Automotion Components Miniature Linear Guideways
What are miniature linear rails?
Miniature linear rails or guideways are systems supporting the movement of items or loads along a defined path. Our miniature linear rails allow travel along a straight line path and are smaller, more compact versions of our linear rail range. They are generally made of hardened, corrosion resistant stainless steels.
Features
Miniature linear guideway systems are widely used throughout industry for precise, compact applications.
Precise and stainless
The gothic arch shape of the rails have a 45° contact ensuring similar load capacities in all directions. Use of a large number of stainless steel balls enables a high moment and load capacity within a compact space. These smooth running rails have low break-away forces and a low coefficient of friction.
Stainless steel
Anti-corrosion for use in scientific, medical and pharmaceutical applications.
Standard and wide versions
Our standard width is a compact, high performance rail in six sizes.
The wide version can generally accept higher loads and moment forces, and as a result are especially suited for single rail applications.
Stocked
7 rail profiles ready for same day despatch. Interchangeable with other manufacturers part numbers including THK, INA, Bosch, IKO etc.
Rail Sizes
General Guidance
Load capacities - explained
- A number of load figures are stated for load capacity:
Dynamic loads – this is the main figure considered for miniature linear guideways. It is the moving load that the system can bear. It takes account of the total moving load as well as considerations such as impact, vibration and fatigue.
Static loads – this is a load that is constant for an extended time (i.e. the dead load the system can bear before any movement). It can be in tension or compression.
For these miniature linear guideways the radial and axial load capacities are the same.
Moment loads are twisting loads generated by off set loads in either X, Y or Z planes. Moment loads can be reduced by adding further carriages or rails to reduce any twisting of the carriage due to the load off set.
Why is there a standard width and a wide version rail?
- The wider version system is generally used as a single rail system as it can accept higher loads and moment loads, whilst maintaining a very low height.
- The standard width rail can be used either as stand-alone rails or are more frequently used as a pair of rails in parallel.
Straightness of rails
- The measurements of the straightness of the system are taken from the running accuracy of the sliders over the length of the rails (given in microns) – see accuracy and preload page. For standard accuracy this equates to around 15μ for a 300mm length, increasing to 25μ for a 1 metre length.
What lengths can be provided?
- We have standard rail lengths. These are based on the hole pitch of the rails and end machining to provide an equidistant length to the fi rst and last hole centre.
- However we can cut the rail (from stock) to any length required – we just need to know the distance required for the first hole.
- In general our cutting procedures allow for a ±2mm accuracy on the overall rail length. If greater accuracy than this is required then we have to machine the end accurately (rather than cut it) and this involves extra time and cost.
- Standard maximum length for each rail size is around 1 metre. Rails can be joined together but the preparation needs to be made in our workshop. The rails will be marked clearly with the ends to be placed adjacent to each other.
Installation
- The miniature linear guideways are very accurate and as a result need to be installed on accurately prepared surfaces - please see installation instructions. If two rails are installed in parallel, they need to be precisely aligned - see assembly precision page.
Mounting the carriages to the rails
- In general the carriages will be supplied separately to the rails. The carriages are supplied mounted on plastic “dummy” blocks. To install the carriage onto the rails, offer the carriage (still on its dummy block) up to the rails and slide off the dummy block and onto the rail itself.
Do not simply remove the carriage from the dummy block, as some of the bearings might become displaced, rendering the carriage unusable.
The wide version is available in 7 different profile sizes, from 4mm to 42mm wide. The size 42 has dual fixing holes for a more secure installation.
The wide version is often used in single rail applications due to its increase load capacities, unlike the standard width, which is predominately used in pairs.
