Linear rails, shafts and carriages
The load-carrying side of linear motion. Profile rail guides give high stiffness and repeatability; a hardened shaft with linear bushings is simpler, cheaper and more tolerant of dirt. The choice is usually stiffness against cost — and stiffness is paid for not only in the rail but in machining the structure that carries it.
Types and variants
The distinct designs that sit under this category.
Profile rail guides, ball type
Equal load capacity in four directions — the CNC and automation standard. Preload class sets the stiffness.
Profile rail guides, roller type
More load and stiffness in the same size — for heavy machine tool axes.
Hardened shaft with linear ball bushing
Runs on a round shaft — economical and tolerant over long strokes.
Plain linear bearings and telescopic slides
Replace rolling types where motion is slow, dirty or shock-loaded.
Where it is used
The applications this category most often serves.
- CNC machine tool axes
- Portal and gantry robots
- Packaging and labelling machines
- Metrology and test rigs
- Welding and cutting automation
What we ask when selecting
What we need in order to find the right part. You do not need all of it — we can work out the rest together.
- Load and moment components
- Horizontal or vertical mounting? Moment load is often more decisive than the load itself.
- Stroke, speed and acceleration
- Rail length, carriage count and lubrication interval follow from these.
- Positioning repeatability
- The accuracy target sets the preload and precision class.
- Environment and protection
- With chips or dust, wipers, bellows or covers belong in the design from the start.
Other categories in this group
Send us the designation or the dimensions — we will find the match.
A code you cannot find in the catalogue, a faded marking on an old bearing, or just the dimensions — any of the three is enough. The wrong bearing costs more than a late one.