Started last year on Kickstarter and now available through their website, as well as several other distributors, OpenBeam is a T-Slot aluminum framing systems that uses standard M3 nuts and bolts.

Introduction:

T-Slot extruded aluminum framing systems have been in use throughout the manufacturing and automation industries for machine building, prototyping and robotics applications for the past 30 years.  Unfortunately, all the vendors in this industry utilize a razor and blade business model; while the extrusions are priced low, they require the use of specialty nuts and plates, which can be priced as high as $3.00 per nut and $10.00 per joining plate.

Starter kits cost $80 and include:

• 4 pieces of 150mm long extrusion
• 4 pieces of 120mm long extrusion
• 4 pieces of 90mm long extrusion
• 4 pieces of 60mm long extrusion
• 4 pieces of 30mm long extrusion
• 8 pieces of T bracket
• 16 pieces of L bracket
• 100 pack of nuts, 100 pack of bolts and a 2mm hex key