Belt linear actuator

Attached pics are of a PBC Linear actuator. I don't know what it's worth, but I scored it pretty cheap. The problem is, it's not a screw actuator but rather a belt actuator. It's about 4" square, 52" (maybe 54") long, and the carriage is about 11" long.
Here's a link to the manufactures web site:
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My question is, will this work for the Y axis, or is a belt actuator a bad idea all together? My machine is 48"X44"x6" and is an all aluminum construction. I was planning on this machine being able to cut everything up to, and including, aluminum. I don't know if this actuator would be good in a machine cutting aluminum but, if it would work for a wood cutting machine, then I'm good with only being able to cut wood with it.
Any advice would be most appreciated.
Thanks
-Michael