Recently started the initial design process for a new 48" x 48" router. This will be mostly used for hardwoods with one or two aluminum cuts thrown in here and there.
My initial plans are to use Hiwin 20mm rails for the x and y axis and 15mm rails for the z axis. For drive mechanisms, I'm thinking R&P using cncrouterparts reduction drives for the X and Y.
the Z will be a 5mm ball screw of some sort. For a spindle I plan on using a 2.2k air cooled VFD setup. Motors will be either NEMA 23 or 34 steppers.
So here goes the first question. I'm torn between using 2x2x0.25 or 2x4x0.25 to construct the gantry.
The 2x2 pictured below weighs in at 117lbs and the 2x4 is 163lbs and I haven't added the left and right uprights with steppers yet.
Should I stick with the 2x2 or 2x4 design?
I'm not sure if the 2x2 design will be stiff enough but I'm confident that it will be light enough for the steppers to provide adequate acceleration.
If I go with the 2x4 design, will the steppers (23 or 34) be able to provide reasonable acceleration?
Thanks for your time.
Attachment 309474
Attachment 309476