Whether it's dirt, clean rooms, high dynamics, or limited installation space: If you are clear about the loads, environment, and service life, you will usually find the right solution in the Rexroth standard portfolio.
Linear guides rarely get the spotlight, but they play a central role in mechanical engineering and factory automation. They guide linear movements precisely and reliably under defined environmental and load conditions – as efficiently, compactly, and with as little maintenance as possible. But which linear guide is suitable for dirt, vacuums, clean rooms, extreme temperatures, high dynamics, or limited installation space?
In this blog post you will learn which selection criteria are crucial for linear guides and which applications you can realize particularly economically with our proven standard solutions. If you have special, individual requirements, our experts with decades of application knowledge will be happy to assist you.
Tip: For an overview of the most important types of linear guides – from linear bushings to profiled rail systems and cam roller guides – please visit our linear guides product page.
Rexroth linear guides can be found in virtually every industry – from machine tool manufacturing to medical technology, from the food and packaging industry to wood processing, from semiconductor and electronics manufacturing to battery production. The common denominator: the possibility to implement almost any application quickly and cost-effectively. The advantages of the broad standard portfolio of linear guides are a wide selection of proven, quickly configurable solutions with global availability as well as shorter project lead times and machine designs tailored to specific needs. Below are some examples of industry-specific applications and customized solutions:
Many environments expose linear guides to dirt and contaminants, such as in woodworking and stone processing. Profiled rail systems with special seals (either integrated or as attachments) and the fully sealed standard linear bushings from Bosch Rexroth have proven to be a cost-effective solution for these applications.
Harsh environmental conditions: Double-lip seals protect the linear guides in woodworking and metalworking from dirt and contamination.
The all-metal ball rail systems for extreme conditions NRTVG (NRII Temperature Vacuum Graded) withstand extreme temperatures from -30 to 200°C. They impress not only in cold rooms or glass manufacturing, but also in vacuum environments – such as those encountered in wafer and electronics production. The same applies to the all-metal standard linear bushings.
A risk of corrosion exists in the case of contact with acids, alkalis, or electrolytes in electroplating or battery production, as well as during steam sterilization in the medical or pharmaceutical environment. Linear guides made of NRII (corrosion-resistant steel) and hard chrome plated and coated versions (e.g. zinc-iron) prevent these damaging effects. For use in dry rooms, the Rexroth standard portfolio also includes linear guides with resistant plastics such as POM as well as special lubricants.
Runner block NRTVG for extreme environments.
Miniature ball rail systems and corrosion-resistant profiled rail systems, among others, meet the requirements of various clean room classes in semiconductor and electronics production.
Tip: Depending on the required clean room class, standard versions are often sufficient.
Linear guides are also indispensable in the food sector, especially in packaging and final inspection. The Rexroth ball rail systems in corrosion-resistant NRII or NRFG design (NRII Food Grade) are particularly well suited to these environments. Process-related guiding tasks without direct food contact (e.g. bottle fillers, film wrapping machines, or bag forming, filling, and sealing machines) also benefit from the easy-to-clean, all-metal linear bushings.
All-metal linear bushings.
Ever-increasing automation is also pushing the boundaries of accuracy, dynamics, and installation space. When it comes to precision, the roller and ball rail systems RSHP/BSHP lead the way in the Rexroth standard portfolio. Why? A patented entry zone in the runner block ensures optimal smooth running – from workpiece machining, feeding, handling, and assembly to cover plate and laser cutting or 3D printing.
Ball rail system BSHP: Thanks to elastically deformable steel bearing plates (2), the entry zone adapts individually to the current operating load of the runner block (1). The balls (4-7) enter the bearing zone between the runner block and the ball rail (3) smoothly, i.e. without any impulse loads.
Tip: Linear axes and multi-axis systems equipped with BSHP linear guides also achieve maximum precision and dynamics.
Short cycle times require high speeds: The high-speed runner block from the Rexroth standard portfolio reaches a record-breaking 10 m/s. Typical application areas include plastic injection molding, pressing and joining, laser cutting, and handling with long travel ranges. The Rexroth standard linear bushings and standard ball rail systems in small sizes also move quickly at speeds of up to 5 m/s.
Incidentally, the durable cam rollers from Bosch Rexroth are also ideally suited for fast movements up to 10 m/s.
