Rolamite - for low friction bearings

[ken_nyus]

(not sure what section to post this in, maybe we need a materials + techniques section?)

Anyone here have any experience in building or using Rolamite devices as low friction bearings?

The basic idea looks simple, and I put a small rolamite together to play with, but I wasn't happy with the results. I used metal tape as the flexible band.

I am looking at this because I need a good low friction, non-magnetic linear bearing, and Rolamites look easy to fabricate.

[hansvonlieven]

G'day Ken,

Since rolamite technology is very little known I am including here a link where the technology is explained.

Fascinating concept

Hans von Lieven

http://www.rexresearch.com/wilkes/1wilkes.htm

[ken_nyus]

And here is the Rotary Rolamite:

http://erikbrinkman.com/scroller/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-BK_iEJ7Go

[hansvonlieven]

Good stuff Ken, keep it coming :-)

Hans

[ken_nyus]

Worked up a rolamite, works good enough to build another and try and make a linear slide out of these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-1Drlfuoi4