Hi guys, the video from openbuilds demonstrates X-Y table assy using C-Beam. Other videos from openbuilds demonstrates the same setup of X-Y table but aside from maybe the range of motion, why can't the X-Y table be built with wheels running along the inside of C-beam, see screenshot below: any reason why this won't work?? Thanks,
Because we are mainly going for rigidity - the further apart the wheels are the more the structure can resist twisting moments. If you look at the Workbee design you will see that the Y carriages have 14 V wheels and two gantry plates sandwiching the Y C-beam. As a V slot design this offers the greatest resistance to twisting in all 3 axes. If this doesn't matter for a particular application then I don't see why the wheels couldn't run inside the beam (I haven't checked the wheel dimensions but you could always stagger them if they clashed) Alex.
Thanks for the quick reply! Just what I needed to hear. My application doesn't really require roll resistance.
Also designs usually locate the leadscrew or belt drive in the C-beam recess and you can't put everything in there. Alex.
Note to @yekcoh, these plates were not specifically designed to mate at a 90 degree orientation like the larger plates so you will need to do a bit of drilling to attach them together. Also, if you're looking to go minimalist but need something a bit more stout consider this design. I don't follow what you're saying here. What do you mean by "everything"? Lead screws with nut blocks should fit just fine.
@Rick 2.0 Hmmm... I'm not sure what you mean by a bit of drilling. I have two low profile screws on each side like so: and yes these are mini v rails from the c beam bundle
Think it through.... (there's no clearance for the nuts). My suggestion would be to drill out the threaded holes in one of the plates and bolt through those holes securing the screw into the threaded holes of the second plate.
If you're wanting to use the corner holes for screws to hold the plates together there is no place to put a nut on the other end of the screw as the rail runs too close to the plate.