Design Example: Slider and Rail Systems

../_images/slider-on-rails.png

This example demonstrates making a low-precision stepper-driven translation stage using sliding contact. The bearing is formed by contact between a wooden slider and rails of 15mm aluminum extrusion, optionally enhanced with glued-on felt. A suitable drive option for a short stage is a rack and pinion gear with the motor carried directly on the slider. For a longer stage, a long open-ended timing belt driven from a motor at one end moves a lightweight carrier. Either result is a low-precision but low-cost laser-cuttable translation stage.

The SolidWorks model files may be found in the FlatPackExamples/Slider-Systems folder, or may be downloaded as a single file as Slider-Systems.zip.

The individual cutting files may be found in the FlatPackDXF/rail-system folder and are individually linked from the DXF File Index.

Parts

Not to scale.

../_images/slider.png ../_images/belt-buckle.png ../_images/belt-drive.png ../_images/belt-motor-mount-90mm-idler.png ../_images/belt-motor-mount-90mm-motor.png ../_images/extrusion-adapter.png ../_images/extrusion-clamp.png ../_images/motorized-slider-base-60mm.png ../_images/motorized-slider-base-90mm.png ../_images/motorized-slider-base.png ../_images/motorized-slider-on-rails-60mm.png ../_images/motorized-slider.png ../_images/motorized-turntable.png ../_images/pinion-key-6mm.png ../_images/pinion-spur-gear-14-tooth.png ../_images/rail-clamp.png ../_images/rail-clamp-support.png ../_images/rail-spur-rack-51-tooth.png ../_images/rail-spur-rack.png ../_images/rail-tie-120mm.png ../_images/rail-tie-60mm.png ../_images/rail-tie-90mm.png ../_images/rail-tie.png ../_images/rail-T-tie.png ../_images/rail-XL-flange-idler.png ../_images/rail-XL-flange-motor.png ../_images/rail-XL-pulley-idler.png ../_images/rail-XL-pulley-motor.png ../_images/rail-XL-pulleys.png ../_images/slider-base-60mm.png ../_images/slider-base-90mm.png ../_images/slider-base.png ../_images/slider-guide-15mm.png ../_images/slider-guide-60mm.png ../_images/slider-guide.png