Linear guiding and driving unit

摘要

A generally U-shaped guide carriage is linearly guided on a longitudinally-extending rail track by at least one circuit of roller balls carried by each of the depending flanges of the U-shaped guide carriage. Each ball circuit includes a linear load-bearing row and a linear return row of roller balls. The load-bearing balls bear against facing ball rolling tracks carried by the opposite sides of the rail track. A cross member is connected adjacent one end of the rail track and carries rolling track engagement faces for engaging the ball rolling tracks on the rail track. An entraining unit is connected to the guide carriage, and a linear drive is coupled between the cross member and entraining unit for driving the guide carriage along the rail track. In another embodiment, a common steel insert is carried by each depending flange of the U-shaped guide carriage and supports the load-bearing row or rows of the associated ball circuits.