[Mr.Nerd]

Has anyone ever used or heard anything about the linear rod/rails from VXB bearings? I was looking at the one below to use for a new router.

http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PRO...ystems/Kit7429

Thanks in advance!

[PLJack]

I didn't see any tolerance numbers but I would be concerned about grit getting at those bearings.

Very slick though, I like.

Jack

[practicalcnc]

I would not be that concerned about grit because of the rubber dust boots.

These bearings are made to be used in pairs. So. 300 bucks per axis..

[Mr.Nerd]

Im actually planning to buy three and cut them to use on all three axis because Im not building a very large maching. Then I would buy some bearings serperately to complete the other axis.

[kavic]

I'm designing a machine with a 45" x 24" cutting area. The rails and bearing would have cost me >$1000 USD. Buying from VBX, I can get the same thing for ~$650.00 USD.

Thanks

[Mr.Nerd]

Yep, the price very attractive for me especially because the rails are supported. I know it is possible to get some brand name linear slide rails off of ebay for an even lower price but then you lose the ability to design your machine they way you actually want to.

[MRM RCModels]

Just bought a set today for my machine. I'll report back when they get here. For anyone who is designing their CNC machine using CAD, these have the same dimentions as the Nordex brand rails and pillow block bearings #AGA-A8-4 and #AJA-A1-17. You can download the 3D CAD files direct from http://www.3dcontentcentral.com/3DCo...l/Default.aspx. It requires registration though (nuts).

MRM

[Mr.Nerd]

Thanks for the link. Do you know who actually makes the rails? If not do you suspect the orgin of these linear slides to be from Nordex?

[MRM RCModels]

Hard to say without physically seeing them in person. I'm almost positve that they are China made or maybe some out of tolerance Nordex batch.

[massajamesb]

I bought some of the open bearings (20mm) for my next machine, and was going to use 3/4" CRS as a rail, drilled and tapped every 6 inches. I have 3"x3/8" HR flat that is drilled to bolt to the rods.

I have now found that even though they ride very, very smooth on the CRS, I will have to buy hardened rails to prevent wear issues.
Luckily VXB sells predrilled and tapped rails in 5' sections.

[MRM RCModels]

Jusy got off the phone with UPS. I can go pick up the package tonight.

[Mr.Nerd]

I emailed VBX bearings and asked who makes the rails and this is the response I got.

" They were made specially for VXB, unfortunately, we don't carry any CAD files"

[MRM RCModels]

:violin:

I called and asked the same question. They responed like; CAD? CAD?....What is that?

Now I'm really thinking they are made in China by one of the larger (Nordex, THK, etc) sub-contrators. I'll see tonight.

[MRM RCModels]

First impression is pretty good. The rails are straight and the bearings have no play in the direction of travel. There is about 10 degrees of side-to-side play, but considering they will be mounted to fixed structures; this should not be a problem....I hope. For $150 it's a deal. I'll probably be getting another two sets for the machine I'm designing.

MRM

[Mr.Nerd]

Just so understand more clearly, do you mean the play as in the axis of rotation in the pic below? I guess Im hoping it is because 10 degrees of play in any other direction could cause a significant inaccuracy.

[MRM RCModels]

The play is only in the axis of rotation

[Mr.Nerd]

Thanks a lot for the information. It is good to know because I have almost finished designing a machine around them.

[MatD]

For what are you going to use your machine? These shafts look very interesting at this price, I am also considering buying them for my cnc but I'm not shure about the load they can handle. Maybe you could post a picture of the machine you are designing to see how you install the shafts.

greets

[Mr.Nerd]

Im not sure if you were asking me. But this is my machine in the "works."
Its close but not yet completed. My designing my machine for personal use and I plan to use it to cut parts out for radio controlled models and other stuff. I plan to cut ply wood, balsa wood, foam, fiber glass, maybe carbon fiber. From seeing other peoples results, im pretty sure it will cut aluminum fine (slowly). Id say the limiting factor on my machine is that Im planning to use acme precision rod and dumpstercnc nuts. I just dont need the quality of ballscrews yet. Its not a production machine so I will be taking fairly light cuts.

Btw I did not draw the spindle. I downloaded it from somewhere here.

[sprintfan]

I used VXB for all three axis building my machine. I have been running it for about a year with no problems. Accuracy is still perfect. Link to photo of my machine is here...

http://www.artsoftcontrols.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=14[/url]