Aluminum T slot Assistance

As it happens I am in full swing with a CNC tutorial series and I am using 40x20, 60x20 and 80x20 V rail extrusions which is one of the goto aluminium extrusions for home build CNC machines based on the OpenBuilds standard parts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xruKeUHLCC4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1uCW46pxK4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgkmq3th3ho

And I am currently editing the electronics footage and making my first cuts

posting your plans would be a good start so I can see your intent and I will be better able to help with your initial question

also openbuilds can be seen here http://www.openbuilds.com

So if you have questions, please ask away

regards

Peter

Nice videos Peter.

Enrico

Thanks

but as you probably noticed, not sponsored by E14 so I was unable to post to this community right now... but I will be bringing in parts of it for modeling and use etc

Peter

Openbuilds is a good idea, will give those videos a check out.

One thing to note is that quite often each profile of extrusion will come with it's own set of fixings corner pieces, brackets etc so you really need to know which ones you want o  use or at least keep it as generic as possible.

The V Rails of Open builds and the 8020 rails are of the same nominal dimentions for many of the parts

ie

80mm x 20mm

60mm x 20mm

40mm x 2mm

20mm x 20mm

the difference being that the v rails have a V in the slots to allow the wheels to run true, self centering and with more surface contact and does not require additional bearing surfaces to be added, at least not for lighter use solutions

Now if your going to make a large build like mine (1500mm x 1500mm) then you may need to double up on parts or add standard T 8020 based rails in say an 80x40 size for additional rigidity etc.

Thanks guys for all the info, Peter that is an awesome project, and those open builds look great. If I can find someone that sells open builds in Canada I'll definitely go with that. One question though; I've been looking at 80/20 and similar extrusions and a lot of them have things like these;Buy 80/20 Double Flange Linear Bearing | CPI Automation. Anyone got any opinion on those? They look easier to set up than bearings and wheels.

Ask and you shall receive

https://snbinc.ca/store/

Tell them I sent you , they help me out with sponsoring product for tutorial projects etc so it will be nice for them to see it comming back to them

I hope to be heading out to their office this week to look at some new products they just got in, ill take the camera

There easier but not as accurate in the long run. the wheels and bearings will allow rapid and accurate travel over the rails without having much friction, that is part of why the open builds are so popular, for a small to medium test jig they may be ok, but for CNC work, nope.

Stick with bearings and wheels as a start and if you need more robustness go to linear bearings (Much more expensive though)