Here’s the thing though: the main value of a vertical CNC is in space conservation. If you’re looking for a micro-CNC, is there really a need for a vertical CNC at all anymore? If not, then something like an OpenBuilds MiniMill would suffice, no?
I’m not trying to stray off topic, merely pointing out Maslow’s strength lies in large-size CNC without requiring a large horizontal shop space.
Yup,
I did a little research and came across this:
Not sure how feasible this is, But it looks interesting enough.
“Polar kinematics”
thats another, one arm option…
that’s one strength, there are others (ability to use cheaper motors, not
needing precision rails)
now, as you get smaller, these matter less (smaller means lighter, so motors get
cheaper, you don’t need long lengths of precision rails, etc)
it all depends on how small you want to get.
doing a 2’x2’ machine, it’s probably still worth the maslow approach
doing a 1’x1’ machine, it’s probably not.
You might be able to adapt a pantograph mechanism like this one
Polar kinematics could work. I’ve seen people build such things (or at least in
the process of building them 
fixed length arms, variable angles, the math isn’t too bad.
Like Bart’s Bot?
http://www.buildlog.net/blog/2017/08/a-polar-pre-processor-for-the-pen-bot-written-in-python/
Yes thats about the same as this gadget:
Would be cool to scale thatone up.
Hmm. I thought the main value of a vertical CNC was cost.
Asking why one would want to go very small with the Maslow is definitely on topic. Keep asking good questions!
this is what I had in mind, but then vertical, but now I see that this still has the issue of needing a bearing around the actual tool tip. But maybe someone else can see a way around that.
Another issue with this is that the whole thing sits in front of the workspace.
But for a ultra small machine this kind of construction could be just right…
To bring idea’s together, i’d like to add this ER11 chuck on a BLDC outrunner motor idea. Like mentioned in this theread:
AFAIK another modern alternative design, Shaper Origin cnc -handheld router with computer vission corrected router bit track uses this double hand kinematics to compensate the imperfections of human hand movements.
I have a little doubt about the longevity of this (double handed, not usual x-y or triangulation like Maslow) mechanism, even at the usd2300+ price for high tech device. https://www.jeremyblum.com/2018/06/03/ifixit/
That’s not the biggest issue with the Shaper Origin, though. Most people who bought one are discovering how tedious and tiring it is to push the router around, manually following the path.
