Clamping & dust collection on wallmounted infinity CNC

[Aiph5u (Aiph5u (not affiliated with Onefinity))]

Hey Paul,

@PaulBraun

Yes, I have it working in my shop.

I just added clear pvc on a retractable window shade to help with the downdraft and it works beautifully.

How long are you running it this way?

I ask because even in “normal” orientation, the ball screws are not sealed on this machine, and if you are not able to catch all wood dust very effectively, wood dust will accumulate in the ball nuts.

@Aiph5u

unfortunately, oiled mechanics like the ball screws of the Onefinity CNC are totally incompatible with wood dust. It mixes with oil and slowly bakes a oil-wood dust mix into the ball screw which will at some point block the machine, as shown here:

@OnefinityCNC

See this FAQ: Troubleshooting: Rail is getting hung, stuck, or out of alignment

Therefore in the industry, CNCs for milling wood have their mechanics enclosed with bellow covers, as you can see e.g. here, but can also be found on some on hobbyist machines.

Image: Bellows covers on the ball screws on T-Rex CNC Mill