Types of slides and their advantages

A furniture slide is the main element of every drawer equipment. This element is often underestimated but it is essential for the proper and, what is more important, comfortable functioning of furniture drawers. It allows for comfortable and smooth drawer pull-out from the body of furniture. The slide facilitates access to valuable items inside the drawer body. Years ago no one would have said that such a trivial element could develop so significantly, because nowadays it has many functions making everyday life easier. Smoothness and quietness are just some of the many new features that drawer slides have come to be equipped with.

Choosing the right slide

One of the most important criteria for selecting a linear slide for a particular kinematic solution is preload. This minimises the clearance between the load-bearing block and the rail, resulting in increased rigidity and reduced load deflection. This significantly increases the load-bearing capacity of the slide, allowing heavier items to be stored in the drawer.
If positioning accuracy is important during installation, slides with a slight preload (around 2%) are usually recommended.

However, if you choose slides with higher stiffness you will get less noticeable deflection. Generally speaking, the stiffness enables unwanted operating movements to be eliminated.

Guides are most often used in a linear arrangement parallel to each other. There are two sides per track, resulting in a square or rectangular structure.

Drawer runner 1000 mm – Furnica

Construction

A linear guide consists of a linear rail. A so-called linear carriage with ball bearings moves along this rail. They can be placed one next to the other in a loose manner, or connected by means of a special chain. The function of the chain is to increase the speed of the carriage by reducing friction and noise caused by friction during carriage movement. It also makes the service life longer. As a rule, the carriage is equipped with 4 ball circuits so that loads can be transferred in each direction.
The last, but not least, are the reservoirs, which contain a lubricant to reduce friction and ensure smooth running. The accumulators are connected to the linear guide by means of a felt material.