Linear guideways

A linear guideway allows a type of linear motion that utilizes rolling elements such as balls or rollers. By using recirculating rolling elements between the rail and the block, a linear guideway can achieve high precision linear motion. Compared to a traditional slide, the coefficient of friction for a linear guideway is only 1/50th. Because of the restraint effect between the rails and the blocks, linear guideways can take up loads in both the up/down and the left/right directions. With these features, linear guideways can greatly enhance moving accuracy, especially, when accompanied with precision ball screws.

Advantages and Features of Linear Guideways

(1) High positional accuracy

When a load is driven by a linear motion guideway, the frictional contact between the load and the bed is rolling contact. The coefficient of friction is only 1/50th of traditional contact, and the difference between the dynamic and the static coefficient of friction is small. Therefore, there would be no slippage while the load is moving.

(2) Long life with high motion accuracy

With a traditional slide, errors in accuracy are caused by the counter flow of the oil film. Insufficient lubrication causes wear between the contact surfaces, which become increasingly inaccurate. In contrast, rolling contact has little wear; therefore, machines can achieve a long life with highly accurate motion.

(3) High speed motion is possible with a low driving force

Because linear guideways have little friction resistance, only a small driving force is needed to move a load. This results in greater power savings, especially in the moving parts of a system. This is especially true for the reciprocating parts.

(4) Equal loading capacity in all directions

With this special design, these linear guideways can take loads in either the vertical or horizontal directions. Conventional linear slides can only take small loads in the direction parallel to the contact surface. They are also more likely to become inaccurate when they are subjected to these loads.

(5) Easy installation

Installing a linear guideway is fairly easy. Grinding or milling the machine surface, following a recommended installation procedure, and tightening the bolts to their specified torque can achieve highly accurate linear motion.

(6) Easy lubrication

With a traditional sliding system, insufficient lubrication causes wear on the contact surfaces. Also, it can be quite difficult to supply sufficient lubrication to the contact surfaces because finding an appropriate lubrication point is not very easy. With a linear motion guideway, grease can be easily supplied through the grease nipple on the linear guideway block. It is also possible to utilize a centralized oil lubrication system by piping the lubrication oil to the piping joint.

(7) Interchangeability

Compared with traditional boxways or v-groove slides, linear guideways can be easily replaced should any damage occur. for high precision grades consider ordering a matched, non-interchangeable, assembly of a block and rail.