Ordered some polycarbonate wheels for HacDC's Optical Table Robot. Unfortunately, they only fit V-groove extrusions, while I greatly prefer the flexibility of OpenRail. As this is a high-precision large-scale machine, obviously, these wheels need to be rigid. . Definitely prefer not to use delrin wheels. However, the hard coat OpenRail seems discontinued, and the steel wheels supposedly depended on on it. Is that still the case? What is the best solution available for OpenRail users?
This is definitely relevant to my interests. Are there any plans for hard coat V-Slot? That would have been ideal for the project I'm currently working on designing. If there was, what would be the load rating on that using steel V-wheels?
Check out the new Xtreme Dual V Wheels they are VERY tough! http://openbuildspartstore.com/openbuilds-xtreme-dual-v-wheel/ Kit Version http://openbuildspartstore.com/openbuilds-xtreme-dual-v-wheel-kit/ Hope this helps Mark
Thank you, appreciate commitment to maintaining high-quality products. The 25lbs rating is also immensely helpful.
While I'm putting the mill on ice for a while (cost!) and moving towards simple laser cutting and 3D printing, I'm still interested in how I'll eventually provide guidance in subtractive manufacturing. How do the polycarb wheels stack up against, say, 15mm supported linear slide bearings? 150lb (25x6) doesn't seem like a lot for the forces of metal milling, but I might be wrong.
Hello @Rob Taylor I found some information that may be useful. to help calculate cutting force 1) what is maximum horsepower? usually a motor is about 800 watts per continuous hp, ok lets say 1 hp machine at close to stalling motor 1 hp x 33000 ft lbs per min / SFPM (surface feet per minute of cutter) so lets say a router cutting aluminum at 1000 sfpm 1*33000/1000= 33lbs of force at slower speed of 100 sfpm 1*33000/100 = 330 lbs at really slow speed of 10 sfpm 1*33000/10 = 3300 lbs