Choosing Linear Guides for Cantilevered Loads

Oct 14

Choosing linear guides for a cantilevered load requires more than checking payload weight. The overhung distance creates a moment, and that moment can dramatically increase the load carried by one or more guide blocks. The correct guide must therefore be selected from the actual block reactions created by the cantilever, not from the suspended weight alone.

The core relationship is:

M = F × d

where:

M = moment created by the cantilevered load
F = applied force
d = perpendicular distance from the guide support center to the load

For a weight-driven cantilever:

F = m × g

so:

M = m × g × d

That moment must then be resolved through:

rail spacing,
block spacing,
carriage geometry,
guide orientation.

THK’s current load-calculation guidance explicitly includes overhung horizontal mounting as a dedicated loading case and states that applied guide load depends on center-of-gravity position, thrust position, acceleration/deceleration, and external force.

Key Takeaways

A cantilevered load creates both direct force and moment.
Payload weight alone is not enough to size the guide.
Greater overhang distance increases moment linearly.
A high center of gravity can create additional pitch or roll moment during acceleration.
Wider rail spacing helps resist roll moment.
Greater block spacing helps resist pitch and yaw moment.
Two widely spaced blocks behave differently from two blocks mounted close together.
A larger guide is not always the best first solution.
Improving support geometry can reduce carriage loads substantially.
Static safety, fatigue life, rigidity, and permissible moment all need to be checked.
Cantilevered loads often make the most highly loaded carriage the controlling design condition.

What Is a Cantilevered Load?

A cantilevered load is a load whose center of gravity lies outside or substantially away from the guide system’s support footprint.

Examples include:

a tooling head projecting beyond the blocks
a robotic arm mounted to a linear slide
a gripper extending from the side of a carriage
an inspection camera on an offset bracket
a vertical plate carrying tooling away from the rail
a table with most of its payload on one end
an actuator carrying a suspended fixture

The further the load is positioned from the guide support center:

the greater the moment applied to the guide system.

Why Cantilevered Loads Are Harder on Linear Guides

Suppose a 100 kg load is mounted directly above the center of a four-block guide system.

Weight:

W = 100 × 9.81

W = 981 N

If the load is centered and there are no other forces, the guide system may distribute that load relatively evenly.

Now move the same load:

500 mm beyond the support center.

Moment:

M = 981 × 0.50

M = 490.5 N·m

The load still weighs:

981 N

but the guide system must now resist an additional:

490.5 N·m moment

That can make the block reactions far larger than a simple 981/4 calculation would suggest.

The Fundamental Cantilever Formula

For a static cantilevered weight:

M = W × d

and:

W = m × g

Therefore:

M = m × g × d

Example

Mass:

150 kg

Overhang:

0.40 m

Weight:

150 × 9.81 = 1,471.5 N

Moment:

1,471.5 × 0.40

= 588.6 N·m

That moment now has to be resisted by the guide arrangement.

Overhang Distance Matters as Much as Weight

Compare two cases.

Case A

Load:

1,000 N

Overhang:

100 mm

Moment:

100 N·m

Case B

Same load:

1,000 N

Overhang:

500 mm

Moment:

500 N·m

Same guide payload.

Five times the moment.

This is why a relatively light cantilevered attachment can be harder on a guide than a much heavier centered load.

Which Moment Direction Does the Cantilever Create?

That depends on where the load is positioned.

A cantilever can create:

pitch
yaw
roll

or several at the same time.

Pitch Cantilever

If the load extends:

forward or backward along the direction of travel

it commonly creates pitch moment.

Example:

A tool head projects 300 mm beyond the front of the carriage group.

Its weight creates pitch around the transverse axis.

Roll Cantilever

If the load extends:

to one side of the guide system

it creates roll moment.

Example:

A gripper is mounted 400 mm to the left of the rail centerline.

Its weight produces roll.

Yaw Cantilever

Horizontal forces applied at a longitudinal offset can produce yaw.

Example:

A side force from a tool acts 500 mm ahead of the carriage center.

That creates yaw about the vertical axis.

Cantilevered Loads Often Create Multiple Moments

Consider an industrial arm mounted:

300 mm above the guide plane
400 mm to the side
250 mm ahead of the block group

Its weight can create:

roll
pitch

and acceleration can create additional:

pitch
roll
yaw

depending on motion direction.

