Guide Rails are designed to provide free motion in one dimension. Utilizing linear motion bearings, Guide Rails provide low-friction linear movement. Most Guide Rails use ball bearings, while others find benefits in using dovetail bearings or linear roller bearings.

Ball bearing slides are the most commonly used type of Guide Rails. Ball Guide Rails, offer smooth precision along a single-axis linear design, assisted by housed ball bearings of the Guide Rails block, with self lubrication properties that increase reliability.

Guide Rails can be constructed from materials such as aluminum; hardened cold rolled steel and galvanized steel. Guide Rails consist of two linear rows of ball bearings contained by four rods which are located on different sides of the bearing block. The Guide Rails ball bearings and rods provide support to the carriage for smooth linear movement along the ball bearings. Guide Rails bearing block low-friction linear movement can be powered by either a drive mechanism, inertia or by hand. Guide Rails can be limited to a lower load capacity for their size compared to other Guide Rails because the balls are less resistant to wear and abrasions.

The purpose for Guide Rails is to position objects as accurately as possible along a single axis. The two main parts to Guide Rails include a rail and a carriage. The rail of the Guide Rails is the stationary base in which the carriage slides along through rollers or bearings in order to minimize rolling friction and maximize efficiency. There are different types of Guide Rails fit for different industries and applications. For example, ball-bearing linear slides are typical for lighter duty and self-lubricating applications while dovetail Guide Rails are used for heavier loads.

The Guide Rails are ideal for a wide variety of industrial type applications. These Guide Rails applications include CNC, laser machining, drilling machines, grinding machines, material handling equipment, industrial robots, medical and optical equipment and many more. Guide Rails provide applications a smooth, fast and accurate positioning due to low friction. Guide Rails also provide the benefits of project cost reduction. The low coefficient of friction that Guide Rails offer allows users to downsize to smaller drives and motors.

Guide Rails can be configured in many different ways. The ranges of options Guide Rails have allow users to match the right Guide Rails to their application. Changes to these options makes up different types of Guide Rails. Some options that can be changed include preload, accuracy, and lubrication.

Some applications do not call for Guide Rails to be preloaded, even though preload is preferred because of the elimination of internal clearance and the increase of rigidity. The purpose of preload is mainly to reduce elastic deformation in Guide Rails caused by the load. The reduction of elastic deformation increases the rigidity of Guide Rails by applying stress in advance to the contact area between the raceways and rolling elements. Guide Rails usually have the options of standard, light, or heavy preload.

The accuracy of Guide Rails is determined by the accuracy combination of both the rail and the block. Manufacturers of Guide Rails usually offer an accuracy range from normal to high accuracy between blocks and rails. The quality of the mounting surface to which the linear rail is attached to also affects the accuracy of all Guide Rails as well. Because of this, Guide Rails should have a straight and parallel mounting face in order to ensure the accuracy of the Guide Rails.

The friction of Guide Rails affect power consumption, lower operating temperatures and increase the overall efficiency. The two types of friction for Guide Rails include static and dynamic friction. The frictional resistance of Guide Rails changes depending on the type, load, speed and lubricant. The primary reason for lubrication on Guide Rails is to keep raceways, rolling elements and cages from direct metal-to-metal contact. The performance of Guide Rails can be influenced by the lubrication. For this reason, it is important to select an adequate lubricant based on elements such as the bearing, load, and speed of the Guide Rails. The type of lubrication for Guide Rails includes oil or grease depending on the needs of the application.

The price of Guide Rails varies based on a number of factors. The factors that affect the cost of Guide Rails can include different preloads, precision, block dimensions, block types, and rail lengths. For standard-size Guide Rails with normal precision and normal preload, the cost for Guide Rails can start as low as $30.00. For Guide Rails with higher accuracy and higher preloads, Guide Rails can go up to $100. The different rail-length options for Guide Rails can start at $20.00 for the shortest length and as much as $500 for the longer lengths. Prices may vary also with the type of materials used and any special requests made by the customer.

Depending on the application's environment, Guide Rails require different types of accessories. The basic accessories of Guide Rails can include covers, limit switch side mounts, lubrication systems, or coating. Each accessory for Guide Rails can play an integral role in the protection and operation of these precision devices.

Most Guide Rails will use either an accordion cover or telescoping cover. These covers protect Guide Rails from dust particles, chips, and other contaminants that may affect the precision and smooth operation of the rail and block. Accordion covers and the telescoping covers are recommended for Guide Rails to protect bearings and screws from these elements.

Limit switch side mounts can be installed on Guide Rails to accommodate applications that require this option. This allows the Guide Rails to implement hard stop, soft stop, or home positions along a linear axis.

