VX series · Ball guide · X-arrangement

VX · Ball linear guide, X-arrangement

Ball carriages in X-arrangement for sizes 20 to 35 — tolerant of mounting errors, quiet and interchangeable; also with through-holes for bolting from below (VX50, VX54).

Know the type and size? Build the order code and request a price. Still choosing? Compare roller and ball guides, accuracy classes and preload first.

Dimensions and load ratings arrow_downward
VX51 carriage on rail
VX
Rolling elements
Balls
Arrangement
X-arrangement
Sizes
20–35
Carriage types
8
Max C / C₀
59 / 117 kN
Speed · accel.
2 m/s · 40 m/s²

Construction & principle

VX ball guides carry the same load rating in all four main load directions and run quietly and smoothly. The X-arrangement uses single-arc raceways on four ball rows: the guide averages out errors in the mounting surfaces instead of being forced by them. In tests, the running error of a pair of rails dropped to about one sixth of the mounting-surface error.

Interchangeability is unlimited — carriages and rails of different styles within one accuracy class combine freely. Besides the flanged and narrow carriages, VX offers flanged carriages with plain through-holes (VX50, VX54) that are bolted from below.

The side lubrication port of the carriages feeds both the upper and the lower raceway grooves, even when the guide is mounted at an angle.

VX raceway arrangement — X-arrangement (face-to-face)

X-arrangement (face-to-face) — balls on four raceways; the red lines show the contact directions.

tune

Forgiving mounting

X-arrangement averages out errors of the mounting surfaces.

swap_horiz

Fully interchangeable

Carriages and rails of one accuracy class combine freely.

water_drop

Lubricated at any angle

Side port supplies the upper and lower raceway grooves.

construction

Eight carriage types

Including VX50 / VX54 for bolting from below.

Typical applications

Automation and assembly linesHandling and pick-and-placeWoodworking and laser cuttingMedical and laboratory equipmentPrinting and packagingLight machine axes

Carriage types

Flanged carriages bolt from above or below and spread the load over a wider base; narrow carriages need less width and bolt from above. Long carriages raise load ratings and moment capacity, high carriages raise the mounting height.

Dimensions & load ratings

Dimension drawing and every size for each carriage type, as in the catalogue. Load ratings per carriage; dimensions in millimetres.

VX in the linear-guide catalogue — pages 37–54

Dimension drawings, ordering code, technical principles and selection forms in print layout. PDF · 89 pages · 11.6 MB · English.

VX51 · Flanged carriage, standard length

FlangedStandard lengthStandard heightBolt from above or below
VX51 dimension drawing — front, side and top view
VX51 carriage on rail
Sizes20–35
Dynamic load rating C17.8 kN – 48.6 kN
Static load rating C₀34.4 kN – 88.0 kN
Carriage mass0.40 – 1.56 kg
MountingThreaded holes — bolt from above or below
Dimensions [mm] — VX51
SizeCarriageAA1A2A3LL1E1E2HH1H21H22K1K2K3K4
20VX51.86331.52021.577.550.553403025.419.218.911.35.25.89.8
25VX51.270352323.5845857453630.523.923.612.36.2510.7
30VX51.79045283197.4707252423627.727.4156.41214.5
35VX51.3100503433112.48082624840.530.730.416911.314.5

H21 with rail cover strip · H22 without cover strip.

Mounting dimensions [mm], load ratings and mass — VX51
SizeCarriageN1N3ØDS1ØS2TT1V1CNC0NMt0N·mML0N·mCarriagekgRailkg/m
20VX51.89.510.49.5M666020817830343802702000.402.31
25VX51.21414.611M876020826260495104203300.593.40
30VX51.71615.414M10980208.536530673806605301.094.63
35VX51.31818.414M109802010485708802011608101.566.53