Do not force a complex cantilever into a one-dimensional calculation if the load is truly three-dimensional.

Start With a Free-Body Diagram

Before selecting a guide, draw the moving assembly and mark:

mass
center of gravity
guide plane
rail spacing
block spacing
tooling location
external forces
acceleration direction
actuator thrust location

THK’s selection process specifically treats the position of the center of gravity, working load, thrust position, guide arrangement, acceleration, stroke, and required life as relevant inputs to applied-load calculation.

Step 1: Calculate Static Weight

Use:

W = m × g

Example:

Moving assembly:

80 kg

Then:

W = 80 × 9.81

= 784.8 N

Step 2: Calculate the Static Cantilever Moment

Suppose that mass is mounted:

350 mm beyond the guide center.

Convert:

350 mm = 0.35 m

Then:

M = 784.8 × 0.35

= 274.7 N·m

That is the static moment caused by gravity.

Step 3: Add Dynamic Forces

If the axis accelerates, calculate:

F = m × a

Example:

Mass:

80 kg

Acceleration:

5 m/s²

Then:

F = 400 N

If the center of gravity is:

250 mm above the guide plane

then dynamic moment is:

M = 400 × 0.25

= 100 N·m

Depending on the motion direction, this may add to or subtract from the gravity-induced cantilever moment.

Step 4: Include Process Forces

Cantilevered tooling may also transmit:

cutting force
pressing force
insertion force
gripping reaction
hose/cable force

Suppose:

600 N process force

acts:

450 mm from the guide support center

Then:

M = 600 × 0.45

= 270 N·m

That may be comparable to or greater than the moment from the payload itself.

Step 5: Combine Moments by Axis

Do not simply add every moment into one number.

Calculate separately:

pitch moment
yaw moment
roll moment

Use signs consistently.

For example:

Pitch:

gravity overhang: +275 N·m
acceleration: +100 N·m
process force: −50 N·m

Net pitch:

325 N·m

Then separately calculate roll and yaw.

How Block Spacing Helps a Cantilevered Load

For pitch or yaw, greater block spacing gives the carriage group more leverage.

Simplified:

ΔF ≈ M / L

where:

M = applied pitch or yaw moment
L = center-to-center block spacing

Example

Cantilever moment:

400 N·m

Blocks 200 mm Apart

ΔF = 400 / 0.20

= 2,000 N

Blocks 400 mm Apart

ΔF = 400 / 0.40

= 1,000 N

Doubling block spacing cuts the reaction-force couple in half.

Why This Is Important for Cantilevers

A cantilever creates a moment because the load is far from the support.

You can attack that problem in two ways:

reduce the overhang distance
increase the support spacing

These are often more effective than simply installing a larger guide.

How Rail Spacing Helps a Side Cantilever

For roll moment:

ΔF ≈ M / S

where:

M = roll moment
S = center-to-center rail spacing

Example

Roll moment:

500 N·m

Rails 250 mm Apart

ΔF = 500 / 0.25

= 2,000 N

Rails 500 mm Apart

ΔF = 500 / 0.50

= 1,000 N

Again, doubling spacing halves the required reaction couple.

A Four-Block Cantilevered System

A common arrangement uses:

two rails
two blocks per rail

This creates a rectangular support footprint.

For cantilevered loads, that rectangle is critical.

Its:

width = rail spacing
length = block spacing

A larger support rectangle generally provides better leverage against moments.

Example: Overhung Load Ahead of the Table

Assume:

payload weight = 2,000 N
load overhang = 300 mm
block spacing = 500 mm
two blocks share the pitch reaction on each row

Moment:

M = 2,000 × 0.30

= 600 N·m

Simplified reaction couple:

ΔF = 600 / 0.50

= 1,200 N

The front and rear carriage rows must develop opposing reaction differences to resist that moment.

That reaction is added to the direct load already acting on the system.

Why Payload ÷ Number of Blocks Is Wrong Here

If you used:

2,000 N / 4 = 500 N per block

you would miss the cantilever reaction entirely.

One pair of blocks may carry substantially more than:

500 N

while another pair may be lightly loaded or even experience reverse loading.

That is the central sizing mistake in cantilevered applications.

THK Specifically Treats Overhung Mounting as a Separate Case

THK’s current applied-load reference includes a dedicated example for:

horizontal mount, overhung, with the block traveling

rather than treating it as an ordinary centered load. The published equations resolve the overhung geometry into different loads at the individual blocks.

