Questions on those IGUS linear bearings...
1) Do chips and dust falling in the groove cause problems?
2) I was considering mounting the rails on the movable platform on my Z axis - opposite of what you have - with the bearings themselves fixed to the Y axis.
I have all my parts on hand now and ready for the final design and then assembly process. I am using the IGUS N27s too and am considering a moving gantry design with the rails underneath and protected from chips falling down. I have 24" X, 18"Y and 12"Z rails for a final machining volume of around 18"x12"x3". I'll post some designs for feedback later this weekend.
I just started evaluating CAD software on XP and am currently trying TurboCAD 9 (although I will probably buy the 7.1 version on ebay). I am a long time Mac user but there just isn't an affordable and decent CAD app for OSX. Not to mention the interface to the stepper controller.
Reelsmith, Angling Historian, and Author of "The Reelsmith's Primer"
www.EclecticAngler.com | www.ReelLinesPress.com