View Full Version : DIY Uni-Guide Camera Slider


Zachary Olson
September 13th, 2010, 03:41 PM
I'm thinking of manufacturing camera sliders with these linear guides, but wanted to get an idea of how many people would be interested?

It is similar to IGUS but instead of round rails, they're squared off. And it's a 2 piece design instead of 6 or more parts.

PBC Linear Uni-Guide - Modular Guide System (http://uniguide.pbclinear.com/uniguide/uniguidemodularguidesystem.htm#lpuniguide)

Let me know what everyone thinks?

Zachary Olson
September 14th, 2010, 11:05 AM
The best thing about this new system is it's only two pieces instead of 14! Take a look at their add showing the profile cross sections of it vs the IGUS rail.

DW September Newsletter (http://images.pacific-bearing.com/Design-World-Eblast-September-2010.htm)

I'd like so know the interest and I could set these up easily as camera sliders.

Brian Luce
September 17th, 2010, 12:08 AM
The best thing about this new system is it's only two pieces instead of 14! Take a look at their add showing the profile cross sections of it vs the IGUS rail.

DW September Newsletter (http://images.pacific-bearing.com/Design-World-Eblast-September-2010.htm)

I'd like so know the interest and I could set these up easily as camera sliders.

I'm confused, how is this *less* pieces than an Igus based slider? The only difference is the shape of the rails.

ps, on the rails issue, maybe some of the engineers can comment, but should a round rail be less prone to stickiness compare to a square one?

Zachary Olson
September 29th, 2010, 01:08 PM
I'm confused, how is this *less* pieces than an Igus based slider? The only difference is the shape of the rails.

ps, on the rails issue, maybe some of the engineers can comment, but should a round rail be less prone to stickiness compare to a square one?

You can see it in the pictures. The IGUS is 14 pieces with the bearings and screws and plate and rail. The PBC slider is simply the carriage and the rail.

I'm actually an engineer, we use these type of linear guides for numerous machinery applications. The "stickiness" as you call it actually the coefficient of friction. This boils down more to the material and how it glides or slides than the surface shape.

IGUS bearings are made of plastic that are self-lubricating, which you cannot oil, and glides on aluminum rails.

PBC bearings are made of teflon that are also self-lubricating, and you can also oil if you want a smoother surface, and glide on aluminum rail as well.

Brian Luce
October 1st, 2010, 01:05 PM
My Igus system is 2 pieces. A rail and a carriage.

I haven't seen the 14 piece Igus yet.

Zachary Olson
October 6th, 2010, 10:00 AM
Yeah, after you screw together and assemble the carriage it's 2 pieces. But not when they ship it.