That tells us something important:

cantilevered geometry must be explicitly calculated.

One Rail With a Cantilevered Load

A one-rail system has limited geometric leverage in the transverse direction.

Moment must be resisted more directly by:

block internal moment capacity
carriage length
carriage width
preload
guide architecture

One rail can work if:

load is light
overhang is modest
moments are within the block’s ratings
rigidity is adequate

But large cantilevers often favor a two-rail arrangement.

One Block With a Cantilevered Load

A single block is even more dependent on the block’s internal moment rating.

THK notes that when one LM block is used, moment loading can create highly nonuniform load distribution, and its guidance uses model-specific equivalent moment factors for evaluating the resulting load.

So for a single-block cantilever:

do not estimate moment capacity from C or C₀ alone.

Use:

permissible moment data
equivalent moment factors
manufacturer selection method

for the exact model.

Two Blocks Close Together

Two closely contacting blocks are not equivalent to two widely spaced blocks.

THK warns that close-contact arrangements can have nonuniform load distribution and excessive localized loading at the ends under moment load.

For a cantilever, this matters because the application is fundamentally moment-dominated.

Two Widely Spaced Blocks

If rail length permits, spreading two blocks apart usually gives a much stronger mechanical lever arm against pitch and yaw.

That can reduce:

peak carriage reactions
local contact stress
required guide size

while increasing:

rigidity
fatigue-life margin

Standard Blocks vs. Long Blocks

A long carriage can be useful for a cantilevered application because it may provide:

higher dynamic rating
higher static rating
greater permissible moment
greater rigidity

But a long block does not create the same support leverage as two blocks separated by a large distance.

Long Block

Improves local carriage capability.

Two Widely Spaced Blocks

Improves system-level moment leverage.

The best option depends on:

available rail length
required stroke
machine envelope

Ball Guides vs. Roller Guides for Cantilevered Loads

Roller guides can be attractive when a cantilever creates high:

moment load
rigidity demand
deflection sensitivity

because roller contact can provide higher stiffness and load density in appropriate guide families.

But do not automatically choose rollers simply because the word “cantilever” appears in the application.

A well-spaced ball-guide system may easily satisfy the required load and rigidity.

When Ball Guides Are Often Suitable

Ball-type profile guides are often a strong choice when:

cantilever is moderate
support footprint can be made sufficiently large
speed is important
smooth motion is important
required rigidity is achievable

When Roller Guides Deserve Strong Consideration

Roller-type guides become more attractive when:

overhang is large
process forces are high
angular deflection must be very small
machine envelope prevents increasing spacing
heavy cutting or pressing loads are present

Still verify the exact guide family.

Guide Size for a Cantilever

Do not choose guide size from:

payload weight

alone.

Use:

calculated individual carriage loads
static safety
dynamic life
permissible moments
rigidity

THK’s published selection sequence follows this same basic progression: calculate applied block load, convert to equivalent load, check static safety, calculate average load and nominal life, then evaluate rigidity and accuracy.

Static Safety for Cantilevered Loads

Once the worst block load is known, check static safety.

Conceptually:

fs = C₀ / Pmax

where:

C₀ = basic static load rating
Pmax = maximum equivalent carriage load

Cantilever moments can make Pmax much larger than the average direct load.

Fatigue Life for Cantilevered Loads

Cantilever-induced reaction load also affects fatigue life.

For ball guides, nominal life is strongly dependent on the ratio:

C / P

Because life varies approximately with the cube of load ratio for applicable ball-guide ratings, reducing a carriage load through improved spacing can create a very large life increase.

Example: Geometry vs. Guide Size

Suppose a critical block sees:

6 kN

because the blocks are closely spaced.

If the geometry is changed and the block load drops to:

4 kN

then, all else equal, the theoretical ball-guide life ratio is:

(6 / 4)³

= 3.375

That is more than a threefold life increase without changing the carriage.

Rigidity May Control Before Load Rating

Cantilevered loads are particularly sensitive to deflection.

Even if the guide safely carries the load, the tool may move too much.

A small angular rotation at the guide can create a large displacement at the end of a long cantilever.

Angular Error Gets Amplified by Overhang

Suppose a support rotates by a small angle θ.

Tip displacement is approximately:

δ ≈ d × θ

for small angles.

As overhang d increases:

tip error increases proportionally.

