Linear Guideways MONORAIL
Linear Guideways — Profiled Linear Roller & Ball Guideways
Roller and ball guidance technologies · O-arrangement for equal load in four directions · Trapezoidal rail profile
Schneeberger provides complete linear motion solutions for precision machinery
Guide Rail System Features
The MONORAIL system incorporates multiple innovative designs for outstanding performance and reliability
O-Arrangement
Four load-bearing rows arranged in O-arrangement, matching the O-arrangement of the rail. This configuration absorbs loads equally in all four directions and provides extremely high moment rigidity.
Barrel-Shaped Roller Design
MONORAIL MR achieves high rigidity through rollers with crowned profile and optimized raceway cross-sections. Roller guides have larger contact areas for higher load capacity with minimal rolling friction.
Ball Two-Point Contact
MONORAIL BM features ball guides in O-arrangement. Even under preload and load, balls have only two opposing contact points in the raceway area, significantly reducing friction for smoother, more uniform operation.
Trapezoidal Rail Profile
The trapezoidal rail profile allows carriages to be replaced directly on the rail without complex carriage removal procedures. Maintenance is more convenient with shorter system downtime.
Single Piece Length up to 6 Meters
Rail products with single piece lengths up to 6 meters require fewer rail connectors. This simplifies assembly, provides higher precision, and extends system service life.
Fully Hardened Carriages
Not just the rolling surfaces — the entire carriage steel body is hardened. Even under loads exceeding recommended limits, MONORAIL carriages maintain specifications without plastic deformation.
6 Fixing Holes Per Carriage
All carriages have threaded fixing holes on top, achieving maximum connection rigidity to the support structure when the carriage is subjected to tensile forces.
Unique Running Characteristics
Geometrically optimized raceways provide extremely smooth operation: minimal travel fluctuation, pitching motion, and stability at both low and high speeds.
Sealing & Lubrication Features
Reliable protection against contaminant ingress, extending system service life
Complete Sealing
Double-lip sealing system consisting of external scrapers on the front plate and internal labyrinth seals on the carriage steel body, reliably preventing contaminant ingress into the raceways.
Synthetic Recirculation Components
All products feature synthetic recirculation components that reduce noise and are designed as additional lubricant reservoirs, significantly extending maintenance intervals.
Versatile Lubrication Connections
Carriages have lubrication connection ports on both sides of the front plate and on both sides of the top, allowing flexible configuration of lubrication supply based on installation position.
Visible Lubrication Distribution
The visible configuration eliminates any possibility of confusion. In the standard system, all grease nipples connect to internal channels, distributing lubricant simultaneously to left and right raceways.
Replaceable Wipers
Lateral wipers are mounted in separate elements on the front plate and can be removed axially without deformation after the front plate is detached, making replacement easy.
Stainless Steel Front Plate
The front plate covers and protects the carriage, firmly connected to the steel body with four screws, ensuring precise mounting of attachments with environmental protection.
Pressure-Resistant Lubrication Channels
Lubricant is connected to the front plate via ultrasonic welding, forming sealed internal channels. Lubricant reaches the rolling elements even when the carriage is stationary.
Integrated Measurement System Features
Integrated rack and linear scale simplify installation and improve precision
Integrated Rack
The MONORAIL BZ system features a high-grade rack integrated into the guideway, reducing manufacturing, assembly and adjustment time — significant cost savings compared to separately installed rack systems.
Integrated Linear Scale
High-precision linear encoder combined with the guideway simplifies installation and adjustment, significantly reducing complexity compared to machines using separate linear scales.
Magnetoresistive Measurement Principle
The sensor is based on the magnetoresistive measurement process, functioning independently of position. No adjustment work is required after replacing the reading head.
Close-to-Process Position Measurement
Good thermal coupling of the measurement system with the machine bed eliminates the need for reference points or temperature sensors for process stability.
Steel-Like Thermal Expansion
The magnetic measuring tape has the same coefficient of material expansion as the guideway — no temperature compensation is needed when replacing matched steel components.
One Reading Head for All Sizes
The measuring tape position is identical across all product groups. The new-generation reading head provides enhanced vibration resistance and EMI shielding with chemical resistance.
Protected Measuring Tape
An externally hardened non-magnetic cover is welded to the guideway, tightly protecting the measuring tape from chips and coolant — robust and reliable.
Complete Axis Set Supply
Complete rail and carriage sets can be supplied, inspected to customer requirements, reducing assembly and adjustment time needed for production.
Covering All Applications
From roller to ball, from standard to stainless steel — covering all precision linear motion needs
MONORAIL MR — Profiled Linear Roller Guideways
Profile Linear Roller Guideways, 4-row
MONORAIL MR features a four-row cylindrical roller design, achieving ultra-high rigidity and load capacity through crowned profiles and optimized raceway cross-sections. Compared to ball guides, roller guides have larger contact areas for higher load capacity with minimal rolling friction.
The MR series follows the "4S" design philosophy — Serviceability, lubrication Supply, Shock resistance and Sturdiness. Full housing with cross-wiper protection and pressure lubrication channels ensure long service life in heavy-cutting environments.
