Flatness, level and parallel 2M long Igus Drylin Rails
SWMH-08-2000
CHRMPLTED SHAFT 2M
RJZM-01-08
DRYLIN W/ J SLV
TS-04-12
DRYLIN T RAIL 2M
TWE-04-12 QTY 2
MINIATURE ADJ.
Hello,
I am using the listed parts to make a 2 meter long Y-axis for modification of my Prusa I3 MK3. I want to remove and transfer my existing printer's heatbed to travel on the 2 meter Igus Drylin rails. The heatbed will not travel the full length of the rails. I want to make one common Y-axis that is shared by multiple modified Prusa printers without collision as they independently make parts. I hope to fit 4 or more printers on this one 2 meter axis.
I have not seen anybody attempt this. I am trying to used the 1 fixed rail and 1 floating rail recommendation. The only videos I have seen are replacing the linear bearings with drylin bearings and I believe this would be two floating rails. And the other videos replace the linear bearings with drylin rails and that would be two fixed rails.
My design will be one fixed rail to define the movement of the heatbed and one floating rail to accomodate any "slop" or tiny misalignment issues. The fixed rail will define the travel of the heatbed because it will not have any fight against a float rail with linear bearings known to have some degree of slop.
In order to achieve the level heatbed as the end result, the fixed rail Drylin T rail is higher under the heatbed assembly than is the shaft with the Drylin linear bearing floating rail. The two rails are different distances underneath the heatbed.
I think I know how to final check if the heatbed is level. I saw a video how to install solar panels onto rails for a roof and I think that video helps me to plan to keep the rails parallel to eachother.
Does anyone have any ideas how to approach and achieve flatness of the two rails across the entire 2 meter length? How is a good way to make sure they are flat to eachother before setting the two rails into their final position?
As of now there is no structure to hold the heights of these 2 rails across the full 2 meters. I am wondering how to achieve flatness and then I will build the structure to suspend these two rails from end to end. It would be much easier for me to figure out how design this if I had a 2 meter flatness table. But since I don't have one, I am hoping other people have ideas.
How can two long rails of different styles and geometries be held in flatness to eachother across two meters? Thank you for your design ideas.
This is probably more a robotics question and not a Prusa question. But I do intend to use modified Prusa printers on the rails. I will look at additional forums for Ideas and suggestions, as well.