Thread: CNC design variations

when looking at many of the systems available, there seems to be a choice between a trim router or a low wattage spindle.
Is there an advantage of choosing a 400W spindle over a 720W Makita trimmer?
I note pippin88’s comment re using larger spindles eg.? 1.5/2.2kW and rigidity which is why I’ve been looking a a smaller router/spindle. If those who have these smaller cnc’s are using the larger spindles, have they encounter any rigidity problems?

I don't know the quality of the small spindles vs routers.

The 1.5kw/2.2kw spindles are much quieter and generally regarded as much better than a large router.

I only had a glance at those machines (on mobile so hard to look properly).

Any machine using V wheels is going to lack rigidity.
Whether that matters depends on what you are doing. Engraving? Probably not a big issue. Working in dense hardwood? You will likely notice the limitation

(I am coming at this from the point of view of someone who has been stuffing around with CNC routers for >10 years and built four different versions. My current machine is a 1250x675mm capacity that weighs about 400kg, made of steel.)

Would the use of linear rails such as those below improve rigidity?

SBR20-2200mm 2x Linear Rail Set 4x Bearing Block Grinding 20mm Shaft R





– Vevor AU

They are a bit better.

Square / profile rails (Hiwin, THK, etc) are a massive improvement.

Worth spending some weeks / months reading over at CNCZone / mycncuk

There is an upgrade kit called a queenbee that can be fitted to the workbee to upgrade it to linear rails - around $1000 for a 1000x1000 unit. There are some units with it already but the OZ ones seem exy at around $6500 kitted out. Makerstore in Melbourne is working on one called the Outback? It should be available in about a month but no pricing as yet.