[cffellows]

Most if not all Z-Axis assemblies I've seen use round rods or linear rails for the slide. Just wondered if anyone had considered using a dovetail slides on the Z-Axis?

Attachment 255802

Seems a lot simpler and would allow the router spindle to be a lot closer to the gantry slide assembly.

Chuck

[ckovacs]

Chuck take a look at the joes hybrid. It uses v bearings to do what you want.

[pippin88]

The main thing that limits getting the spindle closer is in fact ballscrews - having quite large nuts.

[cffellows]

The main thing that limits getting the spindle closer is in fact ballscrews - having quite large nuts.

That's a good point, I hadn't considered that... Might be one more reason to use acme or even a standard thread on the Z-Axis screw. I don't anticipate doing a lot of 3D contour work, more just 2 1/2D stuff which doesn't require a lot of Z-Axis agility.

Chuck