going for a 4x4 table build

[marbles]

Afternoon folks,

I'm building a 4x4 cnc at the moment, mostly to cut foam. Due to budget am using t5 belt and tensioners for X axis, possibly also for Y. My question is really about the z axis.

On MYCNCUK forum i'm persuaded NOT to use rack and pinion for the Z axis but ballscrew instead. I can see it may have a greater resolution but I see that folk at Mechmate forum are using rack and pinion for Z. R&P is cheaper, any reason why not to use it?

Any thoughts greatly received

[marbles]

Hi there,

just posted a question about about R&P versus ballscrew on the z slide part of the forum.

I'm making a 4x4 table with a drop centred table to do deep axis cutting of foam and light materials.

Using vgroove bearings and steel strip for linears,
t5 belt drives for x and y axis
4 x nema 24 and gecko 540
linux and Mach software.

Have a workshop and not bad at making things work, looking forward to getting the cnc started and working. Not as yet got Mechmate plans but I like its flexibilty a lot and as i'm also using mild steel for everything its similar.

Onwards...

[MetalHead]

Welcome to the team !!!

[southernduckie]

Hi I know from my current situation (building at the moment) that i am going with R&P because i have it left over form the other axis (it will cost nothing) and it seems to work i can''t think of any reason not to use it. If your worried about resolution add a belt reduction to it later your MM can help you with that

[smreish]

I personally have used a 48" long z-slide with a proper counter balance assembly driven by an OM 7.2:1 Nema 34 motor on my MM for foam cutting. Never an issue with R&P - ever.
Visit MM #5 in the #400 post part of the thread for pictures.

http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showt...&postcount=471

http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showt...&postcount=446