Linear slides, also known as linear guides, guide rails, slideways or rails, are mechanical devices used to carry objects of a certain weight and slide in a straight line. Linear slides usually consist of a guide rail body and movable accessories on the slide body, such as sliders.    

Linear guides have four major characteristics. First, the rails and sliders are in contact through the ball bearings, so there is little shaking, which is suitable for equipment with precision requirements. Second, because it is point-to-surface contact, the friction resistance is very small, and subtle movements can be made, achieving high-precision positioning of control devices, etc. Third, because the balls have their own rolling grooves and the force on the rotating surface will be dispersed, there is a larger allowable load. Fourth, linear guides are not easy to generate friction heat during operation, and are not easy to deform due to heat, so they are suitable for high-speed movement.