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  1. #31
    I had considered making it so that I can bolt the Z axis to the Y axis at different heights which, if I understand you correctly, would have the same effect as your idea. I don't like this idea so much since it means I've got to zero the axis to the part multiple times. From my experience with the smaller blades this is definitely not something I want to be doing.


    Earlier in this thread I asked about drilling holes in the standard round 20mm rail to enable me to add supports. 'routercnc' said that this could stress the rails causing them to be deformed. Is this view shared by others? Not to say routercnc is wrong, I just want to be sure that this option isn't viable before forgetting it. If I used the adjustable bearings then any slight imperfection shouldn't be too big an issue?

  2. #32
    Hi Jonathan,

    Great project you have there, interesting stuff.

    There's no easy way to commit to an own design, and you'll no doubt end up tweaking whatever you make anyway. Making these CNC machines is a mix of previous experience, guesswork, copying parts of existing designs, understanding forces, making calculations, and fabrication skill. You've obviously thought about the problem, the risks, and the compromises, so it's probably time to give it a go.

    My concern on drilling the hardened rails is that I don't know if they are stress relieved as part of the hardening process. If not then drilling a hole may allow the stresses contained inside to distort the rail. The bearings won't help you to 'make it straight again' between the span. But I'm really interested in a second opinion on this as well. I'm going to post this question seperately to put it to a wider audience.
    Building a CNC machine to make a better one since 2010 . . .
    MK1 (1st photo), MK2, MK3, MK4

  3. #33
    Quote Originally Posted by routercnc View Post
    There's no easy way to commit to an own design, and you'll no doubt end up tweaking whatever you make anyway. Making these CNC machines is a mix of previous experience, guesswork, copying parts of existing designs, understanding forces, making calculations, and fabrication skill. You've obviously thought about the problem, the risks, and the compromises, so it's probably time to give it a go.
    Yes I tend to agree. I think I'll wait a bit to see the what the conclusion is on drilling these rails first. Is there any loss in buying the rails and open bearings and if the drilling doesn't work still using the open bearings unsupported?

    If I do go down this route which bearings are a better bet...the adjustable or fixed ones?

    I could always support the rails underneath without actually fixing them (hmm loctite!?). That would at least stop them deflecting in one direction.

  4. #34
    Quote Originally Posted by Jonathan View Post
    Here's my latest plan for the Z-axis:
    How about putting the bearings either side of the centre rail support? That way you increase stiffness but still get reasonable travel.

  5. #35
    Quote Originally Posted by FatFreddie View Post
    How about putting the bearings either side of the centre rail support? That way you increase stiffness but still get reasonable travel.
    I think that would increase the length of the rails too much. Either way I've just found this on eBay, don't know how I missed it before:
    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...id=p2759.l1259

    I've emailed the seller to list 600mm - that should be cheap enough :)

  6. #36
    Ross77's Avatar
    Lives in Devon, United Kingdom. Last Activity: 2 Weeks Ago Has been a member for 9-10 years. Has a total post count of 759. Received thanks 27 times, giving thanks to others 52 times.
    The postage is the same as the product..........£120 would get you a nice linear rail system from gary at zapp or if you are patient then wait for S/H linear rails not unsupported round rail crap for that price....
    Last edited by Ross77; 22-08-2010 at 09:03 PM.

  7. #37
    I bought my 300mm Z axis profile rails, and my 700mm Y axis profile rails from Korea. FA system:
    http://stores.ebay.co.uk/FA-SYSTEM_L...34Q2ec0Q2em322
    And very pleased with them. Wouldn't contemplate buying these things new because of the price. Remember to allow for import tax, handling etc. and a 2-3week wait if you go down this route. I got lucky on the 700mm rails (import wise), but the 300mm rails cost around £20 for import etc.

    If you go with open bearings on an unsupported rail (or supported) remember that under certain load conditions they will 'open up' to some degree. Thanks to Ross for pointing out that obvious fact to me some time ago! There's alot to think about, or blissfully ignore!
    Building a CNC machine to make a better one since 2010 . . .
    MK1 (1st photo), MK2, MK3, MK4

  8. #38
    Jonathan

    I used unsupported rail on my build but it is 30mm in diameter, i wanted to go for the truck type and profile but cost was a factor. If i could i would have gone for this option. At some point i will change it to accommodate it but not now. My advise is if you can stretch go for the right thing in the first place. It will save in the long run. I have another use for my parts at a later date so that is a saving for me and my design allows for that change as an upgrade. IT could cost you double by skimping because if it does not work out then those parts are wasted?
    If the nagging gets really bad......Get a bigger shed:naughty:

  9. #39
    Quote Originally Posted by Ross77 View Post
    The postage is the same as the product..........£120 would get you a nice linear rail system from gary at zapp or if you are patient then wait for S/H linear rails not supported round rail crap for that price....
    Is gary going to stock NSK SH rails then or have I misinterpereted the 'S/H'?

    I sent a message to the seller and got this:

    Dear Jonathan,
    2 SBR16-600mm supported rails +4 blocks:
    92 usd
    Air shipping cost is included.
    ===============
    2 SBR20-600mm supported rails +4 blocks
    109 usd
    Air shippping cost is included.
    Thanks!
    Chai
    So that's £70 for the 20mm or £60 for the 16mm. I may as well get the 20mm for the sake of £10. Are you saying these rails wont be any good quality? They're the same part numbers and dimensions as the ones at Zapp...they look the same as far as I can tell.

    I've just looked at the 'HGR20' profile rail from Zapp. It comes to £129 for 2x600mm rails and only two blocks. I simply cannot afford to spend that much on rails!

    Quote Originally Posted by routercnc View Post
    I bought my 300mm Z axis profile rails, and my 700mm Y axis profile rails from Korea. FA system:
    http://stores.ebay.co.uk/FA-SYSTEM_L...34Q2ec0Q2em322
    And very pleased with them. Wouldn't contemplate buying these things new because of the price.
    There's a good set of 590mm listed, but still £135 plus the tax is too much. I don't wish to sound as if I'm neglecting all your good ideas purely due to cost, it's just even spending £70 on the Z-axis is a bit much for me but I can see that it's worth it to get supported rail!

    Quote Originally Posted by routercnc View Post
    If you go with open bearings on an unsupported rail (or supported) remember that under certain load conditions they will 'open up' to some degree. Thanks to Ross for pointing out that obvious fact to me some time ago! There's alot to think about, or blissfully ignore!
    I see, thanks for pointing that out to me! I'm still interested in the drilling option but it hardly seems worth it for the Z-axis now.

    If I decided to use the supported round rail for the Y axis (or just round rail supported with the holes etc) is 16mm going to be sufficient or should I go for 20mm?

    Also, how to I work out the optimal spacing for the rails on the Y axis? Is the torque from the Y screw a significant factor here since that would suggest I should put the rails close together?

    Thanks again for all the advice - there certainly is a lot to think about!!
    Last edited by Jonathan; 22-08-2010 at 11:24 AM.

  10. #40
    2e0poz

    Yes I'm in the same situation with regards to cost. The profile rails are roughly twice as much as the 20mm supported rails.
    Surely the supported rails mounted on a 15mm are not going to bend much at all? I'm well within the 860N load rating of a single bearing.

    The Z-axis assembly will weigh roughly 13kg.

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