Quote Originally Posted by simonp View Post
We have a supplier of the Bosch Rexroth extrusion next door to our company: www.steelinnovations.co.uk
They do both the traditional welding and fabrication and the modular profile system, so you can get their advice on the best solution for your project.
I have to say though... the Rexroth profile system is genius! You can knock up fantastic looking machine guards and enclosures in a fraction of the time it takes to fabricate them out of box section and mesh.
IMHO it's also pretty damn good for building the machines themselves - just don't skimp on the brackets, and use the deflection calculators to size your profile correctly.

I'd also recommend (again) that you plan your machine and get everythig delivered cut to length - you can then errect accurate megastructures in minutes!

I think I'd also consider buying some of the T-slot cover strips for any part of the machine that's in the way of chips and coolant - you would be amazed how full they get!