<p>They are 2020 (20mm x 20mm) T-slot extrusions. They should not be confused with V-slot extrusions, which are similar to T-slot, but have a 45-degree slot profile to accommodate V-slot wheels.</p>

<p>If you are contemplating a new build, I would recommend using V-slot. Note that T-slot and V-slot come in a number of sizes (in multiples of 20mm). A 2040 profile is 20mm x 40mm, and will have two slots on the wider sides. Other sizes are available, such as 2060, 2080, 4040, and even C-shaped profiles.</p>

<p>You may want to use 2040 profiles for greater rigidity, especially if you are contemplating a large build volume.</p>

<p>Note that there are imperial as well as metric T-slot profiles. RepRap uses metric profiles.</p>

<p><a href="http://reprap.org/wiki/T-Slot" rel="nofollow noreferrer">ReRap Wiki: T-slot</a></p>

<p><a href="http://openbuildspartstore.com/linear-rail/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">OpenBuilds: V-slot</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-25T18:39:56.513Z
2017-11-25T19:22:41.977Z
2017-11-25T19:22:41.977Z
Mick
<p>The specs for 2020 aluminum profile is here.
<a href="https://8020.net/20-2020-black-fb.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://8020.net/20-2020-black-fb.html</a>
This site even has the cad profile files for download.</p>

<p>I have noticed that some people have suggested using V-Slot from
open builds... however, V-Slot has a V for the V groove wheels which this design is not using so in my opinion there is absolutely no reason to pay a lot more for V-Slot when your not even using V groove wheels.</p>

<p>I have also noticed that some people have suggested using 2040 T-Slot and the
link above has a search and you can find the profile for 2040 T-Slot.
I agree that T-Slot could be better; however, I would build first
with 2020 T-Slot to see for yourself and then report your findings after
upgrading to 2040 T-Slot. My guess is that you will find that 2020 T-Slot is enough if you use the recommend corner brackets... if your planning on using 3D printed corner brackets... then it might be necessary to use 2040 T-Slot.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-07T20:31:06.763Z
2018-06-07T20:55:04.927Z
2018-06-07T20:55:04.927Z
Edoctoor
<p>It can really depend on where you are in the world. A few years ago, I was unable to obtain standard V-slot (&amp; T-nut) 2020 extrusion, at a reasonable price, and so I ended up using an extrusion from a local supplier instead, and managed to obtain 6&nbsp;m of extrusion for only $15!</p>

<p>My aluminium extrusion has this profile, which has V-Slot style grooves. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Vzce3.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" title="2020 Aluminium Extrusion BKK#2"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Vzce3.jpg" alt="2020 Aluminium Extrusion BKK#2" title="2020 Aluminium Extrusion BKK#2"></a></p>

<p>Also, it uses simple, and <em>cheap</em>, M5 nuts, rather than T-nuts, which are much more expensive (comparatively)</p>

<p>Please see <a href="https://engineering.stackexchange.com/questions/13471/will-standard-m5-t-slot-nuts-fit-these-different-2020-aluminium-extrusions">Will standard M5 T-slot nuts fit these different 2020 aluminium extrusions?</a>, for more information.</p>

<p>You can also use 1515, depending on the size of the printer... if you have a larger printer design then you can always double up and use two adjacent lengths of 1515 to effectively have 3015 (or 2040 - if using two pieces of 2020). Basically use whatever is available and cheap, it isn't necessary to pay a lot of money, just to have the perfect extrusion profile. Remember that you are designing/building the printer yourself, so you will have some leeway. Other sizes that may be available to use are 2525, 2040, 3030, 3060, etc.. </p>

<p>However, if you are using 3D printed parts for the frame (such as the end or corner pieces), then you may be restricted in what type of extrusion that you can use, by the printed parts themselves and what type of extrusion they will fit. However, if you are only using aluminium parts for the frame (including aluminium corner brackets/braces) then you <em>should be</em> OK.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-20T10:14:39.257Z
2018-06-20T10:14:39.257Z
Greenonline
<p>I have seen some photos of aluminum based Prusa i3 printers, and I like to know the numbers and the specs of the profiles? Also I want to know Is the first pic strong enough for reliable printer or I must use the second(respect to profiles I mean).</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/JcgdB.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/JcgdB.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/qjfBM.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/qjfBM.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-07T21:01:24.013Z
A printer design like this would benefit a lot from a diagonal bracket to stiffen up the vertical part.
Tom van der Zanden
<prusa-i3>
I am looking for the aluminum profile parts specs for this prusa i3 printer?
WDR
# I am looking for the aluminum profile parts specs for this prusa i3 printer?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-11-25)

I have seen some photos of aluminum based Prusa i3 printers, and I like to know the numbers and the specs of the profiles? Also I want to know Is the first pic strong enough for reliable printer or I must use the second(respect to profiles I mean).

