Linear motion bearing is motion of an particle along a upright line over a given time frame. In general, you are given a function in terms of "t" which tells you where on the number line the particle is at time t. If you will be in a calculus school, there are certain rules regarding the first and second derivatives which help you determine when the particle is moving left/right, quickly moving, stopping, etc.

A linear motion bearing is a bearing designed to provide free motion within a dimension.

Linear bearings are utilized primarily where something needs to be moved along a straight line with high consistency. In other words, the object needs to only translate per direction, and possibly move into its starting position using high repeatability.

The benefits for robotic pick-and-place are obvious, as are uses for optical test fixturing and calibration. The robotic uses of linear bearings have become available a huge market for the devices in recent years. There is a plethora of manufacturers in the devices, so much to make sure that standardization is sometimes an issue. The three primary categories of linear bearings are linear ball bearings, crossed-roller bearings, and slide bushing.

Linear Ball Bearings

Linear Ball Bearings, since their name implies, are linear bearings the location where the rolling contact is offered by hardened and ground tennis balls. A linear ball slide is a compact form of linear bearing which has a small form factor in addition to a similarly short stroke. Maximum stroke can be a maximum of about one-third in the slide length, but the proper execution factor justifies the cva.