This section provides an overview for linear guide rails as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 21 linear guide rail manufacturers and their company rankings.
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A linear guide rail is a rail-like structure used to attach sensors or other devices, commonly found in industrial and automation applications. These rails feature holes or slots for easy mounting and are known for their ease of replacement and maintenance. Wiring can be conveniently routed along the rails for a cleaner appearance.
Linear guide rails adhere to standardized specifications, allowing compatibility with a wide range of manufacturers and devices. It is important to consider the electrical characteristics and requirements of the devices being mounted, including proper isolation and grounding.
Linear guide rails have diverse applications:
Used in automation and control systems, linear guide rails support the installation of various sensors and devices. In production lines, they can hold position and temperature sensors for process monitoring and control. These devices work in conjunction with controllers to facilitate automated processes.
Linear guide rails play a crucial role in security systems, supporting equipment like surveillance cameras. They also mount motion sensors and door access controls, enhancing security by detecting unauthorized entry or movement.
In building management systems, linear guide rails are used for environmental monitoring. They support lighting and light sensors in lighting control systems and can hold temperature and humidity sensors for maintaining comfortable environments and improving energy efficiency.
Linear guide rails provide a standardized structure for positioning sensors and devices. They are typically made from lightweight and cost-effective materials like aluminum, although stainless steel is preferred for corrosion resistance. Rails can be cut to required lengths and feature holes or slots for mounting sensors or devices.
Various types of linear guide rails include:
This type has a parallel flange at the top, providing space for sensor mounting, and is suitable for horizontal placements.
Featuring a flange protruding at a right angle at the top, this type is used for perpendicular mounting, useful in tight spaces or complex arrangements.
A straight rail without a top flange, this type is ideal for simple, straight-line arrangements or when a high density of sensors and devices is required.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Hiwin Technologies Corp. was established in 1989 in Taichung, Taiwan, with subsidiaries across Asia, Europe, and the United States. The company is the first linear motion and motion control product manufacturer in the world to attain ISO-9001 and ISO-14001 certification and serves industries such as medical laboratories, packaging, metal fabrication, and general automation. The company uses CAD technology to design products such as linear guideways, ball screws & supports, torque motors, and industrial robotics machines.
Rockford Ball Screw, a company founded in 1973, based in Rockford, Illinois, is a manufacturer and supplier of ball screws. The company offers flagship products which include ball screws and guide rail products with various configurations and custom specifications. The products are desigend with the latest advanced technology in ball-screw and linear guide rail technology. These products are used in multiple commercial and industrial machinery applications. The company also offers services and repairs with unique linear motion techniques.
PBC Linear was established in 1983 in Rockford, IL as a manufacturer and supplier of a large array of inventive products and services related to linear motion technologies The portfolio of the company includes linear bearings and rails, patented linear guide systems, linear actuator technology, and also SIMOR) extrusion process. Their Applied Cobotics brand has introduced the Cobot Feeder which offers customers a collaborative automation tool for light’s-out manufacturing. They are continuing to provide expanding markets with effective products and services.
Anaheim Automation is a manufacturer of motion control and automation products based in California since 1966. Their product list includes Stepper Motors and its Drivers, Controllers, Linear Actuators, and gearmotors that have applications in position control. There are also Brushless DC products, Servo motors, and systems, Integrated Circuits, AC Motors, and more that are necessary for equipment upgrades, process control, XY, and rotary tables, pump flow control, and material handling for industries that involve medical diagnostics, food, cosmetics, labeling, and robotics.
Isotech was founded in 182 and is headquartered in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. Isotech is a manufacturer’s representative and distributor of proprietary mechanical and electromechanical products to the industrial, medical, and military OEM and in-plant markets. Some of Isotech’s products include linear slide assemblies & rail sets, shock/vibration mounts & pads, linear bushings & shafting, telescoping lifting columns, positioning stages, air bearings, gas springs/air cylinders, motorized positioning tables, laser marking cutting systems, foamed aluminum/metal/composites, stamped metal, noise control products, and belt driven actuators.
Saffire Grill Co. was established in 2008 and is based in Rockford, Illinois, United States as a manufacturer and supplier of ceramic grill products. The company’s product portfolio includes ceramic grills, grill carts, grill accessories, and grill recipes, among others. The ceramic grill products offered by the company are crucial components in outdoor cooking, enabling delicious and adaptable grilling. The products are used in various settings such as backyards, patios, campsites, and tailgates.
Hangzhou Chinabase Machinery Co., Ltd., founded in 1992 and based in Hangzhou, China, is a manufacturer specializing in an array of products, including power transmission components. Its key products encompass chains and sprockets for industrial power transmission, gearboxes to enhance torque and reduce speed, couplings for shaft connections, and gears used across industrial applications. Its products find applications in automation, conveyor technology, packaging, food, pharmaceuticals, and more. The company maintains quality and sustainability, holding certifications like ISO 9002, ISO 9001, API, ISO/TS 16949:2002, and ISO 10012 measurement management system.