This is why rigidity can be more important than basic load capacity in:

machining
inspection
dispensing
robotic handling

Example of Cantilever Tip Error

If the guide/table assembly rotates:

0.001 rad

and the tool is:

500 mm away

then approximate tip movement is:

0.001 × 500 mm

= 0.5 mm

That may be unacceptable even if the guide is nowhere near its static rating.

Preload and Cantilevered Loads

Preload can improve:

rigidity
response under reversing moments
resistance to clearance

But higher preload also increases internal rolling-element loading.

Use preload to meet a defined stiffness requirement.

Do not use excessive preload as a substitute for poor geometry.

The Best Fix Is Often Reducing the Cantilever

Moment is:

M = F × d

So reducing d directly reduces moment.

Suppose:

F = 2,000 N

500 mm Overhang

M = 1,000 N·m

300 mm Overhang

M = 600 N·m

Simply moving the payload:

200 mm closer

reduces moment by:

40%

That can outperform a significant increase in guide size.

Move the Guide Toward the Load

If the machine allows it, reposition:

rails
blocks
table support

closer to the load center.

The guide should support the load where the load actually acts.

Lower the Center of Gravity

A high cantilever may create large dynamic moment during acceleration.

If:

M = F × h

lowering h reduces moment.

This is especially valuable in:

pick-and-place systems
gantries
robotic slides

Increase Block Spacing

If pitch or yaw is the problem:

increase longitudinal block spacing

where practical.

Increase Rail Spacing

If roll is the problem:

increase transverse rail spacing

where practical.

Increase Table Stiffness

The guide system cannot compensate for a flexible plate.

Cantilevered loads can bend or twist:

moving table
mounting bracket
base plate

If the structure flexes significantly, theoretical block load sharing may not occur as expected.

Cantilever Brackets Need Attention

A thin cantilever bracket can create:

bending
torsion
vibration

before the guide itself becomes the limiting component.

Check:

section thickness
ribbing
material
bolt pattern
joint stiffness

Mounting Surface Accuracy Becomes More Important

High moment loads can magnify the consequences of:

rail misalignment
height error
nonparallel rails
warped carriage plate

A high-preload, heavily cantilevered system may be particularly sensitive to mounting error.

Horizontal Cantilever

A horizontal cantilever often creates a static gravity moment continuously.

That means the guide experiences the moment even while stopped.

THK specifically includes overhung horizontal installation as a distinct static/uniform-motion loading case in its current LM Guide calculation framework.

Vertical Cantilever

A vertically mounted axis changes the way gravity acts relative to the guide.

Depending on the arrangement, the guide may experience:

direct axial/transverse load
moment
reversed load during acceleration

THK treats mounting orientation as a required selection condition rather than assuming horizontal mounting.

Wall-Mounted Cantilever

Wall-mounted guides can be particularly sensitive to:

sideways gravity loading
roll/pitch moment
lubrication orientation

The exact guide load should be calculated for that mounting condition.

Cantilevered Robotic Arm

For a robot or articulated tool mounted on a linear axis, include:

arm mass
payload mass
changing arm position
joint acceleration
maximum reach

Worst-case cantilever may occur only at full extension, but it can still control guide sizing.

Cantilevered Pick-and-Place Head

For a vertical Z-axis mounted ahead of an X-axis carriage, include:

Z-axis mass
gripper
workpiece
full Z extension
X acceleration

The extended Z-axis can create substantial pitch moment on the X-axis guides.

Cantilevered Machine Tool Head

A spindle or cutting head can combine:

heavy static overhang
cutting force
acceleration
vibration

This is a strong candidate for:

generous block spacing
wide rail spacing
high structural stiffness

and potentially roller guidance if rigidity demands warrant it.

Cantilevered Inspection Sensor

The load may be light, but the allowable deflection may be extremely small.

In that case:

rigidity, not load capacity, controls selection.

Cantilevered Conveyor or Transfer Plate

A product carrier extending beyond the rails may create changing moment as the product moves.

Evaluate the:

worst payload location
loaded/unloaded cycle
acceleration state

rather than using only the average load.

Dynamic Cantilever Loading

A cantilever can become much more severe during acceleration.

Suppose:

mass = 120 kg
acceleration = 8 m/s²
CG height = 0.40 m

Inertial force:

F = 120 × 8

= 960 N

Moment:

M = 960 × 0.40

= 384 N·m

That dynamic moment may reverse during deceleration.

