The purpose of a linear guide is to position objects as accurately as possible along a single axis. The two main parts to the linear guide include a rail and a carriage. The rail of the linear guide 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 linear guide fit for different industries and applications. For example, ball-bearing linear slides are typical for lighter duty and self-lubricating applications while the dovetail linear guide is used for heavier loads.

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

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

Some applications do not call for the linear guide 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 a linear guide caused by the load. The reduction of elastic deformation increases the rigidity of the linear guide by applying stress in advance to the contact area between the raceways and rolling elements. Linear guide products usually have the options of standard, light, or heavy preload.

The accuracy of the linear guide is determined by the accuracy combination of both the rail and the block. Manufacturers of linear guide products 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 linear guide products as well. Because of this, a linear guide should have a straight and parallel mounting face in order to ensure the accuracy of the linear guide.

The friction of the linear guide affects power consumption, lower operating temperatures and increase the overall efficiency. The two types of friction for linear guide products include static and dynamic friction. The frictional resistance of a linear guide changes depending on the type, load, speed and lubricant. The primary reason for lubrication on a linear guide is to keep raceways, rolling elements and cages from direct metal-to-metal contact. The performance of the linear guide 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 linear guide. The type of lubrication for a linear guide includes oil or grease depending on the needs of the application.

The price of a linear guide varies based on a number of factors. The factors that affect the cost of a linear guide can include different preloads, precision, block dimensions, block types, and rail lengths. For standard-size linear guide products with normal precision and normal preload, the cost for the linear guide can start as low as $30.00. For a linear guide with higher accuracy and higher preloads, a linear guide can go up to $100. The different rail-length options for linear guide products 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.

The Linear Guide is designed to provide free motion in one dimension. Utilizing linear motion bearings, the linear guide provides low-friction linear movement. Most linear guide products 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 linear guide. The ball bearing linear guide offers smooth precision along a single-axis linear design, assisted by housed ball bearings of the linear guide block, with self lubrication properties that increase reliability.

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

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

Most linear guide products will use either an accordion cover or telescoping cover. These covers protect the linear guide 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 a linear guide to protect bearings and screws from these elements.

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

Linear guide products 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 the linear guide while providing the advantages of smooth operation, cleanliness, and safety. The manual system on a linear guide 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 linear guide products include special coatings. Rails and blocks can be treated with a special coating depending on the environmental conditions of the linear guide. Coatings can consist of corrosion or abrasion resistant, in addition to a dry film lubricant which reduces friction and wear increasing the life of the linear guide.