Drawer guide axes was Re: It is easier to edit than create! was PCB Mill

Ballendo--

> Also
> remember that a drawer guide is made to be VERY flexible in one
> direction, while being reasonably stiff in the other. This is so

that

> the width of the opening (for the drawer) does not have to be exact.
>
> Knowing this, you can use blocks to eliminate the unwanted direction
> of motion; or use additional drawer guides at 90° to the first 2 so
> that each is eliminating the others' weakness.

Good point. I'll have to modify my sketches...

> Stick with a bridge design, as a gantry is a less stiff design to
> begin with; and you want to have as much stiffness as possible if

you

> are going to be successful with pcb work.

Is a bridge like a gantry in a fixed position? If so, then I misspoke
when I called it a gantry. Basically, I saw the Mini-Robo and said to
myself "Hey! That looks like it could make a printed circuit board!".

So I've been getting bits & pieces together so I can make one with a
12"x12"x3" envelope...

> Hope this helps.

It helps a good bit. Thanks!

> P.S. Dan Mauch had a design for a pcb DRILL published in Nuts and
> Volts magazine several years back. Back issues are available.

I'll have to check it out....

> A company called GENERAL makes heavy duty drawer guides for sliding
> pantries and rack cabinets. some have said they are better to use in
> this application.

I've already got my drawer slides. (I got the heftiest ones I could
find at Home Despot. They're pretty beefy, and have captured ball
bearings. They seem to be pretty good.)

--marco