How to find the right Linear Motion Slide Packs AI guide

Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.

What the AI looks for in Linear Motion Slide Packs

Bearing type: Choose recirculating ball bushings for low friction and precision, and plain polymer or bronze bearings for dirty, washdown or vibration-heavy environments. The bearing type decides friction, contamination tolerance and maintenance needs.
Shaft hardness and finish: Ball bushings need case-hardened, ground shafting. Plain bearings tolerate softer or anodized shafts only when their maker specifies it. Ball bushings brinell and wear grooves into soft shafts.
Shaft support: Use end-supported shafts only for short spans, and continuously supported rail with open bearings for long or heavily loaded travel. Shafts held only at the ends sag under load, and the sag grows rapidly with length.
Bearing spacing: Space the bearings on each shaft well apart relative to bearing length, as the maker recommends, so the carriage does not rack. Closely spaced bearings bind when driven off-center, especially plain bearings.
Shaft diameter and parallelism: Size the shaft from load and span, and align twin shafts parallel within the bearing's tolerance. Shafts that are out of parallel cause binding and uneven wear.

Thomson: Long-established maker of ball bushings and shaft-and-bearing assemblies.
PBC Linear: Known for plain-bearing shaft systems and supported rail.
igus: Polymer plain-bearing linear systems that run without lubrication.
Misumi: Configurable shafts, supports and bearing housings.
NB (Nippon Bearing): Offers ball bushings and slide units.