Originally Posted by Rhodan  I'm making a Y-Axis with two IKO 20mm linear rails with LWES20 trucks. At first I was planning on using four trucks (two each top and bottom) but after playing with the trucks for a while they seem really, REALLY steady. I'm thinking I might be able to use just two trucks, one per rail. Is this a bad idea?
The machine its going on uses 272oz/in steppers with a 1/2-10 leadscrew and pushes around a 2.25HP router. Do you think this would be too weak when moving along the Y axis? |
Have you had a look at this thread?
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45595
The PDF's on machine design are excellent reading
Using 4 trucks, which is what just about everyone does is actually overconstraining the design - 3 trucks is in theory optimal! As you say though, those linear rails are amazingly tough - I would have a look at the data sheets to decide whether or not the trucks can take it. You will probably find you have a massive saftey factor with just two trucks though.