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How to choose an aluminium profile for a sim racing cockpit
SimSlot Sim Racing Cockpits are built from industrial T-slot aluminium profile with a slot 8 (I-type) groove. This guide shows how to pick the right section for a wheelbase, pedal deck, seat and monitor frame.
1. Start with the load, not the price
A direct drive wheelbase puts torque and vibration into the front of the frame. Pedals push against the rear of the pedal deck. The seat carries your weight. The more of these a profile carries, the larger the section should be. Small sections flex and make force feedback feel vague.
2. Compare sections with numbers
The table shows the moment of inertia about the weaker and stronger axis of our natural anodised profiles. A bigger value means the profile bends less under the same load.
| Section | Weight kg/m | Ix / Iy cm⁴ |
|---|---|---|
| 40×40 (Eco) | 1.33 | 7.36 / 7.36 |
| 40×40 (Light) | 1.775 | 9.26 / 9.26 |
| 40×40 (Heavy) | 2.47 | 14.24 / 14.24 |
| 80×40 (Light) | 3.09 | 17.07 / 70.91 |
| 120×40 (Light) | 4.321 | 24.41 / 220.1 |
Values are manufacturer values from the TSLOT catalogue 10/2026. The profile is EN AW-6063 T66 aluminium.
3. Match the section to the part of the rig
- Main frame and wheelbase deck: 80×40 or larger, loaded across its tall side.
- Pedal deck and seat rails: 80×40 for stiffness, 40×40 where space is tight.
- Monitor stands, cable runs and light frames: 40×40.
4. Pick the surface
Natural anodised looks like raw aluminium and is hard wearing. Black anodised hides marks in a dark room. The slot size is the same, so T-nuts and brackets fit both.
5. Order it cut to length
All our profiles are sold by the metre and cut to your length from 50 to 2000 mm, with optional holes and threaded ends. You also get 3D and CAD files on the product page.