Linear Slides and Linear Stages Specifications

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Axis Configuration



	Your choices are...
	X Axis Only		One carriage, saddle, or stage that can move in the X-axis.
	Z Axis Only		One carriage, saddle, or stage that can move in the Z-axis. These units are often called vertical lift stages, or Z stages.
	X-Y Axes		Stacked or coupled units such that they move along two (usually orthogonal) axes in the X-Y plane.
	X-Y Open Frame		X-Y axes positioning, open frame. Stacked or coupled units such that they move along two (usually orthogonal) axes in the X-Y plane.
	X-Z Axes		Stacked or coupled carriages such that one carriage moves along the X axis while the other carriage moves along the Z axis, providing both horizontal and vertical motion.
	X-Y-Z Axes		Three-axis system with motion possible in three orthogonal axes.
	Tip/Tilt Axes		The stage is able to tilt or tip along a specified axis.
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Actuation Type



	Your choices are...
	Electrical		Electrically driven motors used to drive actuators.
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Specifications


	Stroke or X-Axis Travel		X-axis linear travel or the maximum distance the shaft travels from fully retracted to fully extended.
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	Y-Axis Travel		Y-axis linear travel. For multi-axis stages only.
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	Z-Axis Travel		Z-axis linear travel. For single or multi-axis stages.
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	Rated Speed		Maximum linear speed; typically rated at low or no load.
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	Carriage Load		Required load-carrying capacity.
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	Positioning Accuracy		The positioning accuracy of the unit.
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Orientation



	Your choices are...
	Horizontal		The base of the unit is mounted in a horizontal position where the carriage is situated above the base. This may also be referred to as normal.
	Vertical		The base of the unit is mounted in a vertical position where the carriage is situated to the side of the base. This may also be referred to as side.
	Inverted		The base of the unit is mounted in a horizontal position where the carriage is situated below the base.
	Gantry		The slide or stage is mounted on a frame structure raised on side supports. The gantry offers accessibility to the space around it and is often used over a conveyor.
	Other		Text for other unlisted orientation.
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Device Type



	Your choices are...
	Ball Slide		These are sometimes referred to as ball and rod bearing assemblies, or ball bearing slides. Ball slide stages are simply ball slides coupled with a drive mechanism. The result is a very smooth linear motion, accurately controlled by rotation of the drive mechanism. Ball slides use a bearing system composed of two rows of balls on both sides of the base. Each row is contained between four rods. These two rows of balls are preloaded to eliminate play. As the carriage moves, the balls roll along the rods. Ball slides provide smooth, accurate, low friction motion. They are typically very reliable, and because there is no direct sliding contact between the base and carriage, they do not require regular lubrication.
	Crossed Roller Slide		The rollers are 'crossed' 90? In an alternating fashion. They are enclosed in the rails, which have a machined 'V' groove to support the rollers. The 'V' grooves are precisely ground at 90 degrees. The rollers contact the grooves only on their diameter. This generates a rolling motion and minimizes friction. Crossed roller bearings are capable of a much higher load carrying capacity than the similar ball bearings.
	Dovetail Slide		Dovetail slides may also be called dovetail way slides. A dovetail is a flaring tenon and a mortise into which it fits, making an interlocking sliding joint between two pieces. The dovetail slide is a direct contact system where the sliding area is considered the bearing system of the dovetail slide. Since the surface contact is so large, dovetail slides are ideal for heavy load applications and industrial uses.
	Hardened Way Slide		Also called box ways, industrial hardened ways, hardened slides or rectangular way slides. Hardened ways have many similarities to the dovetail slide. The hardened way is a more durable product and is meant for applications with heavy loads and high cyclic action. The hardened way utilizes the direct contact of the base and saddle. Since friction is higher in these direct contact bearing systems, the iron cast surfaces are finely ground to produce a lower coefficient of friction. The hardened way slide has a very dense rigid structure to enable these slides to handle massive industrial applications.
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Bearing Type



