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.
Miniature linear guideway systems are widely used throughout industry for precise, compact applications.
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
Load capacities - explained
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?
Straightness of rails
What lengths can be provided?
Installation
Mounting the carriages to the rails
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.
Dimensions | μ | |
h1 | Height tolerance h1 | ±40 |
h1 | Permissible height difference of different carriages at the same position on the rail | 25 |
W4 | Width tolerance w4 | ±40 |
W4 | Permissible width difference of different carriages at the same position on the rail | 30 |
Note: the running accuracy of the linear guideway depends greatly on the surface on which they are mounted; inaccuracies in the mounting surface can adversely affect the running accuracy and decrease the service life of the product (see below for equations relating to service lifetime).
The miniature linear guideways are available in the two different preload classes K0 and KS. The preload influences the rigidity, precision and torque resistance as well as offering the product service life and displacement force. The standard preload is K0.
Type | Small K0Very quiet running (μ) | Standard KsQuiet and precise running (μ) |
L1010.03 & L1012.06 | +3 to 0 | +1 to 0 |
L1010.05 & L1012.10 | +3 to 0 | +1 to 0 |
L1010.07 & L1012.14 | +4 to 0 | +2 to 0 |
L1010.09 & L1012.18 | +4 to 0 | +2 to 0 |
L1010.12 & L1012.24 | +5 to 0 | +2 to 0 |
L1010.15 & L1012.42 | +6 to 0 | +3 to 0 |
L1010 - Standard width carriage for miniature linear rails
Type | dyn. Crad & Cax N | stat. C0rad & C0ax N | Mx Nm | My Nm | Mz Nm |
L1010.C03 | 190 | 310 | 0,6 | 0,4 | 0,4 |
L1010.C03L | 295 | 575 | 0,9 | 1,1 | 1,1 |
L1010.C05 | 335 | 550 | 1,7 | 1,0 | 1,0 |
L1010.C05L | 470 | 900 | 2,4 | 2,1 | 2,1 |
L1010.C07 | 890 | 1400 | 5,2 | 3,3 | 3,3 |
L1010.C07L | 1310 | 2440 | 9,0 | 7,7 | 7,7 |
L1010.C09 | 1570 | 2495 | 11,7 | 6,4 | 6,4 |
L1010.C09L | 2135 | 3880 | 18,2 | 12,4 | 12,4 |
L1010.C12 | 2308 | 3465 | 21,5 | 12,9 | 12,9 |
L1010.C12L | 3240 | 5630 | 34,9 | 30,2 | 30,2 |
L1010.C15 | 3810 | 5590 | 43,6 | 27,0 | 27,0 |
L1010.C15L | 5350 | 9080 | 70,0 | 63,0 | 63,0 |
Type | dyn. Crad & Cax N | stat. C0rad & C0ax N | Mx Nm | My Nm | Mz Nm |
L1012.C04L | 310 | 625 | 1,6 | 1,2 | 1,2 |
L1012.C06 | 280 | 530 | 1,6 | 0,9 | 0,9 |
L1012.C06L | 370 | 800 | 2,5 | 1,9 | 1,9 |
L1012.C10 | 475 | 900 | 4,6 | 2,2 | 2,2 |
L1012.C10L | 615 | 1315 | 6,8 | 4,1 | 4,1 |
L1012.C14 | 1180 | 2095 | 15 | 7,3 | 7,3 |
L1012.C14L | 1570 | 3140 | 22,6 | 14,9 | 14,9 |
L1012.C18 | 2030 | 3605 | 33,2 | 13,7 | 13,7 |
L1012.C18L | 2550 | 4990 | 45,9 | 26,7 | 26,7 |
L1012.C24 | 3065 | 5200 | 63,7 | 26,3 | 26,3 |
L1012.C24L | 4070 | 7800 | 33,2 | 13,7 | 13,7 |
L1012.C42 | 5065 | 8385 | 171,7 | 45,7 | 45,7 |
L1012.C42L | 6725 | 12580 | 257 | 93,1 | 93,1 |
The miniature linear guideways profile system has a low friction characteristic with constant running resistance and low breakaway force.
Causes of friction
Friction with lubricated end seal
Type | N max. | Type | N max. |
L1010.05 | 0,08 | L1012.06 | 0,2 |
L1010.07 | 0,1 | L1012.10 | 0,2 |
L1010.09 | 0,1 | L1012.14 | 0,4 |
L1010.12 | 0,4 | L1012.18 | 0,8 |
L1010.15 | 1,0 | L1012.24 | 1,0 |
L1012.42 | 1,0 |
Fm = μ • F
Fm = friction force (N)
F = load (N)
Miniature linear guideways rails have a coefficient of friction of approximately μ = 0,002 - 0,003
The contact points between ball and track are separated from each other by a microscopically thin oil film. The lubrication ensures:
Important instructions for lubrication of linear rails
Type | First lubrication cm3 |
L1010.C05 | 0,04 |
L1010.C07 | 0,12 |
L1010.C09 | 0,23 |
L1010.C12 | 0,41 |
L1010.C15 | 0,78 |
Type | First lubrication cm3 |
L1012.C10 | 0,05 |
L1012.C14 | 0,23 |
L1012.C18 | 0,30 |
L1012.C24 | 0,52 |
L1012.C42 | 0,87 |
When using grease lubrication, we recommend synthetic oil-based lithium grease with a viscosity according to ISO VG32-100.