Guide Rails have a few options when it comes to lubrication. Applications may call for a manual or automatic lubrication system. Both systems offer an efficient method of supplying oil to Guide Rails providing the advantages of smooth operation, cleanliness, and safety. The manual system on Guide Rails uses a handle pump or injector, while the automatic system may use an electric gear motor pump lubricator with a built-in time controller.

Other accessories for Guide Rails include special coatings. Rails and blocks can be treated with a special coating depending on the environmental conditions of the Guide Rails. Coatings can consist of corrosion or abrasion resistant, in addition to a dry film lubricant reducing friction and wear increasing the life of the Guide Rails.

Basic lubrication by the manufacturer has reduced the maintenance requirement to re-lubricating the guide rails and of the ball screw drives in accordance with operating conditions. The fixed and floating bearings are greased for life, and therefore under normal operating conditions they do not need to be re-lubricated. Overall maintenance of linear tables is low, but it should be checked periodically for cabling, connecting, motor and drive issues.

Basic lubrication by the manufacturer has reduced the maintenance requirement to re-lubricating the guide rails and of the ball screw drives in accordance with operating conditions. The fixed and floating bearings are greased for life, and therefore under normal operating conditions they do not need to be re-lubricated. Overall maintenance of a linear table is low, but it should be checked periodically for cabling, connecting, motor and drive issues.

Basic lubrication by the manufacturer has reduced the maintenance requirement to re-lubricating the guide rails and of the ball screw drives in accordance with operating conditions. The fixed and floating bearings are greased for life, and therefore under normal operating conditions they do not need to be re-lubricated. Overall maintenance of a linear stage is low, but it should be checked periodically for cabling, connecting, motor and drive issues.

Basic lubrication by the manufacturer has reduced the maintenance requirement to re-lubricating the guide rails and of the ball screw drives in accordance with operating conditions. The fixed and floating bearings are greased for life, and therefore under normal operating conditions they do not need to be re-lubricated. Overall maintenance of table slides is low, but it should be checked periodically for cabling, connecting, motor and drive issues.

Basic lubrication by the manufacturer has reduced the maintenance requirement to re-lubricating the guide rails and of the ball screw drives in accordance with operating conditions. The fixed and floating bearings are greased for life, and therefore under normal operating conditions they do not need to be re-lubricated. Overall maintenance of a table slide is low, but it should be checked periodically for cabling, connecting, motor and drive issues.

Basic lubrication by the manufacturer has reduced the maintenance requirement to re-lubricating the guide rails and of the ball screw drives in accordance with operating conditions. The fixed and floating bearings are greased for life, and therefore under normal operating conditions they do not need to be re-lubricated. Overall maintenance of slide tables is low, but it should be checked periodically for cabling, connecting, motor and drive issues.

Basic lubrication by the manufacturer has reduced the maintenance requirement to re-lubricating the guide rails and of the ball screw drives in accordance with operating conditions. The fixed and floating bearings are greased for life, and therefore under normal operating conditions they do not need to be re-lubricated. Overall maintenance of positioning tables is low, but it should be checked periodically for cabling, connecting, motor and drive issues.

Basic lubrication by the manufacturer has reduced the maintenance requirement to re-lubricating the guide rails and of the ball screw drives in accordance with operating conditions. The fixed and floating bearings are greased for life, and therefore under normal operating conditions they do not need to be re-lubricated. Overall maintenance of a screw driven table is low, but it should be checked periodically for cabling, connecting, motor and drive issues.

Basic lubrication by the manufacturer has reduced the maintenance requirement to re-lubricating the guide rails and of the ball screw drives in accordance with operating conditions. The fixed and floating bearings are greased for life, and therefore under normal operating conditions they do not need to be re-lubricated. Overall maintenance of screw driven tables is low, but it should be checked periodically for cabling, connecting, motor and drive issues.

Basic lubrication by the manufacturer has reduced the maintenance requirement to re-lubricating the guide rails and of the ball screw drives in accordance with operating conditions. The fixed and floating bearings are greased for life, and therefore under normal operating conditions they do not need to be re-lubricated. Overall maintenance of a positioning table is low, but it should be checked periodically for cabling, connecting, motor and drive issues.

Basic lubrication by the manufacturer has reduced the maintenance requirement to re-lubricating the guide rails and of the ball screw drives in accordance with operating conditions. The fixed and floating bearings are greased for life, and therefore under normal operating conditions they do not need to be re-lubricated. Overall maintenance of positioning stages is low, but it should be checked periodically for cabling, connecting, motor and drive issues.

Basic lubrication by the manufacturer has reduced the maintenance requirement to re-lubricating the guide rails and of the ball screw drives in accordance with operating conditions. The fixed and floating bearings are greased for life, and therefore under normal operating conditions they do not need to be re-lubricated. Overall maintenance of a positioning stage is low, but it should be checked periodically for cabling, connecting, motor and drive issues.