Curved Guide Rails Definition and Classification

Curved arc guide rails are guiding devices in mechanical engineering that enable bidirectional arc motion of slides. Smooth steering is achieved by V-shaped or trapezoidal rollers rolling on the guide surface.

The slides used with curved guide rails are special types: each slide has four rollers, arranged in pairs perpendicular to the direction of movement. These rollers are mounted on a plate, which is then mounted on a special bearing that rotates around its center. This design allows each roller group to rotate along the curved guide rail, ensuring smooth roller movement and preventing jamming.

Curved guide rails are guiding devices in mechanical engineering that enable curved movement of slides, primarily used for connecting linear movements to curved paths in industrial automation. Based on their steering characteristics, guide rails can be divided into two categories: circular arc guide rails (unidirectional steering) and curved arc guide rails (bidirectional steering). Structurally, they employ either V-shaped guide rollers or trapezoidal guide technology. V-shaped guide rails offer high-speed, dust-resistant properties, while trapezoidal guide rails enhance load-bearing capacity.

Based on steering characteristics, Curved Guide Rails are classified as below:

Circular arc guides: Unidirectional steering (clockwise/counterclockwise)
Curved arc guides: Bidirectional steering (can alternate directions

Curved Guide Rails Structure

The device’s matching slide rail uses a four-roller group structure, with special bearings enabling adaptive steering of the roller group to ensure smooth movement. The product’s modular design supports various layout combinations, and different diameters (e.g., 4 meters, 8.6 meters) and transmission methods (gear and rack or synchronous belt) can be customized, achieving a repeatability accuracy of ±0.05mm. Curved guide rails are used in electronics, new energy, medical devices, and automated assembly fields. Typical companies using this technology include Dongguan Yienlong Machinery and Suzhou Yanchuangli Technology.

Curved Guide Rails Main Type

There are two types of arc-shaped guide rails on the market: one uses V-shaped guide rollers, and the other is a newer type using trapezoidal guide technology. V-shaped guide roller rails have V-shaped rollers rolling on a V-shaped guide rail surface, offering the advantages of V-shaped guide rails such as high speed, dust resistance, and long service life. Trapezoidal guide rails have trapezoidal rollers rolling on a trapezoidal guide rail surface, combining the advantages of V-shaped guide rails with a greater load-bearing capacity.

Curved Guide Rails Mainly Applications

Industrial applications: Electronic assembly lines, new energy battery conveying, medical device automation
Special applications: Robotic arm motion trajectories, curved slides for photographic equipment