New Idea for Linear Bearings

[jgro]

Hi all,

I had a idea the other day (maybe a brain fart) for a new style linear bearing. I was thinking about using round shafts and ball transfers that are used for conveyor systems. They are one big spherical ball that rotate on smaller balls on the inside of the housing. You would need 6 per bearing. The price is about $2.55 - $5.00 a piece. See next post for a quick layout that I did.
Do you guys think it's feasible?

jgro

[jgro]

Here's a quick layout. The top and left side would be rigid mounted and the right side would be adjustable.

[buscht]

jgro, I don't have any idea if it would work, but its a great concept. Well worth the effort to prototype.

IMO.

T

[ynneb]

It fun thinking up alternative ideas isnt it.

If you think about it, that is how linear bearings are in reality. You have just redesigned the housing arrangement the holds the ball. The next logical step is to join the 3 housings into one unit and then you have esentially what is already on the market. Im not critisizing your thinking. I always am trying to come up with a new idea too. Because the rail is the most expensive part of the linear bearing, I think to make an afordable arrangement is to work out how to manufacture a new rail system.

Keep up the ideas.

[teilhardo]

The conveyer belt bearings you can get used though. Instead of paying $5 you could probably scavenge a couple of surplus shops and get hold of quite a few for that price. But I also agree, a new rail system is definetely the best solution possible. Stainless rails are very rare and in turn, very expensive.

-Tei

[vacpress]

inexpensive linear rails would make me so happy. i have next to no money, and am trying to et a machine going that isnt made of wood and scrap.

Used rails off ebay are interesting - but i dont much like ebay.. and i dont like the shipping costs...

round rod with roller-blade bearings and machined carriages are OK looking idea.. but again.. mcmaster SS rod is so expensive.. im considering trying 1" drain pipe if i cant swing THK or NSK or IGUS or whatever....

for the z for sure... x,y - i dunno

[Hobbiest]

Igus is pretty inexpensive stuff. 3/4" bearings, with the aluminum housing (you could just make a housing) for $11 each, $3 without. Haven't gotten them together yet...not enough time in one day! They work great on CRS, zinc plated, or drill rod. Not so well on hardened and polished stuff.

[vacpress]

CRS would probably be the cheapest reasonable material.. i want a 4x4 or 3x3 table... 1" to big or small for the x,y rails if i went that way?

argh.. i should just spend the $100-$200 on some used THKs off ebay from those sharks... or whatever they are(envious grin)

[avsfan733]

anyone have any experience using air bearings? I visited a shop recently that had a hone for doing precision holed, the thing was cnc controlled and just slid around so easily on air bearins. it was incredible

[dmgdesigns]

I make a product for a client using transfer ball similar to these. IMHO I would stick with a more traditional bearing. These products have little to no precision and do not move that smoothly. I get them from balltransfer.com They are the cheapest place I have found and they have a wide assortment.

Mark

[Hobbiest]

Where I am, 3/4" CRS is about 50 cents a foot. I am going to run the open style bearings, and use angle iron for rail support. If I can get a true enough piece of angle, I'll just weld it along the entire length (skip weld actually), otherwise I'll place it intermittently, and use brass shims to adjust the height of the supports. Cutting out pieces tonight. Gotta get back in the garage!

[teilhardo]

What does CRS stand for?