F605H
FireSlide F605 is a linear slider that uses F605 flanged bearings and standard 20mm aluminum extrusions.
The linear rail for FireSlide F605H is simply a length of standard 20x40mm slotted aluminum extrusion. A good length is 500mm, which permits up to 300mm of travel and is well within the range of application software that uses 16-bit arithmetic (e.g. Marlin, FireStep) to control a 16-microstep stepper driver (e.g., Trinamic 2100 SilentStepStick). FireSlide does not require a perfect 90-degree end cut (yes, you can use a hacksaw), but you will probably prefer the finished edges provided by Misumi.
Misumi offers many varieties of 20x40mm extrusion. In terms of FireSlide, there's really no functional difference between them. However, note that the fully-slotted extrusions are more generally useful than the partially slotted extrusions.
Notes:
- Prior to assembly, add four M5 extrusion nuts to the bottom two slots of the extrusion so that you can mount FireSlide to your robot. If you forget to add the four M5 extrusion nuts, Just use a pair of M3X40BKT90 90-degree brackets for mounting--M3X connectors are designed for post-assembly attachment.
- X40F605CAR-L (left-carriage) (1)
- X40F605CAR-R (right-carriage) (1)
- F605 flanged bearings (4)
- M5 locknuts (4)
- M5x25mm socket head screws (4)
- 20x80x260mm aluminum extrusion. Width and length are customizable (1)
- M5x10mm flathead screw (4)
- M5 extrusion nut (4)
- GT2 6mm belt
- dark nail polish
The FireSlide F605H slider is a short length of standard 20x80mm slotted aluminum extrusion that rides on a mirror image pair of horizontal F605 bearing bogies (see picture above). Each carriage has an integral GT2 tunnel stop (feed belt through, fold over and reinsert until snug). The optical limit switch flag included on each carriage and may need multiple layers of dark nail polish (see below).
Each carriage is printed with two flanged lockwashers that should be rotated flat-sides-in during assembly and rotated flat-side-out during use:
Adjust GT2 belt tension with the M3 tensioning screw on the X40IDL idler. Be sure to loosen the X40IDL M5 screws before adjusting the tension. Tighten the M5 screws to lock the idler in place.
- FSMSIDL idler
- M5x55mm partially threaded screw (1)
- M5 locknut (1)
- 5x10x4mm bearing (2)
- M3 nut (1)
- M3x20mm screw for tensioning (1)
- M5x10mm flathead screw (4)
- M5 extrusion nut (4)
- GT2 16T pulley--larger pulleys won't work (1)
Design notes:
- The GT2 idler pulley has guide flanges and it can be slid into place during assembly to help pre-tension the belt.
- Attach the GT2 pulley to the unthreaded part of the M5 screw and fasten with the set screws
- Use all 4 M5 flathead screws for rigidity
FireSlide F605H uses a NEMA14 stepper attached to one end of the extrusion used as a linear rail. Since the slider moves over the stepper, a compact stepper profile is important to minimize FireSlide height--the more popular NEMA17 stepper is a bit too large for the job. Choose a NEMA14 stepper with low resistance and inductance--they cost more but are worth it.
- X40NEMA14 stepper bracket left or right (1)
- NEMA14 stepper (1)
- M5x10mm flathead screw (4)
- M5 extrusion nut (4)
- M5x25mm screw (1)
- M5 locknut (1)
- 5x10x4mm bearing (2)
- GT2 20T pulley (1)
- M3x15mm screw (6)
- M3 nut (2)
- RepRap optical limit switch (1)
Notes:
- You can also use a 16T pulley, but it will decrease range and speed
- A flywheel can greatly improve maximum speed
The original FireSlide was based on MakerSlide. Although functional, it offered opportunities for improvement:
- MakerSlide is open-source but not globally available from multipler sources
- MakerSlide relies on a special extrusion that cannot really be used for other purposes such as framing
- MakerSlide assemblies are rather large and don't lend themselves to miniaturization
- MakerSlide assemblies, though cheap, are not as cheap as equivalent components
- 3DP MakerSlide components use a lot of plastic
- Each MakerSlide wheel requires two bearings
In contrast, the F605 flanged bearing is multi-sourced, cheap (<0.60USD) and globally available. F605 bearings have a 16mm load-bearing flange that can ride vertically or horizontally on a standard 20x40mm extrusion. The bearings are also very compact (5x14x5mm), which makes them ideal for creating 3DP parts sized to 20mm extrusions.