[alan_3301]

I have a 30mm steel table top about 55" x 38", that is never used for anything, so I started playing around with a mill design that is built of steel plate.
I don't really have any hard specs on how big or heavy I want it, but I am designing it large, and will scale it down to be reasonable, and to fit in the stock I have.
The steel was essentially free, so that is the only reason this project may be possible for me. I would hope the entire project would come in less than $5k, we'll see how that goes.
Waterjet cutting will probably be the biggest cost, besides motors and electronics. I designed in hiwin rails and blocks, but will be on the lookout for alternatives.
I'm sure the design will change a lot before I am finished.
I'm not sure on what kind of spindle to pick, I've been looking at the tormach spindle head.

Right now the travel is around 23" x 8" x 11.5" and estimated to weigh atleast 600lbs for the plates. The table is 8" x 34"
I already have a router built, and a lathe in progress, so this probably won't get started for a long time.

Let me know what you all think!

Attachment 253570 Attachment 253568
Attachment 253572 Attachment 253574

[veteq]

The design is torsional wise very weak, the crossection of the y and z axis are u-shaped.
The u-shape is not good for any construction that`s loaded with torsional forces.
Make a back and bottom plate for the z and y axis crossection and you are fine, with this plates you make a box crossection.

[pippin88]

RHS would be much stiffer