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    Need your advice, V-Slot VS Linear Rail.

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    • Phaedruxundefined
      Phaedrux Moderator @A Former User
      last edited by

      @smece said in Need your advice, V-Slot VS Linear Rail.:

      huuuuuge

      😂 What's a few microns between friends.

      Z-Bot CoreXY Build | Thingiverse Profile

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • mrehorstdmdundefined
        mrehorstdmd
        last edited by

        Another advantage to linear guides is that their compact size makes it easier to enclose the printer if you want to. Usually you can just bolt some side panels to the printer's frame.

        The V-slot wheel carriages are running on the printer's frame, so an enclosure has to be built to enclose the whole thing.

        https://drmrehorst.blogspot.com/

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • yamanundefined
          yaman
          last edited by

          to to high quality Linear Rail , linear rail more rigid than V-solt
          V slot you need to maintain form time to time and the wheels need to change almost every 2 years

          deckingmanundefined 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • deckingmanundefined
            deckingman @yaman
            last edited by

            @yaman The rigidity of the linear rail depends on the rigidity of the member that it's bolted to. Likewise the rigidity of vslot depends on the size of the chosen profile. Changing wheels every 2 years is absolutely not necessary if they are tensioned correctly in the first place. Likewise adjusting them.

            I'll just reiterate that my machine with it's 5Kg plus of moving mass has run for thousands of hours with no adjustment or replacements and motion wise, it worked as well when it was demonstrated at the TCT show in 2017 as it did a couple of months ago in 2019.
            I'm not advocating one system over the other but there is a lot of misinformation about vslot in this thread. Ultimately the quality and reliability of both "conventional" linear guides and vslot linear guides is down to the quality of the components used, especially bearings, and also how each one is fitted and aligned.

            Ian
            https://somei3deas.wordpress.com/
            https://www.youtube.com/@deckingman

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            • DeltaConundefined
              DeltaCon
              last edited by

              I am not convinced about linear rail (as defined in the OT). I would go with what Deckingman says. I have read SO MUCH bad experiences with linear rail, especially if you want to go cheaper than the original HIWIN ones (and most of us do want that!).

              However I would like to bring these into the equation:
              72789141-5031-4ac3-9ea1-4e47502f17b5-image.png
              Look at the specs. they look very promising and are much cheaper!
              https://us.misumi-ec.com/vona2/detail/110302192160/?HissuCode=PLRH25-560

              Or how do we feel about these:
              7967c2ab-1976-47d8-b35b-17aad07d25f5-image.png
              Specifics at: https://www.exoslide.com/
              For 20x20, 20x40 and 40x40 available. But maybe not the cheapest solution.

              If you think trial and error is dangerous, try routine. That's even more so!

              deckingmanundefined A Former User? 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • deckingmanundefined
                deckingman @DeltaCon
                last edited by

                @DeltaCon .........and there is also Igus Drylin which is a route I might consider if ever I build another machine

                https://www.igus.co.uk/info/linear-guides-linear-guides?gclid=CjwKCAiArJjvBRACEiwA-Wiqq1sfcYmCtI7TcjO7DKYwwFN9BEaYZwQo7fdXNu5dHxfud7TCh26KgxoCO_MQAvD_BwE

                One thing that hasn't yet been mentioned is noise. Vslot (and Drylin) are practically silent. My massive CoreXYUVAB with all 6 axes running at high speed is quieter than my old Mendel used to be.

                Ian
                https://somei3deas.wordpress.com/
                https://www.youtube.com/@deckingman

                sonderzugundefined DeltaConundefined A Former User? 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • sonderzugundefined
                  sonderzug @deckingman
                  last edited by

                  @deckingman drylin is an interesting mention, but they have to be choosen wisely and the machine has to be properly designed to address the fact that you can't have gliding motion without play. It is possible though, and I've seen some stunning results from printers with drylin-everything.
                  They are practically silent as well.

                  My own printer, which hasn't been introduced here yet, runs on drylin W (square shape). It's silent (loudest noise comes from the fans, or the steppers when in spreadcycle mode), dust-proof (yes - I'm not using my machine enough, but the drylin rails don't care), but there is some play in the motion system which makes for not-perfect parts (round parts have flat spots). Had I chosen drylin W with the round shape, I could have picked bearing blocks with set screws to tension the gliding elements.

                  Drylin N is also widely used in printers, as a cheaper alternative.

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                  • DeltaConundefined
                    DeltaCon @deckingman
                    last edited by

                    @deckingman said in Need your advice, V-Slot VS Linear Rail.:

                    @DeltaCon .........and there is also Igus Drylin which is a route I might consider if ever I build another machine

                    That's an interesting addition indeed. Already any idea of which type would be to be preferred?

                    And wow... Interesting concept fo a delta printer 😉
                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyAkmN8WEes&feature=youtu.be

                    If you think trial and error is dangerous, try routine. That's even more so!