MONORAIL BM — Profiled Linear Ball Guides
Profile Linear Ball Guides, 4-row
MONORAIL BM features O-arrangement with two-point contact ball design, and a trapezoidal rail profile providing extremely high rigidity. Even under preload and load, balls have only two opposing contact points in the raceway area, significantly reducing friction compared to four-point contact guides for smoother, more uniform operation.
Travel speeds up to 5 m/s with accelerations up to 100 m/s². Four precision grades and multiple preload options available, with single rail lengths up to 6 meters. Optional anti-corrosion coating and integrated measuring system (AMS).
MONORAIL BM WR/SR — Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel Ball Guides
Linear Ball Bearing in Corrosion-Resistant Steel
MONORAIL BM WR/SR is manufactured from corrosion-resistant stainless steel, featuring the same O-arrangement and two-point contact design as the standard BM series. Suitable for environments where standard anti-corrosion coatings cannot meet requirements, such as food processing, medical equipment, cleanrooms and vacuum applications.
Travel speeds up to 5 m/s with accelerations up to 100 m/s². Three precision grades and three preload options available. Complete sealing design with multiple lubrication options. Hardened carriage with 6 fixing holes per side, supporting top or bottom mounting.
MONORAIL BZ — Integrated Rack and Pinion Drive
Profiled Guideway with Integrated Rack and Pinion Drive
MONORAIL BZ integrates a hardened, ground precision helical rack directly into the guideway structure, with single system lengths up to 6,000 mm. Based on the proven MONORAIL BM platform, it inherits optimal running characteristics, high load capacity and long service life.
The integrated design saves up to 25% in manufacturing and assembly costs — eliminating the need for separate rack machining and alignment procedures. Rack precision up to grade 5, with multiple carriage types available for customization.
Technical Documents
BZ Series Overview Size 25 Specifications Size 35 Specifications Accessories Order Key Fastening MethodSeries Comparison
| MONORAIL MR | MONORAIL BM | BM WR/SR | MONORAIL BZ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rolling Element | Roller (4-row) | Ball (4-row) | Ball (Stainless Steel) | Ball + Rack |
| Size Range | 25 – 100 | 15 – 45 | 15 – 35 | 25, 35 |
| Key Advantage | Ultra-high rigidity & load capacity | High speed 5 m/s, low friction | Corrosion resistant, harsh environments | Guidance + drive integrated |
| Typical Applications | Heavy-cutting machine tools | Semiconductor, medical, precision positioning | Food processing, cleanrooms | Automation, cutting machines |
Widely Used in High-Precision Industries
From heavy-cutting machine tools to cleanroom environments — the core of precision linear motion
Machine Tools & Mechanical Engineering
- Milling machine feed axes & table guidance
- Lathe turret travel axes
- Grinding machines (incl. indexable insert grinders)
- 5-axis machining centers
- Gantry-type large milling machines
- EDM machines
- Heavy-duty machining
Semiconductor & Electronics Manufacturing
- Wafer transfer & handling mechanisms
- Lithography stage (sub-micron positioning)
- PCB drilling & inspection equipment
- LED inspection systems
- LCD glass substrate probe stations
- Solar cell manufacturing equipment
Medical Technology
- CT / MRI gantry & examination table positioning
- Radiation & proton therapy patient positioning beds
- Surgical robot linear motion axes
- Linear accelerator (LINAC) beam positioning
- X-ray imaging equipment gantry
Food Processing & Packaging
- Food processing machinery (corrosion resistance required)
- Filling & packaging lines
- Labeling & wrapping equipment
- Pharmaceutical cleanroom equipment
- FDA-compliant stainless steel guideways
Automation & Handling Systems
- Handling & material transfer systems
- Pick & Place mechanisms
- Industrial robot linear axes
- Welding robot guidance
- Assembly line automation equipment
Laser & Waterjet Cutting
- Laser cutting machines
- Waterjet cutting machines
- Plasma cutting equipment
- Woodworking CNC & panel processing
- BZ integrated rack drive saves 25% assembly cost
Aerospace
- Turbine blade machining grinders
- Wing assembly fixture systems
- Aircraft drilling spindle applications
- Lightweight structure machining
- Aircraft interior manufacturing
Additive Manufacturing & 3D Printing
- Metal laser melting systems (SLM)
- 3D printing equipment positioning axes
- Rapid prototyping machines
- Multi-material processing systems
Technical Documentation Center
Complete selection guides, dimensional specifications and installation instructions
Product Series
MONORAIL MR
Roller Guideways — High rigidity, high load
MONORAIL BM
Ball Guideways — High speed, low friction
MONORAIL BM/WR · SR
Wide rail & corrosion-resistant ball guideways
MONORAIL BZ
Integrated rack and pinion drive series
Engineering Reference
Selection Guide
Guideway type selection, precision grades, preload settings
Service Life Calculation
Rated life L₁₀ calculation methods & correction factors
Guiding Characteristics
Load capacity, rigidity, precision & technical parameters
Mounting Guide
Installation steps, tolerance requirements, maintenance
Need Linear Guideway Technical Support?
Complete selection guides, dimension tables and load calculation methods — all available in the Tech Center.