Just how good are printed linear bearings? So, I got a hold of a bunch of ground aluminium rods. They're very smooth and straight, but they're slightly under-sized, so I can't really get bushings or bearings that would fit them properly. How well would it work to print sliding parts? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,498160#msg-498160 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:04:48 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,863937#msg-863937 Re: Just how good are printed linear bearings? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,863937#msg-863937 etfrench General Tue, 10 Dec 2019 16:50:33 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,863813#msg-863813 Re: Just how good are printed linear bearings? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,863813#msg-863813 the_digital_dentist General Sun, 08 Dec 2019 00:58:52 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,863800#msg-863800 Re: Just how good are printed linear bearings? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,863800#msg-863800 furkanbcr General Sat, 07 Dec 2019 19:23:31 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,500037#msg-500037 Re: Just how good are printed linear bearings? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,500037#msg-500037
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epicepee
etfrench, how much force can those take?

Probably a lot more than a 3d printer will generate :) I know of at least one benchtop mill (bigger than a mini-mill) that uses PTFE bearings encased in a metal sleeve. I'm using PTFE tubing in a custom camera slider and it has been working nicely. It doesn't have any trouble making movements under 5 microns. PTFE can flow over time if it isn't encased in something, so your design should take this into account.

I should mention that PTFE plumbers tape probably won't work.]]> etfrench General Tue, 21 Apr 2015 20:54:06 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,500035#msg-500035 Re: Just how good are printed linear bearings? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,500035#msg-500035
Here's a pic of the x carriage on the printer.]]> gmh39 General Tue, 21 Apr 2015 20:21:45 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,500022#msg-500022 Re: Just how good are printed linear bearings? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,500022#msg-500022 Michaelj General Tue, 21 Apr 2015 19:31:56 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,500020#msg-500020 Re: Just how good are printed linear bearings? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,500020#msg-500020 epicepee General Tue, 21 Apr 2015 19:29:17 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,500017#msg-500017 Re: Just how good are printed linear bearings? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,500017#msg-500017 etfrench General Tue, 21 Apr 2015 19:20:20 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,499452#msg-499452 Re: Just how good are printed linear bearings? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,499452#msg-499452 jaguarking11 General Mon, 20 Apr 2015 11:48:19 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,498771#msg-498771 Re: Just how good are printed linear bearings? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,498771#msg-498771 GITRDUN General Sat, 18 Apr 2015 21:08:15 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,498178#msg-498178 Re: Just how good are printed linear bearings? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,498178#msg-498178
One of my printers is a CTC replicator and I redesigned to use nylon printed bushings, you can find it on thingiverse.

I'm working on a split design for easy of replacement.

One thing you will love about them is their quiet and smooth operation.]]> ggherbaz General Fri, 17 Apr 2015 12:55:36 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,498160#msg-498160 Just how good are printed linear bearings? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,498160,498160#msg-498160 epicepee General Fri, 17 Apr 2015 12:23:12 -0400