TSK VS NSK VS IKO

[diyengineer]

Overall which brand is better? Seems like the 3 main linear rails i find on ebay are TSK, NSK, and IKO. Thoughts opinions?

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

For no logical reason, other than a good supplier, I prefer IKO. I especially prefer their C-lube super mx roller ways for their high capacities compared to ball ways. I have no commercial interest in IKO.

Dick Z

[Veiko]

I used HIWIN... not bad at all

[packrat]

Since they are all interchangeable, with in the size (example a 20mm with a 20mm),
and they have to meet industry standards, I don't think it makes much difference brand wise.

cary

[YZF]

Hmmm... They're not always interchangeable, the profile is generally different, event the rail mounting holes can be different.

I think THK are the biggest but all make high quality linear rails of all sorts, check the specs and pick one that works for you. There are different sizes, lengths, accuracy grades, options, load configurations, materials, lubrication, drag etc. etc....

Yes, those IKO MX ones are nice, long service intervals too.

INA, Bosch, HIWIN also make good rails...

[diyengineer]

Is the best (cheapest) place to buy them new direct from the manufacturer or through a third party source like ebay?

[ger21]

Depends on your budget. Ebay is the cheapest by far, but finding what you want can sometimes be difficult. If you want new, the best pricing would probably be for HiWin from www.automation4less.com You'll see Hiwins a lot on homebuilt machines when the people bought new.

[diyengineer]

Thanks guys for all your help i'm a complete noob at this so far so any information is much appreciated and goes a long way! I plan on using 6"x3" 15 series 80/20 for the frame, do the linear rails slide in the Tslots and bolt on, or do they just bolt to the outside? If they used the T slot that would save me all kind of headache aligning the two rails! How do people usually align these guys if they dont use the T-slot? Also does IKO or HIWIN make ballscrews, it probably doesnt make a difference at all but just for the sake of simplicity it would be nice to keep it all one brand, if not oh well.

[diyengineer]

SO bearings VS rollerways, vs blocks?! I plan on machining light aluminum, the machine is only going to be 3'x3' overall dimensions. the moving gantry is going to have a spindle mounted on it, as well as be made out of 80/20 3"x6" so its going to have some weight on it for sure. What would be my best bet for accuracy as well as a low friction coefficient. Basically which one is the best?

[YZF]

You really should do a search of the forums and also look at some other people's design...

These above mentioned linear rails are designed to be mounted on machined surfaces and some of them have very strict accuracy requirements for those surfaces that if not followed would cause the bearings to bind. To see more about this refer to the vendors web site. I think I've seen people mount various linear rails to T-slots which probably means their machine is flexible enough and bends as the axis travels. IMO a waste of money. Otherwise if the 80/20 surface is flat enough you can mount the rail to the surface or the 80/20 can be machined flat or some sort of adaptor plate used.

As for linear rail alignment - again you should look at the vendor site where this is discussed. Very generally speaking one rail can be aligned to a straight edge and then the second rail aligned parallel to the first. An edge can be machined in your mounting plate and the rail pushed against it.

All these vendors also make ballscrews AFAIK but expect the cost to be in many thousands of $'s if you just source all your components from e.g. THK - these are very expensive precision components.

For machining aluminum you probably want to go with linear rails and blocks which probably makes this a bit more complex design than you were planning for? Some people do some light aluminum machining with other setups which probably means they take very light cuts and their surface finish may not be as good. Not so sure. Also try posting your general requirements here ( http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cnc_router_table_machines/ ) and see what others think.

[diyengineer]

Originally Posted by YZF You really should do a search of the forums and also look at some other people's design... These above mentioned linear rails are designed to be mounted on machined surfaces and some of them have very strict accuracy requirements for those surfaces that if not followed would cause the bearings to bind. To see more about this refer to the vendors web site. I think I've seen people mount various linear rails to T-slots which probably means their machine is flexible enough and bends as the axis travels. IMO a waste of money. Otherwise if the 80/20 surface is flat enough you can mount the rail to the surface or the 80/20 can be machined flat or some sort of adaptor plate used. As for linear rail alignment - again you should look at the vendor site where this is discussed. Very generally speaking one rail can be aligned to a straight edge and then the second rail aligned parallel to the first. An edge can be machined in your mounting plate and the rail pushed against it. All these vendors also make ballscrews AFAIK but expect the cost to be in many thousands of $'s if you just source all your components from e.g. THK - these are very expensive precision components. For machining aluminum you probably want to go with linear rails and blocks which probably makes this a bit more complex design than you were planning for? Some people do some light aluminum machining with other setups which probably means they take very light cuts and their surface finish may not be as good. Not so sure. Also try posting your general requirements here ( http://www.cnczone.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=48 ) and see what others think.

So for the best outcome shoot for linear rails. got it!

[diyengineer]

Where does everyone go on the forum to pickup these parts up? Any chance you can shoot me some popular online stores i can visit?
Thanks!