When you want a linear guide to move a heavy load in a demanding application, you usually have one choice: a heavy-duty profiled guide and its associated misalignment issues. Higher load requirements often mean the more compliant guides that find good use in medium-precision applications are off-limits. Instead, in order to meet both the load criteria and address misalignment, you typically have to choose a larger profiled guide and perform costly and time-consuming tasks during installation.

The logistics industry has evolved to employ automated shuttle and automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) to move products in three-dimensional planes within distribution centers and networks. In most cases, you need some form of linear guidance to support these moving systems. Many logistics companies invest hours and overhead costs into developing and sourcing linear guidance systems themselves or through a subsidiary.

As automation continues to transform manufacturing productivity, competitiveness often comes down to maintaining “lights out” processes and lowering engineering time and costs. While robotic systems can provide undeniable benefits like efficiency and labor savings, not every task is ideally suited for automation.

Choosing the right motion device for a high-performance airline tray table is no easy task. While many linear bearings are available for tray tables that require only basic, jerky motion for economy-class seating, rail systems for first-class and business-class seats — which are typically designed to recline or even lie flat — must satisfy a long list of criteria. And passengers expect smooth, quiet motion from their tray table.

Look inside a CNC machine, and you’ll find sophisticated recirculating ball linear bearings performing the mission-critical motion tasks. But when you go beyond the spindle and essential cutting or milling components, you’ll find auxiliary axes that don't have the high accuracy and precision requirements that are typically prescribed for expensive motion components.

In the entertainment industry, a good stage production often depends on what happens behind the scenes. Sometimes the components that make up the rigging systems that safely and discreetly move scenery and equipment across a stage for effect are the real stars of the show. That's especially true for rigging systems with unique design challenges.

When it comes to adding linear motion to a fixture, designers have to take a close look at the motion system’s rail construction.

When it comes to the retail store environment, products don’t sell themselves. In order to maximize sales, you need attractive, functional display fixtures that present your goods front-and-center to the customer. That means supporting components like drawer slides must be inconspicuous so that they don’t divert the customer’s attention from the merchandise. And because retail space is precious, drawers cannot extend too far from the display despite the need to cantilever sometimes heavy loads.