	Your choices are...
	Air Bearing		Air bearings ride on a thin cushion of air along the slide length. Air bearings have virtually zero friction and are very low noise. An air bearing provides support in one direction. They must be stacked or coupled in order to provide multi-axis positioning in the same plane. Air bearings provide a high level of accuracy, and they are well suited to clean rooms. They are not capable of movement in the Z-axis (vertical lift).
	Ball/Roller Bearing		Balls or rollers, typically recirculating for linear motion.
	Metal Bushing		Bushing materials such as oil-impregnated bronze.
	Thermoplastic/Composite Bushing		Continuous surface composite bearings are sometimes recommended for their anti-corrosive properties and tolerance to debris.
	Linear Guide Bearing		A linear motion guide may also be referred to as a linear guide bearing, square rail linear bearing, linear guideway, or recirculating ball bearing. This type of linear guide system is made up of two components; the guide rail and the carriage unit. The rails may come in a variety of cross sections all with machined grooves for the bearings to run in. The balls are contained on the carriage. The linear motion guide has a superior load-carrying capacity and is suited for use in dirty environments. However, straightness accuracy, flatness accuracy, and smoothness are sacrificed.
	Needle Roller Bearing		Needle roller bearings are often referred to as M/V ways. Needle rollers are contained in cages mounted on matching machined rails. Needle rollers are similar to roller bearings but they are longer than the diameter. The rails are often machined with one in a 'M' shape and the other matching rail in a 'V' shape. Needle rollers offer a high load carrying capacity and are very rigid.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary bearings.
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Drive Specifications



	Your choices are...
	None		The unit does not have an integral drive mechanism.
	Lead Screw/ACME Screw		A lead screw with matching threads on the screw and nut.
	Ball Screw		A lead screw and ball nut combination where the balls in the nut circulate when in motion.
	Belt Drive		A belt connects the motor to the actuator. May be used in both rod and rodless actuators.
	Direct Drive		The motor is connected directly to the actuator.
	Gear Drive		The motor is connected to the actuator through a set of gears.
	Handwheel/Crank		The unit does not contain an integral motor drive. It is a handwheel or crank handle drive.
	Motor Mounts only (No Motor)		The unit does not have an integral motor, but it does come equipped with motor mounts or couplings for mounting a motor that is supplied by the user.
	Micrometer		A micrometer produces the linear motion.
	Rack & Pinion		Rack and pinion gears are used to convert rotation into linear motion.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized or proprietary drive configurations.
	Ground Screw		Ground screws are made on a grinding wheel. Typically, this produces a screw with 0.0005 inch per foot lead accuracy.
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	Lead		Lead = Inches per 1 revolution of screw. Note: Lead screw pitch = 1/lead or number of turns per inch of linear travel.
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Motor Specifications



	Your choices are...
	None		The unit does not include a motor, or can be obtained without one (as an option).
	AC		AC motors a very wide class of motors, including single / multiphase, universal, servo, induction, synchronous, and gearmotor types.
	AC Servo		AC servomotors are permanent magnet synchronous motors that can have low torque-to-inertia ratios for high acceleration ratings.
	DC		Brushed DC motors have built-in commutation, meaning that as the motor rotates, mechanical brushes automatically commutate coils on the rotor.
	DC Brushless		Brushless DC motors use an external power drive to allow commutation of the coils on the stator.
	DC Brushless Servo		False center DC servomotors have an output shaft that can be positioned by sending a coded signal to the motor.
	DC Servo		False center DC servomotors have an output shaft that can be positioned by sending a coded signal to the motor.
	Linear Motor		Linear motors generate force only in the direction of travel. A linear motor applies thrust directly to a load, and does not require any intermediate mechanism to convert rotary motion into linear motion. Linear motors are capable of extremely high speeds, quick acceleration, and accurate positioning.
	Stepper		Stepper motors use a magnetic field to move a rotor in small angular steps or fractions of steps.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary motors.
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	Motor Continuous Power		Sustainable power does not include short-term peak power ratings.
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	Motor Voltage		This is the voltage applied to the motor and includes AC, DC, and stepper type motors.
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Motor Features



