v-slot rails or hiwin linear rails

[coalminerskip]

I'm in the middle of designing my plasma table. Wanting a little feedback on what type of rails to run. I always overbuild everything. Hiwin linear rails are very expensive but are they worth it over running v-slot wheels and rail? I really like the speed demon sg linear rails but man are they pricey. I plan on building a 5x10 table and running servo motors with planetary gear boxes. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated as I'm in the design phase.

[Nacs Fab]

I have V-Rail on my Machine and have been running it for 7 years without any troubles. Still on the same bearings from VXB. I used V-Rail that has the hardened steel insert in Aluminum Extrusion. It was from PCB Linear. I would probably go the same route again, but it sounds like your table is a lot more high end than mine.

[ScottRa]

I can’t be much for advise but here’s a video if you want to hear some comment. I believe it’s from Bulltear/Starlab.



Scott

[weldguy]

V rail in my opinion. It's less expensive, does what you need it to very well, is super easy to keep clean, and deadly reliable. With machining you get chips, with plasma you get abrasive dust and the v wheel/rail setup just isn't affected by this. A scotchbrite pad will have the scrub the v rails clean in seconds and this setup will never fail.

[xnaron]

I have V-Rail on my Machine and have been running it for 7 years without any troubles. Still on the same bearings from VXB. I used V-Rail that has the hardened steel insert in Aluminum Extrusion. It was from PCB Linear. I would probably go the same route again, but it sounds like your table is a lot more high end than mine.

I have vrails on the cnc router I built before the end of last year. Do you have a water table? I was thinking about using vrail on part of my new plasma build but was thinking about how they would do with exposure to water.

[Rodw]

I think if you are going to the expense of planetary gearboxes, I would go with the linear rails. Overall, it does not increase costs much by percentage terms.

[TJS]

I have PPLC V rails and a water table. When I am done cutting I just wipe the rails and wd40 them or whatever I have on hand. No issues with water.

[xnaron]

I think if you are going to the expense of planetary gearboxes, I would go with the linear rails. Overall, it does not increase costs much by percentage terms.

I agree with Rod. The only reason I used the vrails is that I already had them on hand. If not I would have went with linear rails. On my new plasma build I am using linear rails.

[Nacs Fab]

I do have a water table and no troubles with v-rail rusting. I keep it scotchbrite clean!