Connection Types Wiki · Framing, rails & extrusion

European 20-Series V-Slot

A continuous longitudinal V-groove channel running along the face of 20 mm modular aluminum extrusion profiles, featuring 45-degree chamfered outer lips that double as a guide track for dual V-wheels and a slot for T-nuts.

Illustration of a European 20-Series V-Slot
Stands for
V-slot = V-groove linear rail slot; 20-series = 20 mm modular framing system grid.
Gender
female
Connects by
threaded, fastened, insertion
Standards
OpenBuilds Open Source Hardware Specification; BS EN 755
Regions
worldwide

How it connects

Secures structurally via M3-M5 T-nuts/hammer nuts clamped against internal lips by tightening machine screws, or acts as a linear bearing guide rail via precision Delrin or polycarbonate V-wheels riding in the chamfered groove.

Male and female halves

Female channel profile that captures male T-nuts/slide-in fasteners or engages male V-profile guide wheels and alignment tabs.

Usually connects to

  • OpenBuilds Solid V Wheel / Dual V Wheel bearings
  • 20-series drop-in tee nuts (M3, M4, M5)
  • 20-series hammer nuts / roll-in nuts
  • 20-series slide-in T-nuts

Common sizes

  • Profile dimensions based on 20 mm increments (20x20 mm, 20x40 mm, 20x60 mm, 20x80 mm, 40x40 mm, C-Beam 40x80 mm). Slot opening approximately 6.0 mm to 6.2 mm wide with a ~6.1 mm internal depth.

Where it is used

3D printersCNC routerslaser cuttersroboticsmodular linear motion framing

Variations

  • Standard 2020 V-slot
  • 2040 V-slot
  • 2060 V-slot
  • 2080 V-slot
  • C-Beam 4080 V-slot

How to recognise it

Recognizable by the characteristic 45-degree chamfered bevels along both outer edges of the 6 mm channel opening on an extrusion with 20 mm grid dimensions.

Often confused with

Confused withHow to tell them apart
20-series standard T-slot channelStandard T-slot channels have square 90-degree outer opening lips, whereas V-slot channels feature distinct 45-degree chamfers designed for linear guide wheels.
80/20 10-series or 20-series standard metric T-slotIndustrial T-slots like 80/20 lack the precise 45-degree angled track lips required for dual V-wheel linear motion systems.

Also called

2020 V-slotOpenBuilds V-Slot20-series V-groove rail channel6mm V-slot

Good to know

Originally developed and released as open-source hardware by OpenBuilds. It is backward-compatible with standard 6 mm slot (20-series) T-nuts and hardware while offering linear motion capability.

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