03. Linear Rails

The linear rails are supplied with a protective oil coating on them. It is strongly recommended to prepare your work surface with paper towels and to wear disposable gloves.

Paper Towels

Linear Rail

Carefully open one end of the linear rail packaging and remove the rail. Place the rail upon the paper towels and dispose of the packaging

The oil on the rails protects them from rusting. You must either replace this oil after cleaning (as directed below), or make sure not to remove all of the original oil during preparation

An easy solution to both protect, and lubricate the rails, is using a light oil such as 3-in-1 or sewing machine oil

Apply a small amount of oil to a paper towel and then apply the oil to the rail by wiping it with the oiled paper towel. This may be done prior to, or after installation of the linear rails.

More advanced users may wish to fully grease the rails & carriage with a specialised bearing lubricant. It is important to use the correct grade and make sure there are no additives such as PTFE, graphite, molybdenum disulfide, etc. The recommended grade of grease is EP00 or EP000 as these lubricate well, without being too viscous.

With the rail still on the absorbent paper towels, carefully and slowly move the carriage from one end of the rail to the other

The carriage should move smoothly over the entire length of the rail

Small changes in resistance are normal, but the carriage becoming much harder to push, or binding completely are not

Repeat the previous test whilst applying a small amount of force downwards on the carriage

The carriage will likely travel more smoothly when applying a downwards force, this is normal

If the carriage does not move smoothly, or binds completely, refer to the Linear Rail Troubleshooting Guide

2x 400mm MGN12 Linear Rail

16x M3x12 Cap Head Screw

16x 3030 Drop-in T-Nut - M3

V-Core 4 400 - 20 Screws + T-nuts

V-Core 4 500 - 24 Screws + T-nuts

The linear rail carriages are not interchangeable. Do not try to use a carriage on a different linear rail than the one it was supplied with.

Linear Rail

Remove the plastic stops installed in the ends of the linear rail

Do not allow the linear rail carriage to leave the end of the rail

Insert an M3x12 screw in every other hole in the linear rail

Loosely thread a 3030 T-Nut onto each of the M3x12 screws

vc4_y_bumper printed part

2x M6x12 Cap Head Screw

2x 3030 Drop-in T-Nut - M6

Repeat the previous steps and assemble another Y bumper

Y bumper assembly from the previous step.

Make sure the printed part is fully inserted in the frame extrusion's slot,

Tighten the M6x12 Cap Head Screw

Take care not to over tighten the M6x12 screws as you damage the printed parts

400mm MGN12 Linear Rail Assembly

Insert the linear rail into the 3030 extrusion

Install the two MGN12 3030 alignment tools as shown, this will make sure the linear rail is positioned correctly

Slide the MGN12 linear rail into the Y bumper printed part

Fasten the marked M3x12 screws, starting from the front.

MGN12 Rails should be tightened to 98 N-cm of torque, overtightening the screws will result in rail binging.

Remove the MGN12 3030 alignment tools

Repeat Steps 6 and 7 and install the linear rail on the opposite side