I have made a start on a CNC router table, it is about 2 metres long (X axis) and almost a metre wide (Y axis), I have not finalized the Z (vertical) axis.
The base is a MDF box, the X axis movement will be via two roller chains (ex garage door openers) driven by a geared down Fisher and Paykel washing machine motor operating in stepper mode. The Y axis will be screw and nut powered by another F&P motor. The Z axis will also be via screw and nut and a 'conventional' stepper motor.
For slides I am using skateboard bearings running on steel tracks. The gantry structure is rectangular hollow section steel.
This is my first experience of this sort of project and I do not know how well it will perform however I will be somewhat disheartened if it cannot at least cut out sign boards etc and if I am optimistic it may be able to do a bit of engraving , maybe even rather coarse scale circuit boards.
I will have a couple of different sized routers for the spindle drive and might try to build a better quality spindle depending on how successful the main structure proves to be.
Right now, I have the base box built, on casters and steel reinforced. The X slides are working well and the basic gantry frame is in place. I have made the 40:1 worm gear reduction for the X axis drive. Now I am trying to work out the best design for the 'Z' slide.
John
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