has a rotary axis. The manufacturer (not AlphaCam) supplied the posts and it's been months and we're still working out bugs that make the machine...

Okay, thanks for the help Mactec54!

I have a lathe with a PC, a dongle and some proprietary software that I like to replace with a laptop and Mach3 software. (USB if possible but serial cable is okay too.) Is anyone familiar enough...

Here's another possible consideration...the images are the design for the next one. Would the same motors be large enough to use for this one? It's a pretty large table. (68" X 120") I might consider...

Is this a good choice? (size, supplier etc.) I'm not very confident in my calculations:) I'm thinking of using the large motor for the X axis (R/P) and the smaller motors for the Y and Z.
X3 CNC...

Thanks for the advice, it helps a lot! I'll check out the link and post what I find out.

The machine is just a quick design intended to get us by until a full size version with more capabilities...

I hope this is the right place to post this...The machine will eventually be used for production, but is still a diy...

I need some advice now that I'm ready for motors. What size motors? Steppers...

Thanks for the advice guys, I've been weighing the pros and cons. Multiple parts will get the jobs done faster, but then again, if I can set the machine up to cut a lot of parts one at a time and...

Lol, you make it sound so simple, but you might be on to something. I could extend the Y rails out some and then I would only have to change the Z assembly over to cut the wide stuff. Seems like a...

Thanks Gerry, and you're right, the spindles are about 8" apart and it will only cut about a 36" wide part. I thought about making it like this image at first so I would be able to remove the...

Yes, up to 3 parts at a time. The machine will be used mainly for cutting decorative milling in the blocks of stair parts and also occasionally cutting brackets out of plywood, (All light duty work)...

Am I ready to get material prices?

This is the third and hopefully final design, but I'm prepared if I need to make more changes, so let me have it.

I added the multiple routers per the...

I like this idea. I would be interested in seeing what diy design you come up with for the pods. Will they be similar to the nemi pods?

That makes sense eloid, but I have a couple questions. Bear with my ignorance.

The motors with the 5.5 ratio are much larger motors so that's why I first thought to use them for the X axis. Would...

Ah, I see. Thanks for the tip eloid...and all the help so far.

OK, here's where I show how little I know. Here are the specs on the servos I have and where I plan to use them. I assume they are...

Thanks eloid, I don't think we need to be able to take the table apart. In the unlikely event we ever move, the router table will be one of the easier machines to move. We could just pick it up from...

Thanks eloid, I like it! I added one additional brace at the bottom.

Well, here's where I'm at so far.

I made the changes to the gantry. Now I have the travel from one edge of the plywood to the other, and the X bearings have a little more separation. I like how...

Thanks eloid, I have timing gears and belts with the motors I will be using so I can probably just use those. I will get the specs from the motors and gear ratios next time I'm at the shop. I won't...

Thanks for the comment Scott!

I'm not frustrated at all. I appreciate all the help I'm getting here and I know all of this will be worth it in the end. Now if I was to just start building and end...

I have one question before I redesign the gantry. Is it ok to use direct drive for the R/P? I've seen it done before but I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not. If I used direct drive with the ball...

@Phife, Thanks for the tips. One of the things I planned on doing is redesigning the uprights to bring the spindle closer to center. The table is long enough now so there is enough travel, but the...

Our maintenance person will probably do the welding. I'm afraid it might break the budget if we had to have it outsourced.

By the way, here is what I have so far. I still need to do some tweaking...

Thanks guys, I think I have some direction for the next set of changes. I will update again.

Some more good advice eloid!

The end stops are just for safety. I like the idea of moving the gantry supports to the rear to allow the spindle to reach the end of the table. I will plan on doing...

Thanks for the clarification Phife. We won't be doing a lot of panel work but we will be occasionally cutting small parts out of sheets of plywood so I guess I can use a piece of sacrificial plywood...

Eloid, I think the extra support is a great idea. I also like the R/P idea for the Y axis.

For milling the edge of parts, couldn't I just clamp the work piece in the center of the table and...

Thanks for the comments Phife! I feel like I'm getting close to a final design.

I made the gantry heavy to accomadate the extra Z travel, but maybe I could lighten it up a bit and still be ok. I...