Understand linear rail hole spacing before cutting, including mounting-hole pitch, G1 and G2 end dimensions, hole count, finished rail length, and how to avoid creating a rail that will not match the machine.

Learn what information to provide when ordering cut-to-length linear rail, including finished length, mounting-hole pitch, end dimensions, stroke, block spacing, accuracy, quantity, and replacement geometry.

Linear rail can be custom cut to many lengths, but mounting-hole pitch, end dimensions, required stroke, carriage spacing, and manufacturer maximum rail length determine which finished dimensions make engineering sense.

Learn how to cut linear guide rail to length while protecting hardened raceways, planning mounting-hole pitch and end dimensions, deburring the cut, and preserving the rail geometry required for smooth installation.

Use this linear guide selection checklist to gather the load, center of gravity, mounting orientation, rail and block spacing, stroke, speed, acceleration, accuracy, life, environment, and rail dimensions needed before requesting a quote.

Learn how mounting orientation changes linear guide loading, moments, directional capacity, lubrication, and life—and what to check when mounting guides horizontally, vertically, inverted, on a wall, or at an angle.

Learn how machine rigidity affects linear guide deflection, carriage loading, accuracy, vibration, preload, rail and block spacing, and service life—and why a rigid guide cannot compensate for a flexible machine structure.

Learn how to select linear guides for long-stroke applications by planning usable travel, total rail length, jointed rails, mounting-hole geometry, alignment, lubrication, thermal growth, and lifetime travel.

Choose linear guides for heavy loads by calculating individual carriage forces, static and dynamic ratings, moment loads, rigidity, rail and block spacing, preload, and required life.

Learn how to choose linear guides for high-precision applications based on accuracy class, preload, rigidity, mounting tolerances, rail and block spacing, thermal stability, and load.

Learn how to choose linear guides for high-speed applications based on velocity, acceleration, moving mass, preload, lubrication, heat, rigidity, mounting accuracy, and guide life.

Learn how to choose linear guides for vertical applications, including gravity, center-of-gravity offset, moment loads, rail and block spacing, rigidity, life, lubrication, and vertical-axis holding safety.

Learn how to choose linear guides for cantilevered loads by calculating overhang moment, carriage reactions, rail and block spacing, static safety, rigidity, and fatigue life.

Learn how to calculate linear guide pitch, yaw, and roll moment loads using force, offset distance, rail spacing, block spacing, and individual carriage reactions.

Learn how far apart linear guide blocks should be and how carriage spacing affects pitch and yaw moments, block loads, rigidity, fatigue life, rail length, and usable stroke.

Learn how far apart linear guide rails should be and how rail spacing affects roll moment, carriage load, rigidity, fatigue life, center of gravity, and machine design.

Learn how to select linear rail length from required stroke, carriage length, block spacing, mounting-hole pitch, G1/G2 end dimensions, and maximum rail length.

Learn how to calculate linear guide life using dynamic load rating C, equivalent carriage load, L10 formulas, ball vs. roller equations, duty cycle, and operating hours.

Learn how to calculate linear guide load using mass, acceleration, center of gravity, pitch, yaw, roll, rail spacing, block spacing, and individual carriage reactions.

Learn how to read a linear guide part number and identify series, size, carriage style, preload, accuracy, seals, rail length, and replacement details.