ARTICLES AND PRESS RELEASES

Selecting a Slide

When it comes to linear slides, there are many models to choose from. Let's look at the basic factors that can help inform the decision of which kind of slide to purchase. There are four main factors to consider: the force that is required, load capacity required, stroke required, and operating speed. The force that is required will determine the air cylinder bore size and the load capacity will determine the size and bearing type of the slide's guide mechanism. The stroke required would be the total linear distance traveled... Read More

Finding the Right Guide

In life, looking for a guide is common for many. Whether this is a friend, parent, deity or simply a path to follow, many of us look for assistance in finding the best way to lead our lives. Having a solid, steady guide makes everything easier. And, this does not simply apply to the human life, but can be found in industry as well. One example is linear guides. Also often referred to as linear rails, these are a useful part assisting in the function of linear slides. So, the... Read More

Computers Making Everything Easier

The world is pretty much run through the internet these days. It is how many get the news, watch television shows a day late, stay connected via Facebook and Twitter, do their shopping and take/participate in some classes. It helps information travel faster, so few mail the traditional letter now, choosing instead e-mail. And this has not simply changed how the average person gets through each day, but it has lead to a complete revamping of the traditional workplace as well. It is hard to find a business or company... Read More

Linear Slides Distributors: The Website Design

To keep up with the competition and keep your customers happy, every distribution operation must invest heavily in an excellent website. The internet is our society's main form of marketing these days, more so then print ads and maybe even more then television. When a person or company is searching for a product, they don't go to the yellow pages but to the computer for a Google search. Therefore, if a marketing team wants to keep their company relevant then they must invest in a business website. However, excellence in... Read More

Telescopic Slides to the Rescue

When firefighters use their trucks, hoses and ladders to save lives, it is not the equipment we thank but the people who utilized it. The same goes for police officers, forest rescue teams and emergency medical technicians, as well as any other rescue oriented professionals that are able to do what they do because of the advanced equipment they have access to. Many technological and mechanical wonders are involved in this equipment that gets very little credit for the work it does; one such item is the telescopic slide. This... Read More

Machine Slides

While a machine slide sounds like it has the potential to be an incredibly fun activity, I picture a giant roller coaster type of slide; it is actually more of a practical tool than a fun one. Sadly, it is not a slide in the traditional playground or amusement park sense, but rather a type of linear slide that is able to provide precise motion along linear planes. It can be used for numerous types of automated machinery for pushing, pulling or even positioning. Machine slides are a vital part... Read More

Industry Information

Machine Slides

Machine slides are a type of linear slide mechanism. Also known as machine tool slides, their primary goal is to position, push or pull equipment. In essence, they are made up of groups of linear bearings. Machine slides are motorized and offer their precision motion along not only single vertical rails, but single, double or multi-axis vertical and horizontal rails. Moved by drive mechanisms that may be electronics, mechanical or hydraulic in nature, machine slides are heavy duty, highly rigid and have close tolerances. These characteristics allow them to be successfully paired with heavy industrial applications and the massive loads they carry. Such applications include tooling and cutting, automated assembly machinery and CNC machining equipment.

Machines slides are made up a stationary base that houses both the linear rails and the carriage, which is the moving component. The carriage is in turn attached to a series of bearing channels; within the rails, it moves along the slides, whether they be ball bearing slides, roller (cylindrical) bearing slides or dovetail slides, which are another type of commonly used bearing slide. The latter, dovetail slides, are particularly popular for use with machine slides for a few different reasons. First, they provide close tolerance performances and enhanced precision. Second, they use a gib, which provides the assurance that the machine slide components will stay securely in place along the linear rails, even in the face of any accidentally slip-sticks. The components of which machine slides are made are usually composed of materials such as aluminum, stainless steel and/or cast iron. All of these materials, which are the three most common machine slide construction materials, are fairly durable. Each, however, has different qualities. Stainless steel, for example, is incredibly corrosion resistant. Cast iron, on the other hand, stands out for its general durability and its ability to maintain its structure even under great pressure and weight. The choice of what material(s) with which to construct machine slide parts comes down to the factors including: the intended system load capacity, the intended work environment and other specifications of the application. Regardless, most machine slides are not manufactured in a standard configuration. Rather, they typically must be custom designed, as they are so often used for processes very specific to a piece of equipment or a product. (These always require adjustment from standard configurations.) However, there are certainly groups of mechanisms from which manufacturers may choose to customize the slides they are creating. For example, for motion control, machine slides most often use one of the following items with blocks and keepers at the end of the intended motion range area: hydraulic cylinders, air cylinders, lead screws or ball screws. In addition, the protect equipment from dust and debris along the linear rails and/or wear and tear, manufacturers may select items accessories including: bellows, covers linear rail shields and/or wipers. Bellows, covers and linear rail shields alike are placed on machine slides in order to shield them from contamination to the linear system caused by the bearing system. In turn, wipers work in the front of the sliding mechanism or carriage, where they move, or wipe, the mechanism in order to secure the smooth and unhindered movement of the rails and bearings.

There are a few different types of popular machine slide types. However, the most popular for use with those applications seeking to manufacture metal parts is likely the four-slide machine, also known as a multislide, multi-slide, or four-way. Four-slide machines are a type of machine slide that assist in metal manufacturing processes by employing moving shaft mechanisms on not one or two separate axes, but four separate axes. These axes move the metal all through the various stages of processing, such as stamping, in order to help create the finished product. Using this type of machine slide, manufacturers are able to create complete metal parts very rapidly.

Regardless of the application for which a machine slide is used, in order to keep it running well and in order to increase its longevity, it is important that machine operators make sure that it does not become clogged or contaminated with debris or dust. To that end, in addition to equipping the machine with wipers and/or covers, operators must occasionally take the system apart and clean it. Dirt and dust left unattended can lead to the early deterioration of machine slide components, especially bearings. For more information on this and to learn more about how machine slides might serve your application, contact one of the many excellent slide manufacturers listed on this page.


Machine Slides – Del-Tron Precision, Inc.	Machine Slides – Del-Tron Precision, Inc.

Machine Slides – DuraBond™ Slide	Machine Slides – DuraBond™ Slide