Raised carriage height

[merln]

I need to increase my z-axis travel from 6 inches to 12 inches. I also would like to have the rails even with the top of the table. This makes side loading of sheet goods in my shop easier onto the bot. Most folks increase the z height by raising the x-rails by adding extenders under the rails. Has anyone raised the carriage itself by adding extenders to the end assembly where the steppers attach rather than raising the rails? Has anyone built a new carriage that has a canilevered z-axis in front of the rails rather than between the rails of the carriage? Any info or pictures would help.

[Brady Watson]

www.bradywatson.com (http://www.bradywatson.com)

[merln]

Brady,
Thanks for the pictures. Have you had any issues with sideways movement or "jumping" the track? I think this solution is very doable.
Bill

[Brady Watson]

No...unless I do something stupid like try to beat the gantry speed while my screw gun is locked into a square drive screw and I can't move fast enough


It stays square after you tack weld it...even after you derail it and put it back on. Make sure that it IS square throughout the welding process.

The riser is 3/8" wall 2X3 mild & the unistrut replacements are 1/8" wall 2.5X1.5 mild. It worked out pretty well for stiffness & made a noticeable difference in cut quality on things like v-carving where slop degrades the cut. The Y-car was set to get a 3/16" plate welded to the 2 3X3 angles, but I didn't get there yet.

-B

[rookie432]

Brady,

That mention of the gantry /screw race is funny. I thought I was the only one to do that. HAHA