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/JcgdB.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/JcgdB.jpg)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/qjfBM.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/qjfBM.jpg)

**Tags:** prusa-i3
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: A printer design like this would benefit a lot from a diagonal bracket to stiffen up the vertical part.  

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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-11-25. Score: 4

They are 2020 (20mm x 20mm) T-slot extrusions. They should not be confused with V-slot extrusions, which are similar to T-slot, but have a 45-degree slot profile to accommodate V-slot wheels.

If you are contemplating a new build, I would recommend using V-slot. Note that T-slot and V-slot come in a number of sizes (in multiples of 20mm). A 2040 profile is 20mm x 40mm, and will have two slots on the wider sides. Other sizes are available, such as 2060, 2080, 4040, and even C-shaped profiles.

You may want to use 2040 profiles for greater rigidity, especially if you are contemplating a large build volume.

Note that there are imperial as well as metric T-slot profiles. RepRap uses metric profiles.

[ReRap Wiki: T-slot](http://reprap.org/wiki/T-Slot)

[OpenBuilds: V-slot](http://openbuildspartstore.com/linear-rail/)


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### Answer by username_3 on 2018-06-07. Score: 3

The specs for 2020 aluminum profile is here.
<https://8020.net/20-2020-black-fb.html>
This site even has the cad profile files for download.

I have noticed that some people have suggested using V-Slot from
open builds... however, V-Slot has a V for the V groove wheels which this design is not using so in my opinion there is absolutely no reason to pay a lot more for V-Slot when your not even using V groove wheels.

I have also noticed that some people have suggested using 2040 T-Slot and the
link above has a search and you can find the profile for 2040 T-Slot.
I agree that T-Slot could be better; however, I would build first
with 2020 T-Slot to see for yourself and then report your findings after
upgrading to 2040 T-Slot. My guess is that you will find that 2020 T-Slot is enough if you use the recommend corner brackets... if your planning on using 3D printed corner brackets... then it might be necessary to use 2040 T-Slot.


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2018-06-20. Score: 1

It can really depend on where you are in the world. A few years ago, I was unable to obtain standard V-slot (& T-nut) 2020 extrusion, at a reasonable price, and so I ended up using an extrusion from a local supplier instead, and managed to obtain 6 m of extrusion for only $15!

My aluminium extrusion has this profile, which has V-Slot style grooves.

[![2020 Aluminium Extrusion BKK#2](https://i.sstatic.net/Vzce3.jpg "2020 Aluminium Extrusion BKK#2")](https://i.sstatic.net/Vzce3.jpg "2020 Aluminium Extrusion BKK#2")

Also, it uses simple, and *cheap*, M5 nuts, rather than T-nuts, which are much more expensive (comparatively)

Please see [Will standard M5 T-slot nuts fit these different 2020 aluminium extrusions?](https://engineering.stackexchange.com/questions/13471/will-standard-m5-t-slot-nuts-fit-these-different-2020-aluminium-extrusions), for more information.

You can also use 1515, depending on the size of the printer... if you have a larger printer design then you can always double up and use two adjacent lengths of 1515 to effectively have 3015 (or 2040 - if using two pieces of 2020). Basically use whatever is available and cheap, it isn't necessary to pay a lot of money, just to have the perfect extrusion profile. Remember that you are designing/building the printer yourself, so you will have some leeway. Other sizes that may be available to use are 2525, 2040, 3030, 3060, etc..

However, if you are using 3D printed parts for the frame (such as the end or corner pieces), then you may be restricted in what type of extrusion that you can use, by the printed parts themselves and what type of extrusion they will fit. However, if you are only using aluminium parts for the frame (including aluminium corner brackets/braces) then you *should be* OK.


---

