Joining THK rails?

[GalaticDan]

Hi,

I've looked for ages for the right rails and have lots of smaller rails. Has anyone had any luck joining the rails to make them to the side required for your project?

I was thinking of lining them up against a profile but want to know if any one else has done this successfully or unsuccessfully?

Thanks

Dan

[mxtras]

Seams happen!

Yeah - it's done all the time. The ends of the rails are chamfered from the factory unless they were ordered for end-to-end use. You can almost always feel the seam - no matter how accurately you align them, but it is somewhat minimal. The chamfer is what creates the hiccup in the motion.

Scott

[ger21]

Just stagger the seams from rail to rail so they aren't in the same spot

[GalaticDan]

I do need one complete long rail so the carriages can slide the complete length.

Dan

[PEU]

I asked the same question months ago and from the replies I came to the conclusion that the rails cannot be joined succesfully without the hiccup.

Here is the thread: http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10927 there are pictures with the idea evolution, and there is also a pic of the rails I purchased when the idea was scrapped


Pablo

[GalaticDan]

Hi peu,

I thought was much. I've seen your design and mine is simlar accept I was going to use 3 carriages, evenly spaced per rail so two carriages would be on 1 joined rail at any one time.

Anyhow, I don't want an hicup and think it'll effect the tool so I guess i'm going to have to look for long enough rails.

Dan

[acondit]

Thk says that you can join multiple rails, but they do special machining to insure both horizontal and vertical alignment. My rails seem to be hard enough that I doubt I could machine them in my shop.

Alan