Linear ball bearings and round shafts are often used in applications that call for ease of use and simple mounting requirements. For example, where profiled rail guides require full support along their length, linear ball bearings, or bushings, can be used in many applications with shafts that are supported only at their ends. However, unlike […]
Slides + guides (all)
THK develops smoothest moving miniature LM Guide, the Type RSX
New from THK, the Type RSX Miniature LM Guide offers the smoothest movement in its class. Featuring, an optimized circulation structure, it achieves smoother movement than existing miniature LM Guides. The compact outer dimensions of the Type RSX enable the realization of space-saving designs. It is available in a standard Type RSX-M and a Type […]
THK debuts high load capacity, high reliability telescopic-type utility slider
THK’s new Telescopic Type ATG Utility Slider combines proven smooth motion technology with fully hardened raceways to enable high load capacity and ensure a long service life. The Type ATG uses THK Circular-Arc Raceways for equal to or higher permissible load capacities than Gothic Arch Raceway designs. Circular-Arc Technology achieves less differential slip between the […]
What to consider when specifying a linear slide
Here are some considerations when specifying a linear slide for a new or existing application. By Mike Quinn • LM76 When a design engineer has fully defined a linear-motion application’s requirements regarding travel length, speed, force, and accuracy as well as repeatability, the next question to answer is this: Does an off-the-shelf linear slide (or […]
What are fixed and floating bearings in the context of linear motion?
There are two instances when the terms “fixed bearing” and “floating bearing” are used in linear motion: to describe the support bearings used on ball and lead screws, and to describe linear guides mounted in parallel. And while the meanings of the terms are the same in both situations, their applications are different in each […]
Kollmorgen’s DS4/6 high-precision modular positioning tables offer superior design flexibility
The DS4/6 Series is Kollmorgen’s most versatile and modular line of positioning tables, offering design flexibility and a wide variety of configurations for high-precision positioning applications. The DS4/6 series is available in single and multi-axis configurations, including XY, XZ, XYZ and Cartesian arrangements. The tables are driven by a precision ball screw (with 5, 10 […]
What are boxway slides and where are they used?
Recirculating linear guides get significant media attention, thanks to their versatility and wide range of uses. But linear guides based on sliding contact — namely boxway and dovetail slides — are often the bearings of choice for applications that call for high load capacity, extreme stiffness, and excellent vibration damping characteristics. Boxway slides are a type […]
Linear guides with more rollers feature high load capacities
NB Corporation’s EXRAIL linear guide has more rollers in less space than other linear bearings, which increases load capacity and disperses the load more evenly. It has longer rollers for greater contact surface and less contact pressure. In comparison to presently available linear guides, the EXRAIL slide guide provides smoother movement. It uses multiple small […]
Motion basics: How to define roll, pitch, and yaw for linear systems
Linear guides and systems — including Cartesian robots, gantry systems, and XY tables — are typically subjected to both linear forces due to downward, upward, and side loads and rotational forces due to overhung loads. Rotational forces — also referred to as moment forces — are typically defined as roll, pitch, and yaw, based on […]
When do you need to consider thermal expansion in linear guide systems?
Most materials used in linear systems have a positive coefficient of linear thermal expansion — that is, when their temperature is increased, they expand in length, and when their temperature is decreased, they contract in length. One notable exception is Kevlar, the aramid from DuPont, which is sometimes used for tensile cords in toothed belts. […]
