Used typically with heavy duty applications such as CNC machining equipment, automated assembly machinery, tooling and cutting, machine slides are able to handle massive loads. These motorized linear slides offer precision movement capabilities along vertical or horizontal rails that can be single, double or multi-axis. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Del-Tron Precision, Inc.
Bethel, CT | 203-778-2727Del-Tron is a linear slide manufacturer/distributor of ball bearing slides, crossed roller tables, roller slides, multi-axis positioning stages, xy tables, motor-ready lead screw stages & crossed roller rail sets.
Tusk Direct, Inc.
Bethel, CT | 800-447-2042When describing Tusk Direct, a linear slide distributor, products such as linear motion components, roller tables, ball & crossed roller slides, dovetail slides, bushings, multi-axis positioners & motor ready lead screw actuators, come to mind.
Modern Linear Incorporated
San Rafael, CA | 415-924-7938Modern Linear manufactures guide roller components and integrated slides for applications ranging from clean/vacuum environments to food processing/packaging, and heavy contamination.
Isotech, Inc.
Hatfield, PA | 800-314-3332Isotech is a distributor of precision linear motion components: air cylinders, linear actuators, linear slides, ball slide assemblies, crossed roller slide assemblies, re-circulating ball slide guides. We can supply standard or high precision products in either English or metric, all with the convenience of on-line ordering. Our parts are ready for installation right out of the box.
Velmex, Inc.
Bloomfield, NY | 800-642-6446Established in 1967, Velmex makes manual & motor driven dovetail slides, open frame tables, twin rail slides, rotary and XY stages. Choose hand, lead screw or belt drive.
PBC Linear
Roscoe, IL | 800-962-8979PBC Linear delivers innovative products for Smooth & Quiet Linear Motion™, providing solutions for even the toughest linear motion applications. With proven product lines such as Simplicity®, Redi-Rail®, Uni-Guide®, Mini Rail® and Hevi-Rail® and new products like SIMO® Series – PBC Linear has the broadest range of linear motion solutions.
Engineered Linear Slides - Del-Tron Precision, Inc.Machine slides are moved by drive mechanisms; these mechanisms can be mechanical, hydraulic or electronic. Machine slides are designed to have close tolerances and high rigidity to ensure that motion, even in high-paced applications, is controlled.
The slides consist of a stationary base which holds the linear rails and a moving component, or carriage, that is attached to the bearings channels and moves along the cylindrical or ball bearing slides within the railings.
Non-Magnetic Ball Slides - Del-Tron Precision, Inc.Dovetail slides are often used in machine slide processes because of their increased precision and close tolerance performances. The slides also have a gib which ensures the components stay in place along the linear rails and make up for any slip-stick which may inadvertently occur.
Four-slide machines are a popular type of machine slide which are used to manufacture metal parts by using moving mechanisms on four separate axes that act upon the metal to create a finished component. They are able to produce completed components in fast turnaround times.
Stainless steel, cast iron and aluminum are the most common materials used in the construction of machine slides. Material choice is dependent upon the specifics of the application and the intended work environment and load capacity.
Cast iron is durable and can maintain its structure under the pressure of weight, whereas stainless steel is important for corrosion resistance purposes. Most machine slides have to be custom designed because they are used for product specific or equipment specific processes and therefore need to be adjusted accordingly.
Options include: ball screw, lead screw, air or hydraulic cylinders for motion control, including blocks and keepers at the end of the desired motion range. Also, machine way wipers are used with machine slides to protect the equipment against wear and tear from dust and debris along the linear rails.
The wipers move in front of the carriage or sliding mechanism to ensure smooth movement of the bearings and rail. Covers, bellows or other linear rail shields can also be used to further protect against the contamination of the bearing system within the linear system.
