Which linear guides are interchangeable?
Linear guides in an existing machine or component need to be replaced for a variety of reasons:by replacing bearings with higher preloads to improve the stiffness of the component,or by using a different bearing type or style to accommodate unforeseen space constraints.Sometimes,linear guides need to be replaced just for maintenance and repair.
Whatever the reason for the swap,the process of replacing linear bearings is not always as simple as ordering new components and installing them on the machine.For some products,components from different manufacturers are not interchangeable,regardless of style or size.Even within a given manufacturer's product line,not all components are interchangeable.Before you attempt to replace linear bearings,shafts,or guides,here is a guide to which types are(and cannot be)interchangeable and what determines their interchangeability.
In this case,"style" means the general shape of the housing - its length(standard,short or long),width (standard or wide),and whether it has a flange."Style" can also refer to how many rows of ball bearings the bearing has - two,four or six rows.
Round shaft linear bearings
Round shaft versions are the easiest to replace and "mix and match" straight bearings because most are interchangeable in size regardless of manufacturer or style.However,due to different ball recirculation methods,load capacity can vary greatly between manufacturers and styles,which can affect the load capacity of bearings.In addition to the options and flexibility offered by circular shaft bearings,many types and sizes of plain bearings are interchangeable with common cycle styles.
Round shaft guides
Interchanging Round shaft guide is a simple process due to their simple geometry and small range of materials and hardness grades.Their main specifications are diameter,diameter tolerance and shaft hardness.As long as these three parameters match or are suitable for application, any shaft from any manufacturer can be used with any sliding or circulating bearing of the same size.
Round shaft linear bearings and guides are relatively easy to interchange due to their simple geometry.
Profiled rail bearing blocks
Due to the difference in geometry and size of bearings and guide raceways,it is not possible to use a Profiled rail bearing from one manufacturer with a guide from another.Therefore,if only one component(bearing or rail)needs to be replaced,it must be from the same manufacturer as the original.
On the other hand,if two components need to be replaced,in some cases the entire component can be swapped from one manufacturer to another.This is because the sizes and styles of some of the most commonly used profiled rail assemblies have the same external dimensions(height,width,mounting bolt pattern)between manufacturers.
Manufacturers sometimes use the term "random matching" to indicate that the products in their profiled guide products are interchangeable.When manufacturers change their product lines from one type of irregular track bearing to a different style or preload,keep in mind that interchangeability is not always provided in the design.
This is because in order to "mix and match" different bearing seats and guides of a given size,the raceway position on the guide and bearing seats must be very precisely controlled.Normally,preloaded bearing blocks are not interchangeable because the tolerance between guide and bearing affects the amount of preload.
Whether bearing blocks of different styles(flanged,short,long,etc.)and preloads will fit on a guide rail depends on both the manufacturer and the design.
Profiled rail guides
As with the profiled rail bearing blocks,the Profiled rail guide is not interchangeable between manufacturers.However,in the manufacturer's product line,Profiled rail guides are usually interchangeable,as long as they have the same style,meaning that the number of raceways and the design are the same.
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2022 11/14