Z slide length, dimensioning the linear system.

[sprayhead]

Hi fellows,

I've seen that the first MechMate has been given a Prismatic Linear Rail and respective unit, and I am particularly interested in that because it handles dust better than the DualVee wheels... For most applications of cutting sheet materials I think that the DualVee setup will work great but I have something a little different in mind, witch will create some serious dust amounts.


I'd like to ask for advice on dimensioning the linear system of the Z unit.

- I need the total travel to be 600mm;
- My spindle weights approximately 7Kg;
- The cutting forces should not exceed 15Kg, applied at the 600mm (maximum length of Z), and the maximum offset of this force is 150mm from the center of the Z Unit (Imagine the center line of the Z guide of the first mechmate). To make this more clear I intend to use a 300mm diameter disk and use it to cut/grind foam with it's face.

Would I be able to use only one Z linear unit, like the first mechmate, or should I make something more reinforced like adding another "slide unit" or even add another linear rail and have one slide for each rail?

any help appreciated
thanks,
Francis

[sprayhead]

Any help at all with dimensioning prismatic linear units?