Emergency Stop Conditions

An emergency stop can generate much higher deceleration than the normal machine cycle.

Where relevant, evaluate:

normal acceleration
normal deceleration
emergency deceleration
collision/hard-stop cases

for static safety.

A Worked Cantilevered Guide Example

Assume a four-block, two-rail system.

Moving payload:

100 kg

Static forward overhang:

300 mm

CG height:

250 mm

Acceleration:

4 m/s²

Block spacing:

500 mm

Rail spacing:

400 mm

Step 1: Weight

W = 100 × 9.81

= 981 N

Step 2: Static Pitch Moment

Mp,static = 981 × 0.30

= 294.3 N·m

Step 3: Acceleration Force

F = 100 × 4

= 400 N

Step 4: Dynamic Pitch Moment

Mp,dynamic = 400 × 0.25

= 100 N·m

Assume these act in the same pitch direction during acceleration.

Total:

Mp = 394.3 N·m

Step 5: Pitch Reaction

Block spacing:

0.50 m

Simplified pitch reaction couple:

ΔF = 394.3 / 0.50

≈ 788.6 N

The front and rear carriage rows must react that moment while also supporting direct weight.

This is already much more informative than simply saying:

981 / 4 = 245 N per block

Add Side Cantilever

Now suppose the CG is also:

200 mm to the side

Static roll moment:

Mr = 981 × 0.20

= 196.2 N·m

Rail spacing:

0.40 m

Roll reaction:

ΔF = 196.2 / 0.40

≈ 490.5 N

Now the most heavily loaded carriage can receive contributions from:

direct weight
pitch
roll

simultaneously.

That carriage becomes the critical design point.

Do Not Simply Add Moment Ratings

If pitch and roll act simultaneously, do not assume you can compare:

Mp + Mr

to a single catalog moment.

They act about different axes.

Resolve the actual loads or use the manufacturer’s combined-load methodology.

How to Choose the Guide

Use this sequence.

Step 1: Define the Complete Cantilever Geometry

Record:

load mass
X offset
Y offset
Z offset

Step 2: Define All External Forces

Include:

gravity
acceleration
process force
drive force

Step 3: Calculate Pitch, Yaw, and Roll

Use:

M = F × d

Step 4: Establish Candidate Rail Spacing

This determines roll leverage.

Step 5: Establish Candidate Block Spacing

This determines pitch/yaw leverage.

Step 6: Calculate Individual Block Loads

Use statics or the manufacturer’s published calculation.

Step 7: Select a Candidate Guide Size

Use the actual carriage loads.

Step 8: Check Static Safety

Verify C₀ and permissible moments.

Step 9: Check Fatigue Life

Use C and fatigue-equivalent block load.

Step 10: Check Rigidity

Especially important for long overhangs.

Step 11: Check Preload

Use only what the rigidity requirement needs.

Step 12: Check Machine Structure

The bracket, table, and base must be stiff enough.

Step 13: Optimize Geometry

Before upsizing, consider:

shorter cantilever
wider rails
wider block spacing
lower CG

When to Move Up a Rail Size

Upsizing makes sense when:

carriage load remains too high after geometry is optimized
static safety is inadequate
life is insufficient
permissible moment is inadequate
rigidity is insufficient

Do not upsize solely because the payload looks large.

When to Use Long Blocks

Consider long blocks when:

moment rating is limiting
extra block spacing is impossible
machine envelope is constrained
higher local rigidity is needed

When to Use Four Blocks Instead of Two

Four blocks are attractive when:

cantilever is significant
table is broad
pitch and roll both matter
higher rigidity is required

The larger rectangular support footprint can dramatically improve the system.

When to Use Two Rails Instead of One

Two rails deserve strong consideration when:

roll moment is significant
load sits far from the rail centerline
table is wide
torsional stability matters

When to Reconsider the Machine Architecture

Sometimes the correct answer is not a larger guide.

It may be:

move the load between the rails
add support on the opposite side
shorten the tool bracket
change actuator placement
use a boxed frame rather than an open cantilever

Good linear-guide selection starts with good mechanical architecture.

Common Cantilevered-Load Selection Mistakes

Mistake 1: Sizing From Payload Weight

Moment can dominate the design.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Overhang Distance

Moment rises directly with distance.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Dynamic Forces

Acceleration can add large moments.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Process Load

Tool forces may exceed gravity effects.

