I mentioned in my previous post that, after installing the z-table, the air assist nozzle proved to be too long and ran into the frame of the table. Though, there was already a problem with the length; the gap between the tip and the work surface was too small. The close proximity allowed loose bits that popped out (which also happened more with the air blasting out so close to the cut) to be pinched, which would stall the gantry. So, with two good reasons to remake it I pulled a piece of aluminum out of the scrap bin and put it in the chuck of my lathe.
The last nozzle I made to have the tip about a 1/4″ above the focal length; the new one is about an inch. The airflowis less concentrated on the piece, but after a few test cuts it does seem to still be quite sufficient.
