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Large Format V-Rail

Discussion in 'Concepts and Ideas' started by Austin Crouse, Mar 19, 2017.

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Poll closed Mar 29, 2017.
  1. 40x160 5-series

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  2. 40x160 8-series

    1 vote(s)
    33.3%
  3. 80x160 5-series

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  4. 80x160 8-series

    1 vote(s)
    33.3%
  5. Bolt on rail 8-series

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  6. Nothing

    1 vote(s)
    33.3%
  1. Austin Crouse

    Builder

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    Long time follower, first time poster.

    I am wanting to scale my CNC up to 4'x8' just as many others are and some have managed to do. I haven't been able to find an affordable solution for linear rail that will provide enough rigidity to handle heavy cuts.

    I designed a custom extrusion that is essentially a larger openbuilds rail. Would anyone ender be interested in ordering a couple meters for a heavy duty machine?

    I have a couple concepts I have been kicking around and wanted some feedback.

    Going from the current 5-series (M5 hardware) profiles to 8-series (M8 hardware) I would also need to find larger v-wheels and supporting hardware.

    I'd like to hear if anyone has experienced similar issues when trying to scale up. What do current solutions cost per inch?
     

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    Paul Stoller likes this.
  2. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

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    There's the alternative option of bolting the current V-slot system to a heavier structural member (square steel box section? Alu extrusion? etc) and thus gain rigidity, but keeping the compatibility of wheel and rail parts. This effectively uses V-slot as a linear component only, and offloads the structural function to another beam bolted to it?

    I did this a couple months back, in combination with press bent sheet metal - see GitHub - openhardwarecoza/OPHW-HW-OpenCNC-ZA: OPHW-HW-OpenCNC-ZA - check the renders of the V2, despite just using 20x20, we had a really rigid X axis with , if I recall off the top of my head, a 140mm spacing between the top and bottom wheels.
     
  3. Austin Crouse

    Builder

    Joined:
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    Very clean design! Who did you use for the low volume sheet metal parts? What made you decide to switch from linear ball bearings to the v slot rail?

    I am looking to do a machine that's larger than existing v slot extrusion lengths. I am concerned about butting two rails against each other. Going off your sheet metal idea, with a heavier gage sheet bent at a 45 degree angle, there would be a v rail profile on the top point.
     

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