Hardware for lift up shelves/elevators

Hi Carl - As a matter of interest, how much mis-alignment or gap between the fixed and moving rail ends did you find was workable? I am currently designing an elevator to get between levels in my planned double-decker, and am also trying to figure out the required precision.

btw - my elevator is taking the place of an over-ambitious grade with passing siding, so i have elected to go for a two-track design, one moving in the opposite direction of the other, which will simulate the meet-and-wait operation quite nicely. It also has the side effect of being inherently balanced, so I am planning to do the movement by means of a toothed “timing belt” and pulleys. It looks good so far, but I am unsure about the accurate location at the top and bottom of travel.

Bob

The most interesting thing I learned was that a diagonal cut across the track worked better than a cut straight across. As long as the gaps were staggered so that only one wheel was off the rail at a time, the cars would roll across without a problem.

The wheelbase of the trucks I used was about 3/4". The trucks were also rigid. The most extreme case I tested was a 1/4" gap in the left rail followed by a 1/4" gap in the right rail. I was amazed that the cars rolled right across without complaining.

Wow! 1/4" is way more than I would have expected, and I hope way more than I can achieve with some careful engineering. By including some sort of homing guides or stop blocks at the ends of travel I was expecting to be able to get within 1mm (or whatever that is in inches). I also suspect that vertical and horizontal misalignment will be more of an issue than a straight gap.

Bob

Have just the same question!