SLIX – Floating bearing mountings for precise and robust parallel guides
Why floating bearing mountings such as SLIX are indispensable
In many applications in automation technology, special-purpose machinery manufacturing, and fixture construction, it is necessary for moving masses to move over two or more parallel guides.
The problem: Static overdetermination in parallel guides
To ensure that the moving unit is mounted smoothly and stably, it is firmly screwed onto both guide carriages. However, this design leads to static overdetermination: even the smallest deviations in the parallelism or height of the guides place additional stress on the carriages and rails.
The solution: SLIX ensures precise tolerance compensation
This is exactly where SLIX comes in – our floating bearing mounting with standard elements ensures the necessary tolerance compensation between the guides. A fixed-floating bearing arrangement allows one side of the guide to be rigidly mounted while the other can move freely. This reduces tension, extends the service life of the guides, and ensures smooth operation – even under thermal influences or component deformation.
Thanks to this intelligent solution, high accuracy requirements for rail mounting can be avoided without compromising precision. SLIX floating bearing mountings make your design more economical, easier to assemble, and more durable.
PGM Motion has used SLIX in many special-purpose machinery projects.
Whether in compact positioning systems, precise linear axes, or complex special-purpose machinery manufacturing systems, SLIX helps you to make movement sequences stable, efficient, and reliable.
Your advantages with SLIX at a glance:
- Tolerance compensation in parallel guides prevents tension
- Longer service life and operational reliability for carriages and rails thanks to reduced stress
- Easy installation in just a few minutes using standard elements
- Ideal for automation technology, fixture construction, linear axes, and special-purpose machines
- Optimal precision despite manufacturing tolerances or temperature differences
Typical fields of application
- Compact positioning systems
- Precise linear axes
- Machines and systems in special-purpose machinery manufacturing
- Automation systems with high accuracy requirements
Consultation and contact
Would you like to know how SLIX can improve your application? Our team will assist you with selection and integration.
Contact us now for a no-obligation consultation.
Download technical data sheets, and STEP files here.
FAQ - SLIX floating bearing mountings: Application, selection, and practical tips
1. When should a floating bearing mounting be used instead of a rigid mounting?
A floating bearing mounting such as SLIX is particularly useful when two or more linear guides are mounted in parallel and their manufacturing tolerances or thermal expansion could lead to tension.
In contrast, floating bearings are often not necessary for single axes or short guide lengths.
2. What factors determine the choice between fixed bearings and floating bearings for linear guides?
The decision depends on the kinematics of the system, the temperature difference during operation, and the guide lengths.
As a rule of thumb:
- One side of the guide is defined as a fixed bearing (fixed position).
- The second is defined as a floating bearing with SLIX mounting. It compensates for thermal expansion and alignment errors. This achieves even force distribution and permanently stabilizes precision.
3. Can SLIX also be retrofitted to existing machines?
Yes, SLIX is ideal for retrofitting.
Existing systems can be converted to floating bearing functionality without major redesigns, as the fastening is compatible with standard elements.
This reduces maintenance costs and increases the service life of existing linear guides – ideal for retrofit projects.
4. What materials are used in SLIX?
SLIX components are made of electro-galvanized steel, NBR, and a high-performance polymer. This ensures that they continue to function reliably even under high loads. Stainless steel versions are available as an option for clean room or food applications.
5. How does SLIX help reduce machine downtime?
SLIX’s automatic tolerance compensation eliminates tension, which typically leads to unplanned wear and tear and thus to failures.
Machines run more smoothly, service intervals are extended, and system availability increases measurably. This not only reduces downtime, but also spare parts and maintenance costs.
6. What tolerances can be compensated with SLIX?
Depending on the size, SLIX can compensate for parallelism deviations and height differences.
This makes it suitable for machines with longer guides or variable temperature loads.
Special designs for greater tolerance compensation are available on request.
7. What service life can be expected when using SLIX?
In internal endurance tests at PGM Motion over 10 million load cycles, SLIX showed no measurable wear on the sliding surface.
By relieving the load on the carriages and rails, the overall service life of the system can be extended many times over, depending on the load and environment.
8. How can SLIX be integrated into CAD designs?
3D CAD models (STEP, IGES, SolidWorks) and technical data sheets are available for planning purposes. This allows SLIX to be imported directly into existing assemblies and adjusted parametrically.
This speeds up the design phase and reduces the risk of alignment errors during assembly.
9. Are there different versions or sizes of SLIX?
Yes, SLIX is available in several sizes and configurations -tailored to different rail types, screw diameters, and load levels. The range extends from compact versions for precision systems to robust variants for heavy-duty axes.