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80/20 Aluminum T-slot Building Systems – Build your Idea

8020.net

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Re: 80/20 Aluminum T-slot Building Systems – Build your Idea

#62

Post by tguvot »

Spent last couple of weeks browsing this site and other 80/20 sites. There is an online cad program specially made for 80/20 https://item.engineering/AUen/tools/engineeringtool/ . And some guy who makes woodworking jigs from extruded aluminum https://www.youtube.com/@jisakukobo/videos

Re: 80/20 Aluminum T-slot Building Systems – Build your Idea

#63

Post by raisedbyninjas »

strken wrote: post #2

I've been looking at aluminium extrusion videos on youtube for the past half-hour trying to work out how the dies have a circular void in the middle. Turns out it's a second die (called a mandrel) that locks into the main die (called a cap), and the hot pressurised aluminium flows around the mandrel then forms back into one piece as it goes through the cap.

Same as the play-dough tube extruder.

Re: 80/20 Aluminum T-slot Building Systems – Build your Idea

#65

Post by engineer_22 »

iancmceachern wrote: post #34
strken wrote: post #2

I've been looking at aluminium extrusion videos on youtube for the past half-hour trying to work out how the dies have a circular void in the middle. Turns out it's a second die (called a mandrel) that locks into the main die (called a cap), and the hot pressurised aluminium flows around the mandrel then forms back into one piece as it goes through the cap.

The coolest part (pun intended) is how they cool the semi-melted aluminum after extrusion, in long tanks of water, that have no sides, the sides are made from water pressure made from directing water flow.

Please provide a link, this sounds insane

Re: 80/20 Aluminum T-slot Building Systems – Build your Idea

#66

Post by techdragon »

am_lu wrote: post #55

For small stuff there is also makerbeam, 10x10mm sized, uses M3 fasteners. https://www.makerbeam.com

Unfortunately it’s prohibitively expensive for larger “intricate” work projects. Otherwise it’s good stuff. Just a little more expensive than I’d like per linear meter.

Re: 80/20 Aluminum T-slot Building Systems – Build your Idea

#67

Post by tootie »

iancmceachern wrote: post #31

Also check out Misumi. They will cut it to length, tap, drill holes, etc all just by configuring it woth part numbers. They Lso have pre made assemblies, you can get it in black anodized, and the pricing can't be beat, it's an order of magnitude less than other suppliers when you get the customizations. Also check out Vention, they'll design and build a whole machine for you using the stuff

I've used openbuilds before. They sell all sorts of aluminum rails, wheels, brackets and motors. And they have a community of designers posting builds for all sorts of machines.

https://openbuildspartstore.com/

Re: 80/20 Aluminum T-slot Building Systems – Build your Idea

#69

Post by techdragon »

With all the recommendations flying around, I’d like to seek the collective wisdom’s advice, as I’ve been looking for suppliers anywhere in the world that make these kinds of metal construction framing systems that either make locally in my country or state, or have low bulk shipping to it. I’ve been trying for ages to find a way to avoid the significant markup to ship these sorts of heavy metal items to Western Australia. I’ve even been keepin regular tabs on local metal extruders and the few theatres have extruders in state are pretty much entirely making things for the housing/building construction industry and a couple of standard garden/industry forms like tube triangle, square, star picket, etc…

Anyone got advice on good suppliers local or global? I’m happy waiting a month or three for stuff to arrive from anywhere on the globe if it means I don’t spend 15-25% on shipping.

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