slide and ballscrew assy concept ( what do you think )

[landy]

first post, hi all!!!

been working on a cnc router for a while, and i wanted to run this idea across the masses.




thanks for looking

[harryn]

Welcome to the zone. I have looked a few times at your concept - looks interesting. I guess you are thinking of using a plasitc slider with it ?

Certainly a very compact approach.

[stevehuckss396]

It seems to me that the top portion of the extrusion would be weakened. Maybe leave an inch or so at each end intact for strength. Looks Good!

[Oldmanandhistoy]

I think it will depend very much on how you assemble other components to it. Do you have more drawings adding other components?

[LeeWay]

Truthfully, I don't see the need to go to the extra work of doing it this way. It could be accomplished with two smaller extrusions and a backing plate. No plate if you are mounting to a solid surface. Less work and more strength. Plus more room to put a larger carrier bracket on the nut.
I built my mill using 30/60 extrusions and the hole is fairly limited space wise. I would think notching it out would really weaken the extrusion too. That part may not matter, depending on the rest of the design though.
I really would just go the simpler route though.

[schbrownie]

Cool Idea. I like your way of protecting the screw from the environment; however, I agree with the other posters and think that you will severly weaken the top portion of the extrusion... if you don't intend to ever mount anything on the top surface, then you'll be ok. I would go with one of the ideas mentioned below... either use two extrusions and a backing plate in between (you could even use a thin piece of wood or plastic or paper as a dust cover) or leave an inch or two (or as much as possible) on each end of the 80/20 extrusion as possible.

Another honest opinion... I would look into T-Slots or Bosch Rexroth's extrusions instead of 80/20. All three companies make great products and they're all functionally the same; however, 80/20 has those ridges on the outside and they are hard to keep clean.... personally I'm kind of a clean freak and keep my router looking clean and new after each time I use it and I end up having to use a toothbrush to clean out the ridges on an 80/20 extrusion. If that doesn't matter... then use whatever you find cheaper!!

Good Luck

~Jon