VX53 · Flanged carriage, long

FlangedLongStandard heightBolt from above or below
VX53 dimension drawing — front, side and top view
VX53 carriage on rail
Sizes20–35
Dynamic load rating C21.8 kN – 59.4 kN
Static load rating C₀45.8 kN – 117.4 kN
Carriage mass0.52 – 2.06 kg
MountingThreaded holes — bolt from above or below
Dimensions [mm] — VX53
SizeCarriageAA1A2A3LL1E1E2HH1H21H22K1K2K3K4
20VX53.86331.52021.592.265.253403025.419.218.918.65.25.817.1
25VX53.270352323.5104.678.657453630.523.923.622.66.2521
30VX53.790452831120.4937252423627.727.426.56.41226
35VX53.3100503433138.2105.882624840.530.730.428.9911.327.4

H21 with rail cover strip · H22 without cover strip.

Mounting dimensions [mm], load ratings and mass — VX53
SizeCarriageN1N3ØDS1ØS2TT1V1CNC0NMt0N·mML0N·mCarriagekgRailkg/m
20VX53.89.510.49.5M666020821780458403503500.522.31
25VX53.21414.611M876020832140660205605700.803.40
30VX53.71615.414M10980208.544670898508809201.444.63
35VX53.31818.414M10980201059390117360154014002.066.53

VX50 · Flanged carriage, standard length, through-holes

FlangedStandard lengthStandard heightThrough-holes — bolt from below
VX50 dimension drawing — front, side and top view
VX50 carriage on rail
Sizes20–35
Dynamic load rating C17.8 kN – 48.6 kN
Static load rating C₀34.4 kN – 88.0 kN
Carriage mass0.40 – 1.56 kg
MountingPlain through-holes — bolt from below
Dimensions [mm] — VX50
SizeCarriageAA1A2A3LL1E1E2HH1H21H22K1K2K3K4
20VX50.86331.52021.577.550.553403025.419.218.911.35.25.89.8
25VX50.270352323.5845857453630.523.923.612.36.2510.7
30VX50.79045283197.4707252423627.727.4156.41214.5
35VX50.3100503433112.48082624840.530.730.416911.314.5

H21 with rail cover strip · H22 without cover strip.

Mounting dimensions [mm], load ratings and mass — VX50
SizeCarriageN1N3ØDS1ØS2TT1V1CNC0NMt0N·mML0N·mCarriagekgRailkg/m
20VX50.89.510.49.5Φ666020817830343802702000.402.31
25VX50.21414.611Φ776020826260495104203300.593.40
30VX50.71615.414Φ9980208.536350673806605301.094.63
35VX50.31818.414Φ99802010485708802011608101.566.53

VX54 · Flanged carriage, long, through-holes

FlangedLongStandard heightThrough-holes — bolt from below
VX54 dimension drawing — front, side and top view
VX54 carriage on rail
Sizes20–35
Dynamic load rating C21.8 kN – 59.4 kN
Static load rating C₀45.8 kN – 117.4 kN
Carriage mass0.52 – 2.06 kg
MountingPlain through-holes — bolt from below
Dimensions [mm] — VX54
SizeCarriageAA1A2A3LL1E1E2HH1H21H22K1K2K3K4
20VX54.86331.52021.592.265.253403025.419.218.918.65.25.817.1
25VX54.270352323.5104.678.657453630.523.923.622.66.2521
30VX54.790452831120.4937252423627.727.426.56.41226
35VX54.3100503433138.2105.882624840.530.730.428.9911.327.4

H21 with rail cover strip · H22 without cover strip.

Mounting dimensions [mm], load ratings and mass — VX54
SizeCarriageN1N3ØDS1ØS2TT1V1CNC0NMt0N·mML0N·mCarriagekgRailkg/m
20VX54.89.510.49.5Φ666020821780458403503500.522.31
25VX54.21414.611Φ776020832140660205605700.803.40
30VX54.71615.414Φ9980208.544670898508809201.444.63
35VX54.31818.414Φ9980201059390117360154014002.066.53