CHAMBRELAN Inc., established in 1956 and headquartered in Le Havre, France, is a manufacturer specializing in industrial telescopic ball bearing slides and linear guide rails. The company's product catalog includes a diverse range of offerings, such as drawer slides, linear bearing guides, hanging rails, drawer guides, bottom-mount drawer slides, and more. The company caters to an array of sectors, including the aerospace industry, vehicle fitting, handling production machinery, rail transport, medical sector, and others.
Ewellix is based in Göteborg, Sweden, and is a manufacturer of linear motion and actuation solutions originally founded in 1968 as SKF Motion Technologies before being acquired by Triton Partners in 2018. The company’s products include ball and roller screws, lifting columns, and linear guides. These are mainly used by clients in the medical device production, automated assembly design, and mobile machinery markets. The company also offers training events, tool guides, and machine performance optimization software.
Omron Corporation, started in 1933 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is a manufacturer of automation components, equipment, and systems, and it developed the first contactless proximity switch in 1960. It has four domains, including industrial automation, electronic components, healthcare, and social systems, and it provides products and services in around 120 countries and regions. Some of its products include microsensing devices, access control systems, industrial robots, surveillance cameras, and blood pressure monitors. In 1971, it developed the first online cash machine, and in 1972, it established Japan’s first welfare factory.
Bosch Rexroth’s origins date back to 1795 and is now based in Lohr am Main, Germany. Bosh Rexroth is a manufacturer of industrial and mobile equipment control and motion products and systems. Bosch Rexroth’s products are divided into 10 technology segments. First is assembly technology which includes modular components. Next are electronic drives and controls which include CNC and motion control. Industrial hydraulics and linear motion technology follow. Mobile hydraulics, electronics, and IoT include solutions for mobile machines. Gear technology includes planetary gearboxes. The final four segments are molding and casting technology, tightening technology, resistance welding, and mobile robotics.
Thomson Industries, headquartered in the United States, is a global manufacturer of motion control solutions since 1936. They have been one of the forerunners in the motion technology industry with products supplying optimized motion solutions to a broad range of industries and application areas including factory automation, medical, aerospace and defense, and more. The company merged with Regal Rexnord in 2023 as a key business in the automation and specialty platform. As part of Regal Rexnord, they are even more equipped to provide complete system solutions through their control, drive, power transmission and precision linear motion technologies.
Rollon Corp, established in 1979 in New Jersey, USA, is a manufacturer of linear guide systems, actuators, and telescopic rails. The company operates in the USA, Italy, Germany, France, UK, China, and India, offering efficient linear guides, drives, and systems for various applications. The products include Compact Rails, Prismatic Rails, Telerace, Robot Transfer Units, and Clean Room Actuator Systems, to name a few. They have applications in automation, aerospace, transportation, and medical systems owing to their precision in movement, easy handling of components, and accurate positioning in aggressive work environment such as extreme heat.
Iwata Mfg. Co., Ltd., established in 1966 and headquartered in Gifu, Japan, is a manufacturer of commercial machinery components and power transmission equipment. The company offers a wide range of products, including bearing rollers, end plates, leveling systems, nameplates, and seals. It also provides set collars, shims, sensor brackets, and trims. Its product requires less maintenance than oil-injected air compressors because it doesn't require oil changes or filter replacements. It serves a diverse range of industries, including coating applications, refinishing applications, manufacturing, and vacuum pumps.
Shandong Just Win Machinery Manufacturing Co. Ltd., based out of Liaocheng City, Shandong, China, is a manufacturer, distributor, and supplier of linear motion assemblies and components. The company's main product range includes linear guides, rack gears, and linear shafts. It also produces a range of motors and drive components and can manufacture linear motion solutions suitable for precision CNC and laser machine centers. The company offers full OEM and ODM services as well as welcoming custom linear motion projects.
Nadella Inc. established in 1930 and based in Milano, Italy, is a supplier of linear guide components and anti-friction bearings. The company also procures and distributes various products, such as telescopic rails, rod ends, spherical plain bearings, ball joints, and precision ball screws. These components are used in agricultural technology, automotive industry, construction machines, and special-purpose packaging machines. It has 8 production facilities and operates in 14 different locations. The company holds ISO 9001-2000 and ISO 14001-2005 and was acquired by ICG in 2018.
Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 6 | 42.9% |
China | 4 | 28.6% |
France | 1 | 7.1% |
Japan | 1 | 7.1% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 7.1% |
Australia | 1 | 7.1% |