Linear Guide Production Process Solution
- Linear Guide Rail Manufacturing Process
- Linear Guide Slider Production Process
1.Raw Material Preparation
Material Preparation
High-carbon steel: Using cold-rolled profile steel from Zhejiang Tianyu and Anhui Yalei, quenched S55C reaches HRC 55–60 hardness with excellent wear resistance, ideal for high-load, high-precision applications such as CNC machines.
Stainless steel: SCM440 billets from Henan Jigang offer HRC 50–60 hardness and strong corrosion resistance, ideal for humid or corrosive environments such as food processing equipment.
2. Rail Machining Process
Automatic Drilling
We are equipped with an automated drilling machine that handles loading and unloading automatically while precisely controlling hole spacing. It features a dual milling spindle driven by three independent servo axes, allowing drilling, countersinking, and deburring to be completed in a single clamping. The hole spacing tolerance is within ≤0.15mm, and overall drilling speed is increased by 2 to 12 times.
Straightening
We correct linear rail deformation caused by drilling. A 40-ton hydraulic press is used to straighten bent rails, ensuring their straightness, parallelism, and perpendicularity meet the required standards.
Top Surface Grinding
Next, the top surface of the linear track is ground on a surface grinder to facilitate accurate positioning and ensure precision in subsequent processes. Multiple rails are clamped on the magnetic table and ground simultaneously to improve processing efficiency.
Side & Bottom Grinding
The linear slide rail is ground on a three-face grinding machine to process both ball raceway sides and the bottom mounting surface. After precise clamping and alignment, the process begins with rough grinding (to remove excess material), followed by semi-finish grinding (to control geometric tolerances), and finally finish grinding (to ensure surface roughness). The entire grinding process is typically completed in about 25 minutes.
2. Rail Machining Process
Sample testing
We strictly control the quality of our guide rail. After production, a small section is cut from both the first and last piece to inspect the profile, surface roughness, and hardness. The results are recorded and retained for quality tracking.
Sample testing
We strictly control the quality of our guide rail. After production, a small section is cut from both the first and last piece to inspect the profile, surface roughness, and hardness. The results are recorded and retained for quality tracking.
Sample testing
We strictly control the quality of our guide rail. After production, a small section is cut from both the first and last piece to inspect the profile, surface roughness, and hardness. The results are recorded and retained for quality tracking.
Sample testing
We strictly control the quality of our guide rail. After production, a small section is cut from both the first and last piece to inspect the profile, surface roughness, and hardness. The results are recorded and retained for quality tracking.
4. Post-Machining Processes
Cleaning & Pre-Packaging
Our automated cleaning line can automatically clean and package the processed linear bearing rails to improve operating efficiency.
Custom Cutting
There are two cutting methods:
• Saw cutting:Fast but less precise with significant burrs, requiring manual deburring using an angle grinder. Suitable for customers who need short rails without splicing.
• Wire cutting:Slower but highly precise with burr-free results. Ideal for customers who require spliced rails, ensuring consistent distance from the cut end to the mounting holes.
Laser Marking
We use a laser marking machine to evenly engrave the product model, batch number, and custom logo on the linear track, making product traceability easier.
Surface Treatment
For applications in special environments, we apply different surface treatments to enhance corrosion resistance and extend product lifespan. Stainless steel linear guide undergoes passivation treatment, while high-carbon steel linear guide is treated with hard chrome plating or blackening.
5. Final Cleaning & Packaging
Final Cleaning & Sealing
The products pass through the semi-automatic washing machine before entering the packaging machine.
Boxing & Warehousing
Customized products are packaged separately from regular products to avoid mixing.
1. Raw Materials Preparation
Raw Materials Preparation
High Carbon Steel Block: The block is made from cold-rolled profiled steel supplied by Zhejiang Tianyu Section Steel Technology Co., Ltd. and Anhui Yalei Precision Materials Co., Ltd. It uses quenched S55C high carbon steel, which offers a surface hardness of HRC 55–60 and excellent wear resistance. This material is ideal for high-load, high-precision applications such as CNC machine tools.
Stainless Steel Block: Made from SCM440 stainless steel billets supplied by Henan Jigang High-Quality Steel Co., Ltd., this block features strong corrosion resistance and high hardness (HRC 50–60). It is suitable for humid or corrosive environments, such as food processing equipment. The finished stainless steel block undergoes passivation treatment to further enhance corrosion resistance and extend service life.
Other accessories: Ball circulation unit, ball retainer, rail clamp, scraper, dust strip
Raw Materials Preparation
High Carbon Steel Block: The block is made from cold-rolled profiled steel supplied by Zhejiang Tianyu Section Steel Technology Co., Ltd. and Anhui Yalei Precision Materials Co., Ltd. It uses quenched S55C high carbon steel, which offers a surface hardness of HRC 55–60 and excellent wear resistance. This material is ideal for high-load, high-precision applications such as CNC machine tools.