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • zaptaundefined
                      zapta
                      last edited by

                      Can a linear rail stand on its own as a X axis or does it need to be attached to an aluminum extrusion for extra strength?

                      (considering to upgrade my HEVO but thinking of the moving mass in Y direction).

                      fcwiltundefined deckingmanundefined DeltaConundefined A Former User? Danalundefined 5 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • fcwiltundefined
                        fcwilt @zapta
                        last edited by

                        @zapta said in Need your advice, V-Slot VS Linear Rail.:

                        Can a linear rail stand on its own as a X axis or does it need to be attached to an aluminum extrusion for extra strength?

                        (considering to upgrade my HEVO but thinking of the moving mass in Y direction).

                        I've seen folks do that but I wouldn't.

                        Frederick

                        Printers: a small Utilmaker style, a small CoreXY and a E3D MS/TC setup. Various hotends. Using Duet 3 hardware running 3.4.6

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • deckingmanundefined
                          deckingman @zapta
                          last edited by

                          @zapta said in Need your advice, V-Slot VS Linear Rail.:

                          Can a linear rail stand on its own as a X axis or does it need to be attached to an aluminum extrusion for extra strength?

                          (considering to upgrade my HEVO but thinking of the moving mass in Y direction).

                          That would depend on the length of the guide and the mass it has to carry or any other forces that might be applied, e.g. belt tension. I guess you might get away with it if the length was short and the mass was low but otherwise it is likely to deflect. Which brings me back to something I said earlier which is, if you have a frame member made from V slot such as Open Builds type and you want it to be a linear guide, do you add gantry plates and Delrin wheels, or do you bolt on another complete linear guide? I personally don't think there is a right or wrong way to do it and the choice largely comes down to other factors like cost, personal preference, what fits best in the space available, noise, etc etc.

                          Ian
                          https://somei3deas.wordpress.com/
                          https://www.youtube.com/@deckingman

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                          • DeltaConundefined
                            DeltaCon @zapta
                            last edited by

                            @zapta said in Need your advice, V-Slot VS Linear Rail.:

                            Can a linear rail stand on its own as a X axis or does it need to be attached to an aluminum extrusion for extra strength?

                            (considering to upgrade my HEVO but thinking of the moving mass in Y direction).

                            The RailCore designers have chosen to do exactly that, but that is also the reason the railcore design is limited to 300mm. Personally Iwould rather see an extrusion used.

                            If you think trial and error is dangerous, try routine. That's even more so!

                            Vetiundefined 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • Vetiundefined
                              Veti @DeltaCon
                              last edited by

                              linear rails are not meant to stand on its own. It might work if you take bigger ones (like mgn15).
                              but the recommendation is to mount them on something sturdy.

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                              • A Former User?
                                A Former User @DeltaCon
                                last edited by

                                @DeltaCon said in Need your advice, V-Slot VS Linear Rail.:

                                However I would like to bring these into the equation:
                                72789141-5031-4ac3-9ea1-4e47502f17b5-image.png
                                Look at the specs. they look very promising and are much cheaper!
                                https://us.misumi-ec.com/vona2/detail/110302192160/?HissuCode=PLRH25-560

                                Seen a huge laser engraver made with these and is crazy fast and precise .. no clue how much load they can take (on the negraver they only house a mirror) but without load they are precise ... pretty loud one might say but..

                                Or how do we feel about these:
                                7967c2ab-1976-47d8-b35b-17aad07d25f5-image.png
                                Specifics at: https://www.exoslide.com/
                                For 20x20, 20x40 and 40x40 available. But maybe not the cheapest solution.

                                I experimented with very similar solution some years ago, the problem I had is that aluminium deformed over time ... maybe it was too tight, dunno, but I gave up using it for 3d printers, I still use this type of linear guide for my touch screen human finger simulators 😄 (they carry only few grams and precision is not important, 1mm error is acceptable)

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                                • A Former User?
                                  A Former User @deckingman
                                  last edited by

                                  @deckingman said in Need your advice, V-Slot VS Linear Rail.:

                                  @DeltaCon .........and there is also Igus Drylin which is a route I might consider if ever I build another machine

                                  I allowed my selfe to believe drylin hype so I build a whole machine with drylin, both linear rails and rods+linear bearings... alu rails, alu rods, beautiful black alu, pre tensioned bearings..

