The importance of proper chamfering on a linear guide

Posted by Emelie Neckman, 2024-08-29

Why should you chamfer a linear guide? A chamfer helps prevent damage to the linear guide block during installation—simple as that.

What could happen if there’s no chamfer?

At least three things could go wrong:

• The seals might get squished
• Balls could be pushed out of the block
• The internal components of the block could get damaged

So what happens if the seals are damaged?

It’ll significantly shorten the lifespan of the guide block. Dirt can get in more easily, bringing in particles that act like sandpaper—grinding surfaces, stopping balls from rolling, or breaking down the lubrication.

Healthy seals are absolutely key if you want to avoid unexpected breakdowns.
And if you lose balls, you lose load capacity. Sure, if you find them again, some manufacturers let you put them back—ifthe ball circuits are all the same size (measured in microns). But with lost load capacity, your calculated service life drops drastically. And if the internal mechanics are damaged, the block might be totally unusable.

So yeah, a good chamfer is a simple way to ensure long service life without damaging the seals.

Here’s a video on the topic featuring Carry Lindholm from Bosch Rexroth.