Multiple gantry CNC

[jaco]

I know there exists large CNC’s with multiple gantry and spindles. It seems like this machines are only used to do multiples of the same object on the same time.

My thoughts for a DIY multiple gantry is to make it possible for two or three spindles to work on the same project to save time. Basically you will have multiple CNC machines on one table that can work on one or multiple projects at the same time.

Each gantry must have its own power supply, controller, stepper motors and spindle. They can share a common rail amongst the Y axis, but each must be driven with its own screws or belts.

You will have to tile you gcode correctly and very carefully to make sure the gantries don’t collide.

Any thoughts?

[Goliathan]

I'm just getting into CNC machining myself so I'm by no means an expert, but I suspect that the level of complexity would make it prohibitive if you were doing anything other than making exact copies of the same part. The spindles could never collide or even cross each other's work area boundaries, severely restricting the movement of both of them.

Even the thought of generating G-Code for this gives me the cold sweats.

Anything is possible, though, and it sure sounds like an interesting thought experiment. I just wonder if it's basically a "pregnant woman" problem... where just because one woman can have a baby in nine months doesn't mean nine women can have a baby in one month.