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Telescopic Rudder Slider

Process

The process began by defining the critical functional requirements of a U-shaped linear rail system intended to support smooth guided motion with minimal friction. The base plate and vertical sidewalls were created using box primitives, with precise constraints applied to thickness and spacing. Bearing grooves were modeled as cut-outs on the sidewalls to house standard spherical bearings, which were then added parametrically in a symmetric array. The inner rail was positioned centrally and iteratively adjusted to interface correctly with the bearings. Concave grooves were carved into the rail’s sides to ensure proper contact and rolling alignment. Finally, a top circular pocket was introduced to accommodate a rudder mount, demonstrating multi-surface operations and axial symmetry.

Result

The final design achieves a physically plausible, manufacturable assembly for a linear motion guide system. The successful integration of concave grooves in the inner rail, precisely aligned with bearing centers which enables realistic contact behavior and visual clarity. This model effectively demonstrates the use of parametric CAD modeling to resolve alignment and clearance challenges in mechanical assemblies. The project's outcome showcases both CAD fluency and mechanical design reasoning, especially in aligning bearing paths, controlling fit with tolerance buffers, and ensuring kinematic compatibility between components. The addition of the rudder pocket enhances real-world applicability, particularly for use in UAVs or lightweight robotics platforms requiring linear stability and modularity.

Standards

ISO 15, ISO 2768-m, ISO 286

This model replicates a linear bearing guide system used in CNC machines and aviation rudder linkages. It demonstrates precise parametric modeling, proper contact geometry between rolling elements, and design realism. The project showcases effective bearing groove mating and rail-slot kinematics in a purely script-driven CAD pipeline.

Code Snippet
# Define a sweep path slightly longer than the rail
sweep_len = inner_len + 10
path = cq.Workplane("XY").moveTo(-sweep_len / 2, 0).lineTo(sweep_len / 2, 0)

# Right-side groove profile and sweep
groove_profile_r = cq.Workplane("YZ").center(inner_w / 2, groove_z).circle(ball_dia / 2)
groove_r = groove_profile_r.sweep(path).translate((-base_len * 0.2, 0, 0))

# Left-side groove profile and sweep (mirrored)
groove_profile_l = cq.Workplane("YZ").center(-inner_w / 2, groove_z).circle(ball_dia / 2)
groove_l = groove_profile_l.sweep(path).translate((-base_len * 0.2, 0, 0))

# Cut grooves from the inner rail
inner_rail = inner_body.cut(groove_r).cut(groove_l)

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