dust and rails ( was Re: Linear rail & ball screw size suggestions

Hi Chris and all,

I was at a shop yestarday looking at their plazma cutter.

1.5" shaft for the gantry, totally exposed. supported every 18
inches by standard supports, open style linear ball bearings.

The unit had a water table, but it also had a large collar around the
cutter. This was angled to prevent the part from hittting the tip,
but it was also connected to the exhaust. The area was very clean.

A flexable hose and vaccuummee (I know there are two of some letters
in that word) seems really easy.

Also, the shop was clean. no splatter, no dust. and no large fans
and curtains and all that jazz.

btw, on my table, I am using a single lead screw, under the table,
with telescoping tubing as protection. This is very simple and well
worth the effort to keep chips clear.

Dave

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., CL <datac@l...> wrote:
> "J.Critchfield" wrote:
>
> > If dust is an issue with ballscrews what about ball bearing linear
> > components?
>
> In most cases, the Ball bearing Linear components have pretty good
wipers to clean the rail before the balls get there. Usually the
wipers are replaceable, but from what I've seen, most operators end
> up running without noticing, and just run it till it doesn't work
right.
>
> When a component goes bad, No big deal...... Just replace what went
bad. Part of any mechanical machines life. This is where you really
will appreciate using components that are common place.
>
>
> In regards what is recommended in the DC Plans for a Leadscrew,
These things pretty much so wipe themselves clean each pass. It sure
doesn't hurt that the entire screw is under the table instead of
> exposed. That is one thing I do not like about moving tables....
Exposed lower screws when the table is each way.
>
> If you are going to cut abrasive materials, concentrate on a really
good dust collection system for sure. You might want to try a
miniature "filter wall" on the "X 0" end of the machine, creating a
> "Flow" of air past the spindle !
>
>
> Chris L