lineair slide for xy table

thingiverse

For creating small plotter systems, CNC milling machines, PCB milling equipment or 3D printers, I made a low-cost, simple-to-assemble, universal and modular linear slide. It uses widely available parts along with components reclaimed from old inkjet printers. The design is created in Sketchup and using the STL export extension, STLs are generated. All STL files are thoroughly checked and can be printed without supports. The slider can be built in several variations: a low-friction version utilizing LM8UU bearings (untested personally) or a version featuring brass bushes (10/8mm, 20mm long) for handling higher loads and applications involving fine dust. A stepper-driven slide with or without a hand wheel is also possible. The length of the linear slide can be adjusted but it's recommended not to make them much longer than around 25cm, resulting in a 16 cm travel for the slide. For the base, high-quality 9 or 10mm exterior-grade plywood with a width of 80mm will suffice. This keeps the slide as low-profiled as possible. A drill and cut template for the plywood is provided along with instructions to attach it to parts using M3 screws. Some holes need to be reamed with a drill for accurate fitting of smooth rods and bushes. Material used includes: 8mm smooth rod, M8 threaded rod, one Nema 17 stepper motor and four 20mm M3 nuts, one motor coupling to M8 threaded rod diameter 12mm, one M8 nut for the slide, four LM8UU or 10/8 brass bushes (20mm long), one 608ZZ bearing, one M3 screw, one M3 nut and two M8 nuts for the hand wheel, and four M3 screws.