POWER TRANSMISSION REFERENCE
GUIDE
Comparing options for
linear bearings, slides, and guides LINEAR-MOTION
devices incorporating ball and roller elements include plain
bearings, ball bushings, recirculating roller bearings. Confusing matters is the fact that industry uses many linear-motion terms interchangeably … and many terms such as linear guides are so generic that they can refer to any one of several different products. While the plain-bearing guide taxonomy has less variability in terminology and specification, ball and roller linear guides have quite a lot. So let’s review all these terms that are used to identify, describe, and specify them. In many though not all cases, the term linear guide indicates a standalone guide rod, ball slide, or mechanism solely for guiding loads. In contrast, many manufacturers use the terms linear slide and linear rail to indicate a linear-motion guide element that is incorporated into an integrated build complete with mechanical drive. The term linear stage generally implies a design has guided elements as well as some mode of mechanical linear actuation and reinforced body — often sans inclusion of the motor.
Plain bearing linear guides can be boxway, dovetail, or shaft and bushing design.
LINEAR-BEARING DESIGNS BASED ON SLIDING CONTACT
BOXWAY PLAIN BEARING
14
DESIGN WORLD — MOTION
DOVETAIL PLAIN BEARING
5 • 2020
BUSHING PLAIN BEARING
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