Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Belt drive for router table

Hi Roger,

I used 30mm HTD belt on my 8x4 plasma, looped over pulleys. It seems to work
quite well. It does whip very slightly but it seems to have little effect on
accuracy. As you say these belts can take ridiculous loads so a bit more
tension would probably eliminate the whipping. The biggest problem I found
was getting hold of a long enough belt. Of course, once the machine was
finished I found a source of belting on 30 metre rolls...

If I was building the machine again I think I would try using the belt as a
rack as it would simplify the design slightly (the plasma is only driven
from one side). It would pay to do some experiments to find a suitable
adhesive though, the last thing you want is the belt coming unstuck!

Les

> If you were going to cog belt drive the long axis on a 6 X 10 wood
> router would you:
> 1) Use the cog belt like a rack and a pulley as a pinion -or-
> 2) Use a looped belt driven from one end, joined at the gantry and
> looped over an idler at the far end.
>
> I like 2 as it is easy to drive both sides of the router with a
> single power source with a jack shaft but am afraid that the belt may
> start to whip. May not be an issue as Gates specs their belts for
> kilo tons...
>
> Opinions, experience, flames?
>
> Roger S