2026-07-20

When standard rail guides are not enough – three problem solvers

Linear Rail Aluminium, Linear Rail WRC and Roller Guides

For very heavy loads, a standard linear rail system may not be sufficient. In such cases, a roller guide can be the right solution for the application. In other situations, factors such as low installation weight and corrosion resistance may be decisive, making aluminium rail guides a suitable choice

Linear rail guides – a solution for many different types of applications

Classic steel rail guide systems offer high load capacity and are suitable for a wide range of applications. However, there are cases where specific requirements apply, such as corrosion resistance, low installation weight, or extremely high loads. In these situations, there are a few problem‑solving alternatives to consider. We take a closer look at them in this blog post.

Aluminium rail guides – lightweight and corrosionresistant

If low weight and corrosion resistance are important factors, an aluminium rail guide may be the right solution for your application. Rollco’s aluminium rail guides feature integrated stainless steel raceways for the slider balls. The main advantage of this rail system is its low weight, resulting in a weight reduction of up to 60% compared to steel rail guides. In addition, the corrosion‑resistant material is a clear benefit.

The sliders are available in both wide and narrow versions. They can also be supplied with an integrated lubrication container, simplifying maintenance by extending service intervals. Rails are cut to lengths adapted to the needs of the application.

FEATURES

  • Low weight
  • Stainless steel
  • Performs well in tough environments with dust, debris, etc.
Linear roller guides – for truly heavy loads

Roller guides work in the same way as ball rail guides, but instead of balls, they use rollers in the block's four raceways. This provides a larger contact areaRoller guide and ball guide between the slider and the rail. Roller guides are primarily used where high load capacity and high stiffness are required, while a compact design is still desirable.

The optimized design of the rails and slider blocks, together with an integrated lubrication system, provides both economic and technical advantages. As an option, rails and blocks can be surface treated with an HCP (High corrosion protection) coating.

FEATURES

  • Long service life, high load capacity and rigidity.
  • Large contact surface across the entire load zone.
  • High operational reliability
  • Integrated seals and lubrication systems
WRC rail guide – an excellent choice for singlerail installations

WRC is a wide rail guide with an optional ball chain for all dimensions. The WRC system has the four steel ball rows in a O-type arrangement which gives a 45-degree contact angle to the rail. This allows the rail guide to achieve equally high load capacity in all four directions, making it an excellent choice for single-rail installations. The rail guide also has more and larger steel balls, which increases load capacity, moment, and torsional stiffness.

HRC-WRC_O_vs_X-arrangements

FEATURES

  • Quiet with long lifespan
  • High quality
  • High speed ball chain
  • Dustproof design

 

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