Integrated additional functions save installation space and reduce costs. How? For example, through the temperature control function TCRS, which ensures thermal stability in high-precision workpiece machining, or through linear guides with integrated measuring systems.
Good to know: Both options can be retrofitted.
Roller rail system RSHP with patented temperature control option TCRS for high-precision machine tools.
Do you want to implement demanding applications in the mid-range price-performance segment economically? Then the all-round guide system BSCL (Ball Rail System Compact Line) is the right choice. Why? Fast selection, configuration, and ordering, combined with the familiar Rexroth quality, many cost-reducing features, and rapid delivery (worldwide from stock).
Incidentally, the price-optimized BSCL line will be consistently expanded in the coming years to cover even more requirements and applications at an optimized price.
Cost-effective ball rail system BSCL for various applications.
Practical tip: With all Rexroth linear guides, you can interchange rails and runner blocks across all precision and preload classes, thereby saving resources.
For small workspaces and compact machine designs, the Rexroth portfolio also includes miniature ball rail systems that combine small sizes with high load-bearing capacity and positioning accuracy. These properties are in demand in the areas of packaging, medical technology, measurement and testing, as well as in the textile industry and electronics production.
| Requirement | Suitable standard solutions from the Rexroth portfolio (examples) |
|---|---|
| Dirt and shavings | Sealed linear bushings, profiled rail systems (BSHP, RSHP) with comprehensive sealing variants, wipers, and optional cover strips for easy closing of the mounting holes in the rail |
| Clean room | Miniature ball rail systems and ball rail systems NRTVG in all-metal design for extreme conditions |
| Extremely high dynamics | Ball rail systems with high-speed runner blocks |
| High precision | Precision rail guides RSHP/BSHP, optionally also with temperature control function TCRS |
| Compact design for limited installation space | Miniature ball rail systems |
| Price-optimized | Ball rail systems BSCL for the medium performance range |
| Vacuum / extreme temperatures | Ball rail systems in all-metal design, e.g. NRTVG |
| Hygiene areas | Ball rail systems NRII or NRFG |
With Bosch Rexroth as a broad-based solution partner, you can quickly find the right linear guide for your application. Whether for process automation, increased efficiency, or miniaturization; whether for special environmental conditions or for new requirements in dynamics, precision, or functional integration such as measurement or temperature control. With the Linear Motion Technology Selector, you can easily select, configure, and order any individual linear guide from the extensive standard portfolio that perfectly matches your application. A broad standard portfolio not only simplifies selection and engineering, but also often reduces the effort involved in purchasing, logistics, servicing, and spare parts inventory. Take advantage of Bosch Rexroth's low-maintenance, best-in-class solutions now to reduce your costs over the entire life cycle – and ultimately benefit from greater competitiveness and sustainability in mechanical and plant engineering.
With the Linear Motion Technology Selector, you can quickly find the right linear guide for your application – including technical data, CAD models, and suitable accessory components.
When is a standard linear guide sufficient?
A standard linear guide is often sufficient if the requirements regarding loads, precision, dynamics, installation space, and environmental conditions are clearly defined and can be met with available formats, seals, materials, coatings, or lubricants. Custom solutions are usually only worthwhile if standard options do not meet the requirements, either from a technical or economic perspective.
Which linear guide is suitable for dirt and contaminants?
For environments with dirt, shavings, or dust, robust profiled rail systems with suitable sealing systems or fully sealed linear bushings are suitable. The type of dirt, the cleaning strategy, the lubrication, and the required service life are decisive factors.
Which linear guides are suitable for clean room, vacuum, or dry room applications?
For clean room, vacuum, or dry room applications, material selection, outgassing, lubricant, and corrosion resistance are crucial. Depending on the application, miniature ball rail systems, corrosion-resistant profiled rail systems, or runner blocks in all-metal design are suitable.
What is more important in linear guides: precision, load-bearing capacity, or speed?
That depends on the motion profile. High precision requires rigid and smooth-running linear guides, high load capacity tends to require robust profiled rail systems with suitable rolling elements, and high speed demands particularly dynamic runner blocks or cam roller guides. In practice, these criteria must be evaluated in combination.
How can costs for linear guides be reduced?
Costs are reduced not only through the purchase price, but also over the entire life cycle: through rapid configuration, available standard components, interchangeability of rails and runner blocks, a suitable maintenance strategy, reduced spare parts inventory, and a longer service life.
