Roller guides are linear guides in which running rollers roll on the raceways of a rail. They run smoothly, are suitable for high speeds and are comparatively insensitive to dirt. The functional principle of a single roller guide is explained in the glossary entry of the same name. This page compares the Franke roller guides and helps with the selection.
What distinguishes Franke roller guides
- Wire raceways: Raceways made of wire are inserted into the aluminium profiles. The principle comes from the wire race bearing.
- Maintenance free: The needle bearings or ball bearings in the running rollers are lifetime lubricated.
- Quiet: Franke roller guides run with a quiet, even rustle.
- Aluminium: Rails and carriages are made of aluminium and therefore match aluminium constructions.
- Patented guidance: A groove in the running rollers adapted to the wire raceways prevents the rollers from shifting on their bolts and rubbing against the housing.
Roller guide or recirculating ball guide?
In a recirculating ball guide, balls circulate in the carriage. It achieves high accuracy and stiffness, is usually made of steel and is lubricated. A roller guide plays to its strengths when high speeds, low weight and insensitivity to dirt are required. A detailed comparison of all types is provided in the entry linear guide.
Designs
Profile rail with carriage
The profile rail with carriage consists of only two assemblies: the profile rail and the carriage running on it. Profile and carriage shape can be adapted individually, and a wider profile stabilises the base.
Pair of profile rails with pair of roller shoes
With the pair of profile rails with pair of roller shoes, the guide width can be selected freely via the distance between the two rails. The roller shoes are bolted directly to the adjacent structure, so no carriage plate is needed. This design is suitable for wide slides and gantries.
Franke roller guides compared
All types are available in both designs:
| Type | Feature | Typical use | Designs |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDA Standard | quiet and smooth running, sealed needle bearing running rollers | standard applications | FDA Carriage, FDA Pair of roller shoes |
| FDB Low Cost | ball bearing running rollers, cost effective | almost all industries | FDB Carriage, FDB Pair of roller shoes |
| FDC Corrosion free | insensitive to moisture and cleaning agents, needle bearing | demanding environments | FDC Carriage, FDC Pair of roller shoes |
| FDD Non magnetic | non magnetic, light and quiet | medical technology, electronics production | FDD Carriage, FDD Pair of roller shoes |
| FDE Lubricant free | lubricant free, needle bearing running rollers | food production, clean room | FDE Carriage, FDE Pair of roller shoes |
| FDG Corrosion free LC | stainless steel raceways, ball bearing running rollers | economical solution for environmental influences | FDG Carriage, FDG Pair of roller shoes |
| FDH Highly dynamic | running rollers with angular contact ball bearings, fast response | maximum acceleration, pick and place | FDH Carriage, FDH Pair of roller shoes |
| FDI Vacuum compatible | lubricants and materials that prevent outgassing | high vacuum | FDI Carriage, FDI Pair of roller shoes |
The types in detail
For standard applications: FDA and FDB
Type FDA with carriage is the standard version: quiet, smooth running, made almost entirely of aluminium and with sealed needle bearing running rollers for long lasting operation. Type FDB with carriage relies on ball bearing running rollers and is the cost effective choice for linear motion tasks in almost all industries.
For moisture and corrosion: FDC and FDG
Type FDC with carriage is corrosion resistant, quiet and smooth running and is suitable for environments with moisture and cleaning agents. Type FDG with carriage combines stainless steel raceways with ball bearing running rollers and is an economical solution that is insensitive to environmental influences.
For special environments: FDD, FDE and FDI
The non magnetic type FDD with carriage is intended for medical technology and electronics production, for example in a patient couch in an MRI scanner. The lubricant free type FDE with carriage with needle bearing running rollers is suitable for food production and clean rooms. The vacuum compatible type FDI with carriage works with lubricants and materials that do not outgas in high vacuum.
For high dynamics: FDH
Type FDH with carriage has running rollers with angular contact ball bearings. It runs smoothly, responds quickly and is designed for maximum acceleration and speed, for example in pick and place applications.
Accessories for roller guides
- Cassettes with clamping: with star grip or clamping lever to lock positions.
- Cassette for screwing from below: for designs in which the cassette is fastened from below.
- Metal scrapers: supplement the felt wipers and remove coarse dirt.
- Stop screws: are screwed into threads of the guide rails.
- Cover caps: close the holes in the guide rails and thus ensure the function of the wipers.
For requirements outside the standard range, Franke adapts rail profiles and carriages: Individual linear guides. Frequently asked questions about compatibility, speeds and maintenance are answered in the FAQ on linear guides.
Frequently asked questions about roller guides
Which roller guides does Franke offer?
Franke offers types FDA to FDI, each as a profile rail with carriage or as a pair of profile rails with pair of roller shoes. They differ in the bearing arrangement of the running rollers, material and suitability for corrosion, magnetic fields, clean room, high dynamics or vacuum.
Do Franke roller guides need to be lubricated?
No. The rolling bearings in the running rollers are lifetime lubricated, and the roller guides work maintenance free. For food production and clean rooms, type FDE is a lubricant free version.
Which roller guide is suitable for high accelerations?
Type FDH with angular contact ball bearings in the running rollers is designed for maximum acceleration and speed, for example in pick and place applications.
Which roller guide is corrosion resistant?
Type FDC is corrosion resistant and insensitive to moisture and cleaning agents. Type FDG with stainless steel raceways is the economical alternative.
When do I choose a pair of profile rails with pair of roller shoes?
When the guide width is to be freely selectable, for example for wide slides or gantries. The roller shoes are bolted directly to the adjacent structure, so no carriage plate is needed.
Further terms in the Franke glossary: Roller guide | Running rollers | Linear guide | Linear systems | Cassette
All products at a glance: Product overview linear guides