511E

Calculating the Applied Load

The LM Guide is capable of receiving loads and moments in all directions that are generated due to
the mounting orientation, alignment, gravity center position of a traveling object, thrust position and
cutting resistance.

Reverse radial load Radial load

MA Moment
in the pitching
Lateral Lateral direction
load load
MB Moment
in the yawing
direction
MC Moment
in the rolling
direction

Fig.1 Directions of the Loads Applied on the LM Guide

Calculating an Applied Load

[Single-Axis Use]
Moment Equivalence
When the installation space for the LM Guide is limited, you may have to use only one LM block, or
double LM blocks closely contacting with each other. In such a setting, the load distribution is not
uniform and, as a result, an excessive load is applied in localized areas (i.e., both ends) as shown in
Fig.2. Continued use under such conditions may result in flaking in those areas, consequently short-
ening the service life. In such a case, calculate the actual load by multiplying the moment value by
any one of the equivalent-moment factors specified in Table1 to Table6 A1-43.
Moment load Moment load
Rows of balls under a load
Rows of balls under a load

LM rail
Maximum applied load on a ball

Maximum ball deflection

Ball
displacement line Load distribution curve
Load distribution curve

Ball displacement line

Fig.2 Ball Load when a Moment is Applied

An equivalent-load equation applicable when a moment acts on an LM Guide is shown below.

P = KM
P : Equivalent load per LM Guide (N)
K : Equivalent moment factor
M : Applied moment (N-mm)

B1-56
 511E

Point of Selection
Calculating the Applied Load

Equivalent Factor
Since the rated load is equivalent to the permissible moment, the equivalent factor to be multiplied
when equalizing the MA, MB and MC moments to the applied load per block is obtained by dividing
the rated loads in the corresponding directions.
With those models other than 4-way equal load types, however, the load ratings in the 4 directions
differ from each other. Therefore, the equivalent factor values for the MA and MC moments also differ
depending on whether the direction is radial or reverse radial.

LM Guide
Equivalent Factors for the MA Moment

PR=KARMA
Equivalent in the radial direction

PL=KALMA
Equivalent in the reverse-radial direction

Fig.3 Equivalent Factors for the MA Moment

Equivalent factors for the MA Moment

Equivalent factor C0
KAR=
in the radial direction MA

Equivalent factor in the C0L

KAL=
reverse radial direction MA

C0 C0L
= =1
KARMA KALMA

Equivalent Factors for the MB Moment

PT=KBMB
Equivalent in the lateral direction

PT=KBMB
Equivalent in the lateral direction
Fig.4 Equivalent Factors for the MB Moment

Equivalent factors for the MB Moment

Equivalent factor in C0T
KB=
the lateral directions MB

C0T
=1
KBMB

B1-57
 511E

Equivalent Factors for the MC Moment

PR=KCRMC
Equivalent in the radial direction

PL=KCLMC
Equivalent in the reverse-radial direction

Fig.5 Equivalent Factors for the MC Moment

Equivalent factors for the MC Moment

Equivalent factor C0
KCR=
in the radial direction MC

Equivalent factor in the C0L

KCL=
reverse radial direction MC

C0 C0L
= =1
KCRMC KCLMC

C0 : Basic static load rating (radial direction) (N)

C0L : Basic static load rating (reverse radial direction) (N)
C0T : Basic static load rating (lateral direction) (N)
PR : Calculated load (radial direction) (N)
PL : Calculated load (reverse radial direction) (N)
PT : Calculated load (lateral direction) (N)

B1-58
 511E

Point of Selection
Calculating the Applied Load

Example of calculation
When one LM block is used
Model No.: SSR20XV1
No.3 No.4
Gravitational acceleration g=9.8 (m/s2)
Mass m=10 (kg)

LM Guide
1=200mm
2=100mm No.2 No.1

1 2

m m

Fig.6 When One LM Block is Used

No.1 P1=mg+KAR1mg1+KCRmg2=98+0.27598200+0.12998100=6752 (N)

No.2 P2=mgKAL1mg1+KCRmg2=980.13798200+0.12998100=1323 (N)
No.3 P3=mgKAL1mg1KCLmg2=980.137982000.064498100=3218 (N)
No.4 P4=mg+KAR1mg1KCLmg2=98+0.275982000.064498100=4857 (N)

