everything that is possible with FluidNC should be possible with the Maslow. We
did find some incompatabilities, but I think those have been fixed now (and any
you run into will get fixed as they are reported)
personally, I discourage people from trying to add a gantry to the maslow, if
you want a gantry machine, you are better off building something with normal
kinematics, either cartesian like the lowrider, or a corexy system.
The Maslow uses cable-robot kinematics, which are very complicated compared to
cartesian/corexy machines, but it has the advantage of being smaller and simpler
to setup. IMHO, trying to put a maslow on a gantry ends up combining the
disadvantages of both systems.
having a belt around the base seems like it would be a magnet for dust, many
devices run dual Z steppers, so I donāt think you gain a lot by going to just
one. The added complexity of needing two idlers and the right belt length (and a
way to tension it as the belt stretches) isnāt simpler, and may not even be
cheaper, than the two steppers. I have lots of ideas for ways to alter the basic
maslow
Gotchaā¦ Iām just trying to figure out how to do everything in no spaceā¦ I love the Maslow for banging out panels, but Iāve seen some amazing things with high-relief carving (3d books, wavy flags, etc) and I donāt think the Maslow would like it due to all the wavyness. OTOH, I loved ālift router slide in sheetā from M1. OT4H, half of me wants to be able to clamp boards in edgewise and tell the router to make the dovetails (a la Shaper Origin, but ā¦ no tape!)
And I havenāt played with a LowRider and I loved my M1ā¦ and this seems like a brilliant step up.
Iāll also agree with you on the z steppersā¦ I just saw some complaints about sometimes getting off-kilter. Everything is a dust magnet hereā¦
There are some methods for getting those kinds of carves without a gantry.
I am also someone who wants to see about floating the maslow using some form of light gantry. I am specifically considering turning my maslow frame into a panel saw frame as well, and finding a way to mount the maslow in place of the saw. Would allow me to use the gantry when I wanted to and not use it when I donāt, while still being able to just stick the maslow on any frame, calibrate, and go.
I also worry about it introducing issues, but my thinking is that itās worth at least seeing what the end results look like. Even if it isnāt viable for cutting hard things, it would potentially be great for plotting and for carving foam, and at scales that just arenāt easily accessible with small gantry machines.
Sounds like you are suggesting mount the sled on a layer of rails or rollers while still using the existing belts and motors. A quick search and I found this as a startā¦
That is very similar to the design I had in mind, though not as robust.
Rails above and below the 4x8 work area, 9-10 ft long, preferably square metal tubing. A gantry similar to what you shared just now, and a tray that can freely travel up and down that gantry. Would either just use skateboard bearings directly, or also use skateboard wheels. The gantry is just to float and support the machine off the workpiece, the cables should still be able to ensure it gets to the right place as long as it moves easily enough, if the machine was calibrated with the gantry in the mix. I would mostly be concerned with keeping it from lifting during plunges. More-traditional linear rails would save me from that issue, but there are other options as well.
