NSK NS, NS 30, NS 35, NH, NS 15 Assembly Manual

ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION OF

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NSK LINEAR GUIDES

(GENERAL INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS)

Linear Guide: Handling Precautions

NSK linear guides are high quality and are
easy to use. NSK places importance on safety
in design. For maximum safety, please follow
precautions as outlined below.

(1) Lubrication

Confirm lubrication.

a. Remove the rust preventative rail-coating

before installation. If you are using oil as
a lubricant, consult NSK for compatibility
issues with the pre-packed factory grease.

(2) Handling

Handle with care.

Do not drop.

Do not disassemble.

Do not use direct force.

a. Interchangeable ball slides (randomly

matching types between rail and ball
slide) are installed to the provisional rail
when they leave the factory. Handle the
ball slide with care during installation to
the rail.

b. Do not disassemble the guide unless

absolutely necessary.

c. Ball slide will move easily. Make sure that

the ball slide does not disengage from the
rail.

d. Standard end cap is made of plastic and

may break if a direct force is applied.

(3) Precautions in use

Do not contaminate.

Do not hang upside down.

Temperature limitation.

a. Make every effort not to allow dust and

foreign objects to enter.

b. The temperature of the place where

linear guides are used should not exceed
80˚C (excluding heat-resistant type linear
guides.) A higher temperature may
damage the plastic end cap.

c. If the user cuts the rail, thoroughly

remove burrs and sharp edges on the cut
surface.

d. When hanging upside-down (e.g. the rail

is installed upside-down on the ceiling
in which the ball slide faces downward),
should the end cap be damaged, causing
the balls to fall out, the ball slide may be
detached from the rail and fall. For such
use, take measures including installing a
safety device.

(4) Storage

Store in the correct position.

a. Linear rail may bend if stored

inappropriately. Place it on a suitable
surface, and store it in a flat position.

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Installation Procedures

Thank you for choosing NSK linear guides. This manual briefly describes the recommended
handling and installation of NSK linear guides for general industrial use.

There are two methods of installing linear guides. The first uses a datum shoulder on
the mounting base and provides accurate horizontal alignment in the same way used for
machine tools. The other method uses the first rail as a reference for the second rail and is
generally used when smooth motion versus high accuracy is required.

NSK recommends the interchangeable series NH and NS linear guides for general industrial
applications. Their self-aligning feature means a greater tolerance for alignment errors and
less time spent on installation. Also, they are interchangeable between rail and slider, easily
allowing the addition or replacement of parts.

Provisional rail.

For interchangeable NH and NS Series linear guides, the ball slides and the rails are stocked
separately. The ball slides are mounted on plastic provisional rails that allows for easy
transfer of the ball slide to and from the steel rail.

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The ball slides are designed with
retaining wires to prevent the balls
from falling out when they are
removed from the rail. However,
NSK recommends that the ball slides
should be stored on a provisional
rail prior to installation to prevent
contamination from dust and other
foreign objects.

The following is a description of how the ball slide should be removed from and replaced on
the linear guide rail.

The ball slide is held on the provisional rail using a rubber band. The rubber band should
catch the bottom channel in the provisional rail and then twist around to secure the ball slide.

When transferring the ball slide from the provisional rail onto the rail, or vice versa, butt the
provisional rail up against the rail and slide the ball slide directly from one onto the other.
It is a good idea to secure the ball slide onto the provisional rail with a rubber band after
removal from the rail.

Provisional rail

Linear guide rail

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