Work area criteria

The maximum work area in X and Y will be a compromise between my maximum machine size and available materials.

The maximum machine size will be dictated by a the size of a typical small single car garage with some room to move around the machine. A typical small garage could be considered to be 2400 x 4900 mm.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garage_%28residential%29

The machine is being situated within a four car garage. With one quarter being dedicated to the a workshop area situating this machine as well as a work bench and other tools/equipment.

Thus the machine should have a maximum foot print of 2000x2000mm. Floor to ceiling height in this area is 2600mm. Thus the machine should be no more than 2000mm tall to not block the lights within the workshop.

With MDF being the primary material being machined the available sizes dictate the working area to some extent. MDF is readily available in sizes of 1220x1220mm in thicknesses up to 25mm.

However for this machine it needs to be able to machine tooling foam this is readily available in sheets up to 100mm in thickness with width and length small then that of MDF.

(Cutting power and force calculations are not going to be considered for this material as it requires the same cutter speed as MDF and is much easier to machine due to its low density)