Mistake 5: Using One Guide Because It Fits

A two-rail arrangement may greatly improve roll stability.

Mistake 6: Putting Blocks Too Close Together

This wastes moment leverage.

Mistake 7: Using Higher Preload to Fix Bad Geometry

Preload cannot remove the applied moment.

Mistake 8: Checking C₀ but Not Rigidity

The guide may survive and still deflect too much.

Mistake 9: Ignoring Bracket Flexure

Structural deflection may exceed guide deflection.

Mistake 10: Assuming All Blocks Share Load Equally

Cantilevered geometry usually prevents that.

Mistake 11: Ignoring Reverse Load

One side may experience unloading or reverse-radial load.

Mistake 12: Selecting by Nominal Rail Size Alone

Two size-25 guides from different series can have different ratings, moments, preload options, and geometry.

Linear Automation USA's Perspective

At Linear Automation USA, we view cantilevered applications as moment-load problems first and payload problems second.

When someone tells us:

“The load only weighs 100 pounds,”

that does not tell us enough.

We also want to know:

how far it extends
where its center of gravity sits
how fast the axis accelerates
where the process force acts
how far apart the blocks are
how far apart the rails are

A 100-pound load directly over the carriage can be easy.

The same 100-pound load several feet away can completely change the guide requirement.

Our preferred design approach is:

mass → center of gravity → overhang → forces → moments → support spacing → individual carriage loads → rigidity → static safety → life

We also try to solve the geometry before increasing guide size.

If a cantilever is creating excessive load, we look first at whether we can:

move the load closer
increase block spacing
increase rail spacing
lower the center of gravity
stiffen the support structure

Only after that do we decide whether a larger or more rigid guide is necessary.

Linear Automation USA supports industrial profile rail systems from Schaeffler, SBC Linear, and WON Linear, including guide sizing, replacement identification, and application support.

Our rule is:

Never select a linear guide for a cantilevered load from weight alone. Calculate the moment and the resulting load on the most heavily loaded carriage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Cantilevered Load on a Linear Guide?

A cantilevered load has its center of gravity offset from the guide system’s main support footprint, creating a moment in addition to direct load.

What Is the Formula for Cantilever Moment?

M = F × d

For a static weight:

M = m × g × d

Does a Longer Cantilever Increase Guide Load?

Yes. Moment increases directly with cantilever distance.

Should I Use a Bigger Linear Guide for a Cantilever?

Possibly, but first evaluate whether better rail spacing, block spacing, or a shorter cantilever can reduce the carriage loads.

Are Two Blocks Better Than One for a Cantilever?

Often, because separated blocks provide a larger moment-resisting lever arm. The amount of spacing matters greatly.

Are Two Rails Better Than One?

For significant roll moments or wide cantilevers, two rails can provide much better geometric leverage.

Should Linear Guide Blocks Be Far Apart for Cantilevered Loads?

Generally, greater block spacing helps resist pitch and yaw moments, provided required stroke and machine envelope are preserved.

Should Rails Be Far Apart?

Greater rail spacing generally helps resist roll moment.

Are Long Blocks Good for Cantilevered Loads?

They can be. Long blocks often provide higher ratings and moment capacity, but they are not mechanically identical to two widely spaced blocks.

Are Roller Guides Better for Cantilevered Loads?

They can be advantageous where rigidity and load density are critical, but ball guides can be entirely appropriate when the support geometry and loads permit.

Does Preload Help With a Cantilever?

Preload can increase rigidity, but it does not reduce the external moment itself.

Why Is Rigidity So Important?

A small angular deflection at the guide can become a much larger linear error at the end of a long cantilever.

Need Help Selecting a Guide for a Cantilevered Load?

For an application review, document:

payload mass
center-of-gravity location
horizontal overhang
vertical offset
rail spacing
block spacing
number of rails
number of blocks
acceleration/deceleration
process force
actuator force location
required stroke
required rigidity
required service life

Contact Linear Automation USA with those details when evaluating a cantilevered linear-guide application.

Sources & Technical References

THK — Applied Load

THK’s current applied-load guidance explicitly includes horizontal overhung mounting and calculates block loading from center-of-gravity location, guide spacing, block spacing, thrust position, inertia, and external forces. It also addresses moment equivalence for one-block and close-contact configurations.