Automotion's Linear Rails

More details: below we will go into more depth on the three main classes of linear rail system we supply.

1. What are linear guides?

A linear guide, also known as a linear guideway, linear bearing or linear rail, is a system which assists the movement and supports the load of a piece of equipment in a linear fashion, usually either vertically or horizontally.

Why choose a linear guide?

Of all the different types of linear rail systems these offer the highest load capacity and highest rigidity. Four rows of hardened ball bearings (or rollers in the case of the linear roller rails) are in direct contact with the raceways of the hardened rails, plus the length of rail is sitting directly onto the supporting structure, so there is no bend in the rails.

They are a highly accurate and repeatable system. As such, a pair of guides used together in parallel must be very accurately aligned for it to operate smoothly.

The hardened steel ball bearing rails also offer a unique ball cage in the carriages. A historical issue for this type of system was that the balls would accidentally be lost from the carriage if someone removed it from the rail - unfortunately rendering it useless and a new carriage required. With our ball cage versions this issue is eliminated, saving you money and time.

What choices of linear rail do I have?

• Hardened steel ball bearing linear rail
• Miniature linear guideways in hardened stainless steel
• Anodised aluminium ball bearing linear rail
• Heavy duty needle roller rail guideways
• Black oxide hardened steel ball bearing linear rail

For more in-depth information on our linear guide rails, please visit the linear guideways technical page.

2. What are compact rails and X-rails?

These rail systems are channel-type linear rails in which carriages with roller bearings run along the inside. As the carriages run inside the rails, rather than on top of the rails like the linear guide systems, it makes them very compact (hence the name!).

The compact rail is a precision machined rail with hardened raceways offering higher load capacities and accuracy than the X-rail. The X-rail system is a cold rolled rail system offering a economical solution to simple linear movement applications.

Why choose compact rails or X-rails?

The compact rail system is a unique linear rail, or linear guide system that is very easy to install and allows for some misalignment of the structure in which It is being used. As the pre-load, or stiffness, of the system is user-adjustable during set-up, compact rails are very operator-friendly. Induction hardened raceways on all rails and a precision ‘master’ rail ensure that this is still a high precision system, but with minimal set-up time, thus offering time/cost savings during the installation process.

The X-rail works on exactly the same principles of allowing some misalignment and user-adjustable pre-load, but offers a lower cost solution due to their construction.

What options are available?

• Master, ‘T’, and slave, ‘U’, rails to allow for misalignment
• Compact rail available with different coating options such as nickel and alloy to suit the environment they are being used in
• Zinc-plated steel X-rail for low cost solution
• AISI 316 stainless steel X-rail for use in marine (or corrosive) environments

More information on these products is available on our compact rails technical page and our X-rails technical page.

3. What are linear shafts and bearings?

A linear shaft is a straight, precision machined bar on which linear bearings run to create a linear guide system to support or guide the movement of equipment in a linear fashion. A linear bearing, also known as a linear ball bush or bushing, is a bearing that runs on the hardened linear shaft.

Why choose linear shafts and bearings?

With the aid of a support at each end, linear shafts and bearings are very quick and easy to set up. They don’t offer the high load capacities of a linear guide, and special consideration needs to be taken as to the size of shaft used so it doesn’t bend or deflect too much under the load placed upon it, but they are a compact, cost effective solution.

There are many styles of linear bushings to compliment the linear shafts, making it very easy to mount your moving piece of equipment to them. Finally, when being compared to linear guides, thanks to the recirculating balls inside the bushings, they offer a lower friction, more energy efficient solution than linear guides.

What linear shaft and bearing options are available?

• Hardened steel linear shafts
• Hollow shafts for weight saving
• 303 stainless steel shafts and 316 stainless steel shafts
• Hardened stainless steel linear shafts
• Shaft support rails for additional support
• Steel and stainless steel linear bushings
• Flanged bushings and linear bushing carriages for ease of mounting
• Specialist aluminium shafts and ceramic linear bushings

For more technical information, please refer to our linear shafts technical page.