OPEN RAIL Open Source Linear Bearing System
Derived from
Description
UPDATE V9.Zip added to include VSlot Extrusion Framing System
thingiverse.com/thing:69333
Open Rail is a new Open Source Universal Linear Rail System designed to be used in conjunction with various sizes of readily available T-Slot aluminum extrusions.
The Open Rail system will be made of 6061-T5 Aluminum with Black Hard Coat Anodized, Type III, which means we will have the ability to use both metal v wheels for heavy wear light duty applications and plastic v wheels for quiet light duty applications. This, along with Open Rail's unique ability to adapt to many different aluminum extrusions configurations makes it the most versatile linear rail system available today. The linear V guides have been around for a long time. The problem in the past has been mounting them to existing extrusions. This can be difficult and unconventional. Open Rail was designed to make installation a breeze (easily installs with included screws and t-nuts) and completely customizable unique to each machine.
NOTE: The pictures included are quick renderings to give a few examples of what could be possible. They do not represent complete machines...Yet! :)
Thank you
OpenBuilds Team
Instructions
OPENRAIL
Where can I get it?
openbuildspartstore.com
Check out the link for videos and more info:
kickstarter.com/projects/openrail/openrail-open-source-linear-bearing-system
Features
A few key features that make the OpenRail attractive to the Maker in us all, is the ability to span the t-slot with pre-drilled holes and use t-nuts for easy mounting to t-slot extrusion.
Open Rail will be hard coat anodized (harder than tool steel) matweb.com/reference/anodize.aspx.
The Open Rail system is versatile in that it has the ability to overlap and create a single double v rail extrusion system as well as fit onto other extrusion configurations.
Open
But most of all, what we feel is the most important and exciting aspect of the Open Rail system is the ability to bring this to the open source world so that others can build from it. Our intention is to share this idea completely with everyone who wants to create with it. When the drawings are final they will be open to anyone who wants to create the Open Rail. There are no commercial limitations so small maker businesses are free to sell these extrusions to help further seed this system to others. We are working to have dies made overseas so that the guys over there will not have to pay large shipping to have an inexpensive and customizable linear rail system for making their next cool projects.
UPDATE - NEW VERSION OF OPENRAIL HAS BEEN UPLOADED! V7
Just uploaded a new ZIP that contains lots of different formats (Thanks to George and Scott)
including an updated version of the SketchUp model which has been cleaned up a little and now contains a new extrusion we did not know was compatible 8020s series 10 profile! Download the Zip and Check out the SketchUp for more.
*MK - mknorthamerica.com/store/series-25/profiles.html
(Check sketchUp to which ones will work)
*Bosch - www13.boschrexroth-us.com/Framing_Shop/Product/Default.aspx?category=10101
(Check sketchUp to which ones will work, there may be more of these out there. Just added a few we found)
*8020 - 8020.net/T-Slot-5.asp
(10 series profiles (fractional) - 20 series profiles (metric) - 25 series profile (metric) Check sketchUp to which ones will work)
*Misumi - misumiusa.com/CategoryImages/AluminumExtrusions/Extrusion-Browser.html
(Check sketchUp to which ones will work)
*OpenBeam - blog.openbeamusa.com/
(Works with smaller screws with OpenRail stacked double. Take a look at the SketchUp)
*MakerBeam - makerbeam.eu/
(Works with smaller screws with OpenRail stacked double. Take a look at the SketchUp)
This is a short list of some of the extrusion profiles OpenRail is compatible with (Check the SketchUp for sizing with the profiles you want to use) We are sure there are more If you find them please let us know in the comments.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Uploaded a DXF file of Open Rail. The hole spacing from center to center is 50mm
We just wanted to do a quick update of Version 1 (rough) drawings for a couple of the OpenRail V Wheel Designs. In addition to the standard Delrin V Wheels, these will also be available. You can see that we have a break on the outside as well as the inside which will allow us to use these wheels on interior v tracks for future design considerations. There is still much work and testing to be done but the prospect of having the choice between metal and plastic v wheels is awesome!
This is a compatibility test between Open Rail and OpenBeam. As you will see, we designed a few examples models to try out and we picked one to build from there. Its working great!
Hey guys,
After doing some searching for different extrusion profiles, we found that by adding an oblong hole pattern to the OpenRail we were able to make the OpenRail compatible with a lot more extrusion profiles out there from many different companies. We only did a few as an example but we are sure there
are more. It looks like all the 20mm and now 25 mm profiles will work! So this is really exciting news for us all. This allows you to use extrusion local to your country as well as give us all a much larger selection of many unique profiles available from lots of different companies out there.
BTW
the new file has been added to the downloads above! Looking forward to seeing all the cool creations you guys come up with using Open Rail
Great idea. Joined your kickstarter.
The link to the MISUMI Series 5 extrusion profiles seems to be broken. Only get "404 Page not found".
Nice work, looking forward to integrating these in some new designs. Should allow for great flexibility.
Now if you can supply these faster than makerslide, you might be on to something ;)
License
More from OpenBuilds
More from DIY
Great stuff! High Quality!