[r1kkie]

Hi!
Im a mechanical engineering student i Sweden, working on a school project of building a cnc-router. The goal is that it should be able to cut aluminum as the hardest material.
I have no idea of what the budget are and I am only in charge of the construction and motors.
I quote teacher:
"At this point I tend to say that I'm not interested in something special because I won t use it as a high volume production machine. So my philosophy is that the machine need enough power to cut "metals"...and at the same time I want to keep the cost down as much as possible...meaning small motors, linear guides ball screw etc"

I am supposed to use aluminum profile that exist in the school.
In my working design i have used 40x40 and 40x80mm profiles.

The ball-screws are not yet calculated, just sits there to see how it will be assembled. Im thinking about moving the table in the x direction and the spindle moves in the y and z axis.
All screws and stuff like that is not yet put in the cad model.
Dimension so far so you can see the size of it.
High: 500mm
Width of gantry: 780mm
Length: 1500mm
Z-axis back support plate: 300mm

Still looking at some different kind o linear guidelines due to those that are in the picture is kind of expensive, yet they are the most powerful as far as i know.

My concern is if the construction is stiff enough to be able to cut aluminum?
Have powerful bearing you need to hold for the cutting force? Would be nice to not over size them if not needed.

The work range should be at least 650x450x150mm.
Cuttingspeed (?) around 100m/min and optimal for aluminum cutting.
I got no experience in building a cnc-router.

I am interested in your thoughts and ideas as it appears you guys posses a lot of knowledge in this subject.
Anything I have missed and need to rethink?

Note: The design and redering pictures is made in Pro engineer.

Enjoy!