	Your choices are...
	Integral Brake		The motor has an integral brake to hold its current position.
	Motor Encoder Feedback		Provides continuous output of position, analog, or digital.
	Linear Position Feedback		Provides continuous output of position, analog, or digital.
	Home / Limit / Position Switches		Has switched outputs that can limit travel.
	Tachometer Feedback		Tachometers can be of both the contact and noncontact type. They measure the speed of a rotating shaft in RPMs.
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Features



	Your choices are...
	Adjustable Stroke		End points or total stroke length can be adjusted.
	Brake / Clutch Combination		A combination brake / clutch assembly for slowing or stopping the linear motion (brake) and connection or disconnection of the drive mechanism (clutch).
	Bumpers / Cushions		Cushions or bumpers for softening impact at ends of stroke.
	Way Covers / Bellows		Way covers, which are sometimes referred to simply as bellows, cover the rails / guides for protection from dust and dirt.
	Protective Boot		Cover that protect moving parts against environmental damage.
	Cleanroom Rated		The unit is certified for use in cleanroom environments. Cleanroom requirements are typically specified in orders of magnitude of 1, 10, 100, 1000, 10,000, relating the particles per million and defining the particle size.
	Closed Loop Control		This is sometimes called servo control. The cylinder has external devices that feedback a signal to the pump control giving it position information. One configuration option is to use a servo / proportional valve on the cylinder.
	Double Carriage		The slide or stage is equipped with two sliding carriages.
	Double End Rod		Rod extends out of both ends of cylinder with attachment features such as threads on both ends.
	Integral Flow Control		Integral flow control incorporates a flow control valve or device that limits the amount of air or fluid.
	Holding Brake		Works in conjunction with the self-locking feature to increase holding force.
	Integral Sensor		Integral sensor to monitor position and/or proximity comes equipped.
	Intrinsically Safe		The device can be used in hazardous environments.
	Magnetic Switch		Magnetic switch (Hall effect sensor, reed switch) indicates whether thruster position is in retracted or extended position.
	Multi-position		Endplate can be actuated to different positions along its stroke, not just the endpoints.
	Non-rotating		Multiple rods or key feature to prevent the plunger from rotating.
	Rotary Axis		A multi axis stage where the last axis (Y or Z) is capable of rotary motion.
	Self-locking		When there is a loss of signal, the device will lock to its current position.
	Shock Absorbers		Pneumatic or hydraulic fluid absorption of shock.
	Integrated Overload Slip Clutch / Torque Limiter		A device used to allow for slip when torque exceeds overload limits.
	Stackable		The slide or stage can be stacked (one on top of another) to provide linear motion in more than one axis.
	Side Motor / Mount		A side motor or side motor mount is offered to fit in smaller spaces. This may be accomplished with a right angle gear box.
	Thermal Overload Protection		Motor has a thermal switch which trips when a preset temperature is exceeded.
	Vacuum Rated		The unit is vacuum qualified for use inside chambers.
	Water Resistant (Sealed)		Rated to resist moisture which could cause corrosion.
	Wipers / Scrapers		The unit is equipped with wipers or scrapers for cleaning the surface of the rails / guides.
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Linear Slides and Linear Stages Specifications

Axis Configuration:

Stroke or X-Axis Travel:

Y-Axis Travel:

Z-Axis Travel:

Rated Speed:

Carriage Load:

Positioning Accuracy:

Orientation:

Device Type:

Bearing Type:

Drive Specifications:

Lead:

Motor Specifications:

Motor Continuous Power:

Motor Voltage:

Motor Features:

Features:

Actuation Type:

Help with Linear Slides and Linear Stages specifications: