How hard would it be to add a couple inches to the Z travel of the altmill?
This sounds quite challenging, a custom table with a lower bed area would be my approach
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I guess it depends on why you need the extra Z. Do you need more Z travel in a project or just need to mill the top of a thicker piece? If you just need to mill the top surface of a thicker piece then @MaxCanadaās suggestion would be the easiest way in my opinion.
On the other hand if you need to cut the whole depth of a thicker piece then you would need to modify the Z axis. Bear in mind that I am not an engineer but to do that I think you would need to make or have made a taller āZ plateā to accommodate longer linear bearings and ball screw. I have a LongMill and I doubt that I could cut the steel for the plate but I donāt know if the AltMill could. Youād want to research that to make sure you donāt damage your mill. Having a taller Z could introduce more flex in the machine due to the taller Z plate acting like a longer lever. This might be negligible as the AltMill seems like a sturdy machine but I donāt know for sure.
If you need to modify the Z axis the onshape files accessible from the AltMill resources pages might come in handy.
Like Max said āThis sounds quite challengingā if you need to modify the Z axis. How challenging would depend on your skill set. Like I said take my unprofessional thoughts on this for what they are!
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Thank you for the detailed reply. I want more travel. I 3d carve a lot of foam so no need for serious rigidity when higher. Iām sure itās more work than Iād want to do. Just would be great to cut more than I can now.
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Iām guessing youāve already looked into longer bits? If not, a lower table with a longer bit could be a solution. Otherwise, whatās mentioned above would be your solution, bigger side rail plates to move the gantry higher.
Using the files from on shape you might be able to get pcbway or sendcutsend to make the pieces for you.
What do you do now? Vectric vCarve has a slicing function so that you can slice your model in thinner sections.
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I stack slices. Would just like to stack less slices.
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You should be able to put risers under the mounting feet, but your limitation is Z-axis travel.