We recommend CLP or CGLP synthetic oil (DIN 51517) or HLP (DIN 51524) and a viscosity range conforming to ISO VG32-100 for operating temperatures between 0°C and +70°C. We recommend a viscosity according to ISO VG 10 for use at low temperatures. For application-specific special lubrication please contact our technical sales support staff.
Operating speed, stroke length and ambient conditions influence the selection of time between lubrication intervals.
Establishing a safe lubrication interval is based on the specific applications and operating conditions. However, a lubrication interval should not be greater than one year.
The permissible static load of the miniature linear guideways profile rail is limited by:
The equivalent static load and the static moment are the largest load, or the largest moment load, which are calculated based on formulae 3 and 4.
The static load capacity C0 of ball recirculating guides is defined according to DIN 636 part 2 as the load which gives a Hertzian stress of 4,200 MPa with the existing lubrication between track and balls in the centre of the highest loaded contact surface.
Note: In the loading centre, there is a permanent deformation of approx. 0.01 % of the ball diameter under this load (according to DIN 636, Part 2).
When observing the static safety factor S0 the miniature linear guideways profile rails allow a permissible operation and high running precision as is required for each application.
For calculation of the static safety factor S0, see below.
S0 = C0 / P0 Formula 1
S0 = M0 / M Formula 2
P0 = Fmax Formula 3
M0 = Mmax Formula 4
Operating conditions S0
Normal operation 1 ~ 2
Loading with vibration or shock effect 2 ~ 3
High precision and smooth running ≥ 3
S0 = static safety factor
C0 = static load capacity in loading direction (N)
P0 = equivalent static load (N)
M0 = static moment in loading direction (Nm)
M = equivalent static moment in loading direction (Nm)
If the dynamic loads work vertically with equal size and direction, the calculated service life of the linear guide can theoretically reach 100 km travel (as per DIN 636, part 2).
If both load and moment loads work on the profile rails, the equivalent dynamic load is calculated with formula 9. According to DIN 636 part 1, the equivalent load should not exceed 0.5 x C.
With changing load and speed, these must be considered individually since each parameter influences the service life.
If only the load changes, the equivalent dynamic load can be calculated with formula 5.
If only the speed changes, the equivalent speed is calculated with formula 6.
If speed and load change, the equivalent dynamic load is calculated with formula 7.
With combined exterior load in an arbitrary angle, the equivalent dynamic load is calculated with formula 8.
P = equivalent dynamic load (N)
q = stroke (in %)
F1 = individual load levels (N)
v = average speed (m/min)
v = individual speed levels (m/min)
F = external dynamic load (N)
FY = external dynamic load – vertical (N)
FX = external dynamic load – horizontal (N)
C0 = static load capacity (N)
M1, M2, M3 = external moments (Nm)
Mx, My, Mz = maximum permissible moments in the different loading directions (Nm)
An example of a profile rail or a batch of identical profile rails under the same running conditions, which use ordinary materials with normal service life and operating conditions, can reach 90% of the calculated service life (as per DIN 636 part 2).
By taking 50 km travel as a basis, the dynamic load capacity is usually 20% over the values as per the DIN standard. The relationship between the two load capacities can be seen from formulae 10 and 11.
Calculation of service life
Formulae 12 and 13 are used for calculating the service life, if equivalent dynamic load and average speed are constant.
L = service life based on 100,000 (m)
Lh = service life (h)
C = dynamic load capacity (N)
P = equivalent dynamic load (N)
s = stroke length (m)
n = stroke frequency (min -1)
Vm = average speed (m/min)
e1 (mm) = b (mm) . f1 . 10-4
e2 (mm) = d (mm) . f2 . 10-5
e3 (mm) = f3 . 10-3
Formula 14
Formula 15
Formula 16
Type | f1 | f2 | f3 |
L1010.C05 | 4 | 8 | 2 |
L1010.C05L | 3 | 5 | 2 |
L1010.C07 | 5 | 11 | 4 |
L1010.C07L | 4 | 6 | 4 |
L1010.C09 | 5 | 11 | 6 |
L1010.C09L | 5 | 7 | 5 |
L1010.C12 | 6 | 13 | 8 |
L1010.C12L | 5 | 8 | 8 |
L1010.C15 | 7 | 11 | 12 |
L1010.C15L | 7 | 8 | 11 |
L1012.C04 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
L1012.C04L | 2 | 3 | 1 |
L1012.C06 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
L1012.C06L | 2 | 3 | 2 |
L1012.C10 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
L1012.C10L | 2 | 4 | 4 |
L1012.C18 | 2 | 7 | 6 |
L1012.C18L | 2 | 5 | 5 |
L1012.C24 | 3 | 8 | 8 |
L1012.C24L | 2 | 5 | 7 |
L1012.C42 | 2 | 9 | 11 |
L1012.C42L | 2 | 5 | 10 |
Tightening torque for fixing screws Nm
Screw Quality 12,9 | Steel | Cast iron | Non-ferrous metal |
M2 | 0,6 | 0,4 | 0,3 |
M3 | 1,8 | 1,3 | 1,0 |
M4 | 4,0 | 2,5 | 2,0 |
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