Alum. Extrusion Manufacturers

When it comes to Linear Motion application, "affordable" linear motion
methods specifically (related to CNC of course), I have searched over
the past year for just *one* Aluminum Extrusion company who has been
"innovative" enough to make the Center Hole or Cavity (sometimes more
than one cavity) of an extrusion, to allow an *easy* insert of one of
the common Linear Bearing sizes.

My goal was this. As many know, typical Round Linear Rail is quite
affordable. Sellers on E-bay practically give it away if you know who to
contact. But to afford Linear bearings premounted "IN" linear mounting
blocks raises the costs involved quite a bit. If you've priced Thomson
Rail Stands you've likely noticed they are pretty pricey as well.

So, For a short travel distance "starter" machine, I hoped to find a
method where you would use real common Aluminum Extrusion sections
(short pieces), and press in a Linear Ball or Frelon Lined bearing into
it. This would allow one to buy just the "inner" portion of the bearing
and not the aluminum mounting blocks. Frelon gets pretty affordable.

The beauty of the concept is that you would ALSO use the very same
extrusion as the stands for the rail (one each end), by turning some
simple "liners" that again would press into the Cavity of the extrusion.
The rail could be held in place with a setscrew or two. A 1/4" spacer or
even machinery feet would go under those end supports to allow necessary
clearance for the "Slide" sections. And, It would Look good !

In the case where one prefers the linear rail to be secured all along
the length, you could even make your own "open" bearings as I have seen
some extrusions that offer some real good wall thickness. This to me,
seems like a really good "economy" - "hobby" - "newbie" method to make
inexpensive, yet pretty accurate slides.


Well, I have looked at using Fractional Extrusion with Fractional and
Metric Bearings as well as the other way around. Nothing lines up worth
diddly. I even checked out the dimensions of the extrusions used for
that new Air Line concept. Nothing lines up very well. Too bad.

I am sure there are those "one off" extrusions out there that would fill
this interesting situation, and I am really sure if you had the bucks
you could have it made. But then, it probably won't be that really
affordable solution we all look for.

If you happen to have a chunk of extrusion with a hole bigger than 3/4"
in it, and a piece of 3/4" linear rail Laying around, Slide that
extrusion over the top of that rail. Now imagine it had ball slides
holding it centered........ Now picture some of that extrusion on each
end of the rail in the same orientation with the rail firmly attached in
the center of it. "Instant" Linear Rails !! Without Thomson Pricing !
Joe Blow, could make this work just with a lathe by his side !


Not a bad Idea, I think !!!

To me, I would say every extrusion maker is "missing the boat" in
this regard. If you know of one of the common rail companies that offers
a possible solution, please let me know. I've been swimming in DXF
files and Catalogs without luck.

Thanks,

Chris L