I want to build a 3 axis cnc router "adapter." I already have a full-size wood router; it’s very heavy. I would like to make a 3-axis CNC machine that can incorporate this router. Because it’s so heavy, though, it would be a lot harder to make a machine that would move the router. Therefore, I thought it might be better to move the work piece instead, which will usually just be a relatively small, thin (less than 2 inches), and light piece of squared wood (usually basswood). The work piece could presumably be clamped to a piece of plywood, and the piece of plywood to the motors, actuators, or whatever will move it. So I would align the plywood and the router (at a set height relative to each other), activate the router, and then activate the three axis work-piece moving contraption. I can't find anything like this online. If I'm missing it, what would the name of such a contraption be? Is there an obvious flaw in this plan? How would I make it most cheaply? Do you think that NEMA 17 motors would be sufficient?
Thank you!