Thread: Linear track needed

The cheapest linear rail is the type used in a sliding compound mitre saw.
If you can change your design to have two rails then maybe these will work.

If not then a single square rail and one or two trucks like this might work.

You might be able to use a quality drawer runner of the type with ball bearings.

Ingress of dust or swarf is a problem with any rail even though the first two examples have silicone seals between the trucks and rail. Try to incorporate a dust cover in the design which can be a bit of folded galvo sheet or a more elegant solution would be to make some bellows - plans are on the net.

BST Automation on aliexpress sell linear profile bearings at decent prices (hiwin and their own brand). These types of rails are vastly superior to any other if precision is required.

Thanks Guys.
I don't think i have the space for twin round rails. I have to work to existing linishers which means i need to make it fit! The square rail may work, and from BST i could do them for under $100 each which is what i want to stick to. The makerslide 500mm track and carriage cost me $68 or so....

Can the carriages be taken of the square rail and put back on at will? With an ally C section as a dust cover i can see that working, i think....

A version of this is what i am working on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTsWK2wH26Y

Cheers,
Ew

Ew,

The carriages on most profile rails can be taken off with great care and it's best done as little as possible. They have recirculating ball bearings that are held in only by a loose thin single wire 'cage' (when off the rail). I've had balls go flying when I took a carriage off a rail too vigorously. Easy to put the balls back in though (if you can find them...)

Thanks Pippin. That could be an issue.
I did just find this Aliexpress.com : Buy Free shipment JB2 metal flexible coupling for high end mechanical joint from Reliable couple ring suppliers on Jinan Golden Bridge Precision Machinery Co., Ltd.
I figured there must be something like this on ali i just had to find it....

Ew

That looks just like the stuff he's using. I suppose the only problem is whether it will have any play?

How precise is a linisher surface grinding attachment supposed to be? To me it seems it will always suffer because the whole of the abrasive does not traverse the whole of the work so a high point on the abrasive will leave a low point in the work.

I would hope the bearings could be adjusted (one on a cam?) so all the play could be eliminated.

Travis claims he can get .001" accuracy, he tracks the belt up and down for the final cut so no ridges are left....

I think any Knifemaker would be happy with .1mm or even more.

Ew

For anyone interested-The rails are made by Hiwan, the rail itself is US$56 a meter and a 3 bearing carriage is US$35. Plus shipping. Hopefully i will have some soon and i'll post what it is like.

Ew