Stainless Steel Block: Made from SCM440 stainless steel billets supplied by Henan Jigang High-Quality Steel Co., Ltd., this block features strong corrosion resistance and high hardness (HRC 50–60). It is suitable for humid or corrosive environments, such as food processing equipment. The finished stainless steel block undergoes passivation treatment to further enhance corrosion resistance and extend service life.
Other accessories: Ball circulation unit, ball retainer, rail clamp, scraper, dust strip
2. Machining process
Cutting Slider Raw Material
We use sawing machines to cut the long raw material blanks into the required size of the slider to facilitate subsequent processing and reduce material loss.
Trimming the Cutting Surface
The side surface (cutting face) of the block is ground to establish a reference for subsequent processes and to remove burrs generated during machining, laying the groundwork for the next clamping step.
CNC Machining
Threaded holes and ball track through-holes are machined on the block to facilitate subsequent product positioning.
Machining Inspection
During the production process, inspection personnel perform regular, fixed-point, and sample-based checks to ensure product quality.
3. Heat Treatment and Precision Grinding
Carburization
Carburizing heat treatment is applied to high-carbon steel parts to diffuse carbon atoms into the surface, increasing surface hardness to HRC 58–63 and enhancing wear resistance.
Grinding the Machining Reference Surface
The machining reference surface of the slider is ground using a surface grinder in a temperature-controlled environment to prevent accuracy errors caused by temperature fluctuations.
Grinding of the Ball Groove of the Linear Guide Slider
Similarly, precision grinding of the slider's ball groove (semi-circular surface) is carried out in a temperature-controlled room to ensure the fitting accuracy between the guide rail and the slider.
4. Post-Processing and Assembly
Ultrasonic Cleaning
Ultrasonic equipment is used to remove residual iron chips and cutting fluid from the slider's surface, followed by an anti-rust oil immersion treatment to prevent corrosion.
Linear Guide Block Assembly
The blocks are manually assembled by technicians according to process requirements to ensure stable performance of each unit.
Comprehensive Inspection
The inspection items include:
• Whether the combined height of the slider is within the allowable tolerance range
• Whether the thrust of the slider on the guide rail meets the required standard
5. Labeling and Packaging
Laser Marking
Product model, batch number, and custom logo are engraved on the non-mounting surface of the slider using laser marking, enabling easy product traceability and quality control.
Automatic Packaging
After identifying the slider, the packaging machine automatically completes the sealing process. Operators then place the finished products neatly and uniformly into shipping boxes in preparation for delivery.
-
How to Assemble the Linear Rail and Slider
-
Pre-Installation Preparations
01•Check whether the model and specifications of the guide rail and slider match to ensure installation accuracy.
•Clean the mounting surfaces of the linear guide rail and block to remove oil and impurities.
•Check the straightness and perpendicularity of the guide rail and slider to ensure installation quality.
-
List of Tools and Materials Needed
02Tools:Hex wrench, caliper, screwdriver, micrometer, etc.
Materials: Guide rails, sliders, bolts, nuts, etc.
-
Slider Position Determination and Fixing Method
Slider Model Selection03Select the appropriate slider model based on load, speed, and other application requirements.
Slider Installation PositionDetermine the slider position on the reference surface according to design specifications, and secure it using bolts or other fasteners.
Tightening TorqueUse a torque wrench or similar tool to check the tightening torque of the fasteners, ensuring the slider is securely fixed.
-
Notes on Rail Installation
Guide Rail Installation Sequence04Install the reference rail first, followed by the auxiliary rail, according to the specified sequence.
Guide Rail ParallelismDuring installation, ensure that the parallelism of the rails is within the specified tolerance to allow smooth movement of the slider along the rails.
Rail Joint HandlingFor long guide rails, use joint blocks or other connectors to join the rail sections, and ensure the flatness and rigidity at the joints are maintained.
-
Preliminary Inspection and Adjustment
Slider Movement Check05After installation, check the sliding of the carriage on the rail to ensure smooth movement without any jamming.
Fastener CheckRecheck all fasteners to ensure they are securely tightened, ensuring there is no looseness between the guide rail and the carriage.
Accuracy CheckIf necessary, use relevant instruments to check the accuracy of the linear guide rail and carriage, ensuring it meets the design specifications.
You May also Interested in
-
Surface Treatment
We have surface treatment production lines, chrome coating thickness detector, salt spray testers and other equipment as well as a variety of solutions for surface treatment of linear guides.
Read More >> -
R&D
JSM has an excellent technical and design team with many years of industry experience and can provide customers with customized linear guide solutions.
Read More >> -
Quality Assuranc
As a China linear guide manufacturer, JSM has formed a professional quality inspection team to supervise the entire production process from raw material procurement to finished product output.
Read More >> -
Custom Linear Guide Rail and Slider
With nearly 10 years of industry experience, JSM provides customized solutions to customers in countries such as Italy, Brazil, Argentina, Türkiye, Australia, etc.
Read More >>