Hey,
Just recently I started looking into building a CNC machine so that I can route wood/aluminum. After looking at all the other types of CNC machine I really like the design concepts of Momus (Mostly the sunken bed with little to no vertical gantry). Now I personally would like to build my own design (I like designing/building things) and take concepts I like from various machines. Below are the questions I hope some of you can answer.
1. I plan to make mine to be able to efficiently cut 4' x 4' anything I should be worried about with flex in the gantry? Read on another post doing a 2 motor setup for the X is mandatory for these size
2. I would like to use Linear Support Rails for X,Y (SBR20) and Z (SBR16) which Momus doesn't use is there any advantage/disadvantage to this? I'm thinking on doing 2 sets of rails for the X with 2 Motor / 2 Ball Screw Setup (1 per side), 1 set for the Y and 1 Set for the Z
3. I would prefer the load on the support rails to be on the top so I was thinking on making my Y axis mounted on a horizontal plate (like the X axis) instead on a vertical one. If this going to be an issue? I would counter balance the spindle mount on the other side of the Y axis probably with a block of aluminum/steel
4. I plan to make this out of aluminum plates (probably 3/4" think) any foreseen issues with this (the base/bed would be MDF/plywood, just the gantry/spindle mount would be aluminum)? I'm going to also try and cast my own plates anyone done anything like this? Thinking of using Petrobond sand for casting to get a nice finish.
I'll be making a CAD drawing on everything before purchasing to make sure I get something that will work and I'm happy with. Thanks for all your time and knowledge.
--James