Sliding Tracks, what do you use?

[NelsonMichael]

I've seen quite a bit of interesting solutions to having either 2 square tubing slide together or 80/20 slide together.

What have you used? and What is the... "best" sliding track to use?

[nicholsjj]

We actually cut a piece of 80/20 in half and made custom rail cars with skateboard bearings. It works well because you can machine an upside down v pattern into your mounting blocks to mount under the half rail, and you also have a place to run cable through.

[martin417]

In 2011, 1771 made both the elevator and the minibot launch rail from IGUS slides. They worked flawlessly. The CAD model for the bot is available on frc designs.

[Peter Matteson]

We make our own using 1/8" wall box and delrin slides.

You can see a couple of these mechanisms on our 2011 robot here:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/37063

[jimwick]

We have used 8020 with skateboard bearings.
It's a bit bulky but slides like ice on ice.
I don't have a good picture, but you can see part of the assembly in this pic.

[EOC]

Linear sliders for 80/20 are available from McMaster Carr:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#t-slotted-framing/=lrvibi

[DonRotolo]

80/20 also sells sliders.

We used 80/20 this year with custom sliders, but in the past we have used Igus, who makes some really awesome solutions.

[Grim Tuesday]

I'm rather curious what 254 used for their elevator in 2011. Whatever it was, it was smooth and light.

[NelsonMichael]

Yeah I was also wondering that, I'd like to stay away from the 80/20 because on an elevator, its just too heavy. Yes, easier to work with, but I don't know if its worth it if you have the resources to make due with c-chanels and honey-combed extrusions.