When two LM blocks are used in close contact with each other
Model No.: SVS25R2
Gravitational acceleration g=9.8 (m/s2) No.3 No.4
Mass m=5 (kg)
1=200mm
2=150mm No.2 No.1

1 2

m m

Fig.7 When Two LM Blocks are Used in Close Contact with Each Other

mg mg2 49 49150
No.1 P1= +KAR2mg1+KCR = +0.018849200+0.0814 =507.9 (N)
2 2 2 2
mg mg2 49 49150
No.2 P2= KAL2mg1+KCR = 0.015849200+0.0814 =168.8 (N)
2 2 2 2
mg mg2 49 49150
No.3 P3= KAL2mg1KCL = 0.0158492000.0684 =381.7 (N)
2 2 2 2
mg mg2 49 49150
No.4 P4= +KAR2mg1KCL = +0.0188492000.0684 =42.6 (N)
2 2 2 2
Note1) Since an LM Guide used in vertical installation receives only a moment load, there is no need to apply a load force
(mg).

B1-59
 511E

[Double-axis Use]
Setting Conditions
Set the conditions needed to calculate the LM systems applied load and service life in hours.
The conditions consist of the following items.
(1) Mass: m (kg)
(2) Direction of the working load
(3) Position of the working point (e.g., center of gravity): 2, 3, h1(mm)
(4) Thrust position: 4, h2(mm)
(5) LM system arrangement: 0, 1(mm)
(No. of units and axes)
(6) Velocity diagram
Speed: V (mm/s)
Time constant: tn (s)
Acceleration: n(mm/s2)
V
(n = tn )

(7) Duty cycle

Number of reciprocations per minute: N1(min-1)
(8) Stroke length: s(mm)
(9) Average speed: Vm(m/s)
(10) Required service life in hours: Lh(h)
Gravitational acceleration g=9.8 (m/s2)

Duty cycle
1
2
Speed (mm/s)

mg
V

h 1 0
h2
3 tn t1 tn s
4 S mm
Velocity diagram
Fig.8 Condition

B1-60
 511E

Point of Selection
Calculating the Applied Load

Applied Load Equation

The load applied to the LM Guide varies with the external force, such as the position of the gravity
center of an object, thrust position, inertia generated from acceleration/deceleration during start or
stop, and cutting force.
In selecting an LM Guide, it is necessary to obtain the value of the applied load while taking into ac-
count these conditions.

LM Guide
Calculate the load applied to the LM Guide in each of the examples 1 to 10 shown below.
m : Mass (kg)
n : Distance (mm)
Fn : External force (N)
Pn : Applied load (radial/reverse radial direction) (N)
PnT : Applied load (lateral directions) (N)
g : Gravitational acceleration (m/s2)
(g =9.8m/s2)
V : Speed (m/s)
tn : Time constant (s)
n : Acceleration (m/s2)
V
(n = tn )

[Example]
Condition Applied Load Equation

Horizontal mount
(with the block traveling) mg mg2 mg3
P1 = +
Uniform motion or dwell 4 20 21
P3 1
2 mg mg2 mg3
mg P2 =
P2 4 20 21
P4
1
mg mg2 mg3
P3 = +
P1 4 20 21
0
3 mg mg2 mg3
P4 = + +
4 20 21

Horizontal mount, overhung

(with the block traveling) mg mg2 mg3
P1 = + +
Uniform motion or dwell
P3 1 4 20 21

mg mg2 mg3
P2 P2 = +
P4 4 20 21
2
P1 mg mg2 mg3
P3 =
0 4 20 21

mg 2 mg mg2 mg3
3 P4 = +
4 20 21

Note) Load is positive in the direction of the arrow.

B1-61
 511E

Condition Applied Load Equation

Vertical mount
Uniform motion or dwell

P4 mg2
mg P1 = P4 =
20
P1T
mg2
P1 P2 = P3 =
0 20
3 F
mg3
3 P1T = P4T =
20

P2 mg3
P2T = P3T =
20
P2T

1
E.g.: Vertical axis of industrial
robot, automatic coating
machine, lifter

Wall mount
Uniform motion or dwell

0
P2T
mg3
2 P2 1 P1 = P2 =
21
P1T
3 mg3
P3 = P4 =
P1 21
4
mg mg2
P1T = P4T = +
4 20
P3
mg mg2
P3T P2T = P3T =
4 20
mg
P4
P4T

E.g.: Travel axis of cross-rail loader

Note) Load is positive in the direction of the arrow.

