Crazy idea? Support sled from ceiling to keep Maslow level even if it goes near the edge of the surface

Hardware Frame
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I posted this on the community update, but figured it would get more views here.

This might sound insane, but what if there was some track or pulley system we could attach to the ceiling that kept the Maslow level NO MATTER WHAT ? I could envision several designs, like with an XY rail system, and 4 cables hanging down to evenly support the maslow. Or perhaps 4 pulleys in each corner, attached to the ceiling, in such a way that they self-balance, (I’d have to do some deeper thinking on that,) that by the sheer location it keeps the sum of angles the same. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about side-support material for the sled.

Rope/string/cables might not work, but threaded rod might.

1 Like
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You could certainly try and come up with something. I’m assuming you are referring to horizontal layout.

I would think a simpler idea might be pair of gantry arms on say rollers that the sled is then mounted to. Sort of making it a more traditional xy CNC.

But don’t let me talk you out of trying something different. Maybe you have something…

Dano

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Easiest would be to add a skirt around the edges that’s the same height as the workpiece.

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For sure – just trying to figure out a way that a skirt won’t be necessary every time. Kind of annoying.

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Steven wrote:

For sure – just trying to figure out a way that a skirt won’t be necessary
every time. Kind of annoying.

A skirt around your workpiece will be FAR less hassle than suspending it and
making sure that it stays the correct height as it moves around.

David Lang

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The main annoyance is having dozens of different skirting material thicknesses, assuming you cut anything besides 3/4 plywood or mdf. Also, how are y’all attaching the skirting to the ground? Two sided tape?

Either way yeah it might be a non-starter.

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Steven wrote:

The main annoyance is having dozens of different skirting material
thicknesses, assuming you cut anything besides 3/4 plywood or mdf. Also, how
are y’all attaching the skirting to the ground? Two sided tape?

double sided tape works.

usually the skirting starts off as other material you will use later or the
leftovers from prior cuts. how many different thicnesses of material do you use
on a given project?

David Lang

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Yeah if you’re using primarily the same materials, I suppose the skirting works fine. You never have it hang up on the skirting?

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no more than it would hang up where you have made a cut before and now have to
pass over it. The edge of the sled is curved to avoid catching on your own cuts
and the transition to the skirt is frequently smoother than the tearout from a
cut you just made.

David Lang

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Makes sense