In the early days of 3D printers, most builds used smooth rods and bearings that rode on them. But these days, printers are shipping with either V-slot extrusions with Delrin wheels or linear rails.

V-slot extrusion: Ooznest – a great UK SME from where I have bought custom cut-and-tapped V-slot rail, and would do the same again. T-slot extrusion: RS Components – need I say more. MGN12 rail: Hiwin ...

Open Rail is completely compatible with the MakerSlide linear bearing system. Instead of requiring a special aluminum extrusion, the Open rail system uses regular, plain-jane aluminum extrusions ...

A new Linear Rail System uses a precision leadscrew assembly to provide controlled positioning along the axis of a robust linear slide. The system consists of a stationary base with a load-bearing ...

Adding linear rails to a length of aluminium extrusion is a common way to make a fairly rigid guiding structure, and I have been doing just that in the workshop. But things were not working quite ...