B1-62
 511E

Point of Selection
Calculating the Applied Load

Condition Applied Load Equation

With the LM rails movable

Horizontal mount

LM Guide
1
1
P2
mg
P3 mg mg1
P1 to P4 (max) = +
P1 4 20
5 mg mg1
P4 P1 to P4 (min) =
4 20
0

E.g.: XY table
sliding fork

Laterally tilt mount

mgcos mgcos 2
P1 = + +
4 20
mgcos 3 mgsinh1
+
21 21
mgsin mgsin 2
P1T= +
4 20
mgcos mgcos 2
P2 = +
h1 4 20

mg mgcos 3 mgsin h1
+
21 21
P3 P1 mgsin mgsin 2
P2T=
4 20
6 P1T
P2 mgcos mgcos 2
2 P3 = +
4 20
3
0 mgcos 3 mgsin h1
1 P2T +
21

21
mgsin mgsin 2
P3T=
4 20
mgcos mgcos 2
P4 = + +
4 20
mgcos 3 mgsin h1
+
21 21
E.g.: NC lathe
mgsin mgsin 2
Carriage P4T= +
4 20

Note) Load is positive in the direction of the arrow.

B1-63
 511E

Condition Applied Load Equation

Longitudinally tilt mount mgcos mgcos 2

P1 = + +
4 20
mgcos 3 mgsin h1
+
21 20
mgsin 3
P1T = +
20
P3 mgcos mgcos 2
P2 = +
h1 P2 4 20
mg mgcos 3 mgsin h1
P2T
21 20
P4
P1 2 mgsin 3
P2T =
0 20
7
mgcos mgcos 2
P1T P3 = +
3 4 20
1 mgcos 3 mgsin h1
+
21 20
mgsin 3
P3T =
20
mgcos mgcos 2
P4 = + +
4 20
E.g.: NC lathe
mgcos 3 mgsin h1
Tool rest + +
21 20
mgsin 3
P4T = +
20

Horizontal mount with inertia During acceleration

mg m 12
P1 = P4 =
4 20
mg m 12
P2 = P3 = +
mg 4 20
m 13
P1T = P4T =
20
3 m 13
P2T = P3T =
P1 P3 20

2 P4 P3T During uniform motion

8 mg
0 P1 to P4 =
F 4
P4T
1 During deceleration
V m 32
n = mg
Speed V (m/s)

tn P1 = P4 = +
4 20
mg m 32
P2 = P3 =
4 20
t1 t2 t3 Time (s) m 33
P1T = P4T =
20
Velocity diagram E.g.: Conveyance truck
m 33
P2T = P3T =
20

Note) Load is positive in the direction of the arrow.

B1-64
 511E

Point of Selection
Calculating the Applied Load

Condition Applied Load Equation

Vertical mount During acceleration

with inertia 2 m (g+ 1) 2
P1 = P4 =
20
m (g+ 1) 2
P2 = P3 =
P4 20
mg
m (g+ 1) 3

LM Guide
P1T P1T = P4T =
20
0 P1 m (g+ 1) 3
P2T = P3T =
F 20
3 During uniform motion
P2 mg2
V P1 = P4 =
P2T n = 20
tn mg2
P2 = P3 =
9
1 20
mg3
P1T = P4T =
20
Speed V (m/s)

mg3
P2T = P3T =
20
t1 t2 t3 Time (s) During deceleration
Velocity diagram m (g 3) 2
P1 = P4 =
E.g.: Conveyance lift 20
m (g 3) 2
P2 = P3 =
20
m (g 3) 3
P1T = P4T =
20
m (g 3) 3
P2T = P3T =
20

Horizontal mount with external force Under force F1

F15
P1 = P4 =
20
2 F15
P2 = P3 =
20
4 F14
P1T = P4T =
20
F14
P2T = P3T =
20
P3
F2
Under force F2
5 F1 F3 P3T F2 F22
P4 P1 = P4 = +
10 4 20
F2 F22
0 P2 = P3 =
F P4T 4 20
1 3
Under force F3
F33
P1 = P2 =
E.g.: Drill unit, 21
Milling machine, F33
Lathe, P3 = P4 =
21
Machining center
and other cutting machine F3 F32
P1T = P4T =
4 20
F3 F32
P2T = P3T = +
4 20

Note) Load is positive in the direction of the arrow.

B1-65