                                  precision ... wow, it is precise, they do wear over time, but after ~2 years of printing (average 5h per day) I can see no ware on any of the drylin parts and from what I discussed with guy's that sold me all those parts, with the forces my machine is exerting they will last forever. and sound, they produce none... but

                                  • price, all parts for a relatively small (25x25x25cm) printer cost me a lot of money, like 3x more than original hiwin + local representative have huge margin and shipping + customs + fees is huge here so that's additionally a problem both for price and for availability... should not be a problem for everyone but for me that was huge issue
                                  • alignment, there really is no play here, aligning 2 12mm rods with high-quality linear bearings is kinda walk in a park, I can do it in no time with zero stress... hiwin original takes a bit of time but is not a big deal, you align them nicely... drylin rods, hours, hours, hours, stress, stress, I hated myself, the printer, everything .. and rails, drylin reails, took me days to properly align them .. just the final half-turn of the screw is enough to move it out of alignment and for them to start binding... now, you can, they say, leave them like that, binding, and they will "seat" themselves (grind the plastic) but I didn't want that so .. it can be a problem
                                  • even with perfect alignment the required force to move is many times greater that hiwin

                                  now, super pro, one that I didn't expect at all!!! ringing was gone!!! all ringing - puf, gone ..

                                  so, next printer, dunno, drylin is always in my mind, just the price is tad problematic, and I have zero idea how they behave inside a 70-90C chamber

                                  One thing that hasn't yet been mentioned is noise. Vslot (and Drylin) are practically silent.

                                  original hiwin is silent, I have huge cnc machines with hiwin rails that you can't hear till the spindle is on .. they are 2-3 orders of magnitude more silent than 8mm rod and linear bearings you can find on prusa i3 or wanhao i3 ..

                                  DeltaConundefined 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • A Former User?
                                    A Former User @zapta
                                    last edited by

                                    @zapta said in Need your advice, V-Slot VS Linear Rail.:

                                    Can a linear rail stand on its own as a X axis or does it need to be attached to an aluminum extrusion for extra strength?

                                    depends, the 12mm I would not dare, 16mm maybe some shorter distance like 25-30cm, the 25mm one can but 25mm one is iirc 1kg for 50cm (can't measure now, but can tomorrow if you want the info)

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                                    • Danalundefined
                                      Danal @zapta
                                      last edited by

                                      @zapta said in Need your advice, V-Slot VS Linear Rail.:

                                      Can a linear rail stand on its own as a X axis

                                      IMHO, no. That would be unwise.

                                      Delta / Kossel printer fanatic

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                                      • Rudy2Aundefined
                                        Rudy2A @deckingman
                                        last edited by

                                        Thank you for your participation on this subject ...

                                        I now see advantages and disadvantages in both systems.

                                        @deckingman said in Need your advice, V-Slot VS Linear Rail.:

                                        @ Rudy2A Un conseil si vous décidez de choisir la route Vslot est de ne pas utiliser une seule plaque de portique, comme indiqué sur votre première image, car les boulons pourraient potentiellement "fléchir". Utilisez des plaques doubles pour que les boulons soient fixés aux deux extrémités plutôt que la disposition en porte-à-faux si souvent utilisée. Ce genre de chose

                                        I think I'm moving towards the Deckingman system.

                                        but I also think that I could create my own model inspired by that
                                        @DeltaCon said in Need your advice, V-Slot VS Linear Rail.:

                                        Ou que pensons-nous de ces
                                        points :
                                        Détails sur: https://www.exoslide.com/ Pour les formats 20x20, 20x40 et 40x40 disponibles. Mais peut-être pas la solution la moins chère.

                                        Thank you, anyway, I am interested in any other information.

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                                        • mrehorstdmdundefined
                                          mrehorstdmd
                                          last edited by

                                          The cross sectional area of the guide rail, the acceleration you use, and the mass of the extruder carriage determine whether you need to use something to reinforce the guide rail.

                                          I use a 24 x 8 mm linear guide for the X axis without anything to stiffen it and it works fine. I don't think I'd use a 9mm guide rail that way, though.

                                          Keep in mind that if the machine 's frame is aluminum and you use linear guides for a mechanism with the bed moving in Z, temperature increases will move the Y axis linear guides apart. If the X axis guide is bolted solidly to the Y axis bearing blocks, the mechanism may bind, especially if you heat the enclosure to print ABS. You can avoid that problem by using two bearing blocks on the X axis linear guide- one for the extruder carriage and one to bolt to one of the Y axis bearing blocks. That will allow the Y axis rails to move apart because the X axis rail will be able to slide in the second bearing block.

                                          https://drmrehorst.blogspot.com/

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                                          • DeltaConundefined
                                            DeltaCon @A Former User
                                            last edited by

                                            @smece said in Need your advice, V-Slot VS Linear Rail.:

                                            original hiwin is silent, I have huge cnc machines with hiwin rails that you can't hear till the spindle is on .. they are 2-3 orders of magnitude more silent than 8mm rod and linear bearings you can find on prusa i3 or wanhao i3 ..

                                            Huge CNC machines tend to move and accelerate a lot less fast, that may contribute to that.

                                            If you think trial and error is dangerous, try routine. That's even more so!

                                            A Former User? 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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