VX22 · Narrow carriage, standard length

NarrowStandard lengthStandard heightBolt from above
VX22 dimension drawing — front, side and top view
VX22 carriage on rail
Sizes20–35
Dynamic load rating C17.8 kN – 48.6 kN
Static load rating C₀34.4 kN – 88.0 kN
Carriage mass0.30 – 1.14 kg
MountingThreaded holes — bolt from above
Dimensions [mm] — VX22
SizeCarriageAA1A2A3LL1E1E2HH1H21H22K1K2K3K4
20VX22.84422201277.550.532363025.419.218.913.35.25.811.8
25VX22.248242312.5845835353630.523.923.617.36.2515.7
30VX22.76030281697.4704040423627.727.4216.41220.5
35VX22.370353418112.48050504840.530.730.422911.320.5

H21 with rail cover strip · H22 without cover strip.

Mounting dimensions [mm], load ratings and mass — VX22
SizeCarriageN1N3ØDS1ØS2TT1V1CNC0NMt0N·mML0N·mCarriagekgRailkg/m
20VX22.8610.49.5M566020817830343802702000.302.31
25VX22.2614.611M676020826260495104203300.423.40
30VX22.71015.414M8980208.536530673806605300.784.63
35VX22.31218.414M89802010.2485708802011608101.146.53

VX23 · Narrow carriage, long

NarrowLongStandard heightBolt from above
VX23 dimension drawing — front, side and top view
VX23 carriage on rail
Sizes20–35
Dynamic load rating C21.8 kN – 59.4 kN
Static load rating C₀45.8 kN – 117.4 kN
Carriage mass0.39 – 1.52 kg
MountingThreaded holes — bolt from above
Dimensions [mm] — VX23
SizeCarriageAA1A2A3LL1E1E2HH1H21H22K1K2K3K4
20VX23.84422201292.265.232503025.419.218.913.65.25.812.1
25VX23.248242312.5104.678.635503630.523.923.620.16.2518.5
30VX23.760302816120.4934060423627.727.422.56.41222
35VX23.370353418138.2105.850724840.530.730.423.9911.322.4

H21 with rail cover strip · H22 without cover strip.

Mounting dimensions [mm], load ratings and mass — VX23
SizeCarriageN1N3ØDS1ØS2TT1V1CNC0NMt0N·mML0N·mCarriagekgRailkg/m
20VX23.8610.49.5M566020821780458403503500.392.31
25VX23.2614.611M676020832140660205605700.573.40
30VX23.71015.414M8980208.544670898508809201.034.63
35VX23.31218.414M89802010.259390117360154014001.526.53

VX21 · Narrow carriage, standard length, high

NarrowStandard lengthHighBolt from above
VX21 dimension drawing — front, side and top view
VX21 carriage on rail
Sizes25–35
Dynamic load rating C26.3 kN – 48.6 kN
Static load rating C₀49.5 kN – 88.0 kN
Carriage mass0.51 – 1.20 kg
MountingThreaded holes — bolt from above
Dimensions [mm] — VX21
SizeCarriageAA1A2A3LL1E1E2HH1H21H22K1K2K3K4
25VX21.248242312.5845835354034.523.923.617.310.2915.7
30VX21.76030281697.4704040453927.727.4219.41520.5
35VX21.370353418112.48050505547.530.730.4221618.320.5

H21 with rail cover strip · H22 without cover strip.

Mounting dimensions [mm], load ratings and mass — VX21
SizeCarriageN1N3ØDS1ØS2TT1V1CNC0NMt0N·mML0N·mCarriagekgRailkg/m
25VX21.2814.611M676020826260495104203300.513.40
30VX21.71015.414M8980208.536530673806605300.854.63
35VX21.31218.414M89802010.2485708802011608101.206.53

VX24 · Narrow carriage, long, high

NarrowLongHighBolt from above
VX24 dimension drawing — front, side and top view
VX24 carriage on rail
Sizes25–35
Dynamic load rating C32.1 kN – 59.4 kN
Static load rating C₀66.0 kN – 117.4 kN
Carriage mass0.88 – 2.08 kg
MountingThreaded holes — bolt from above
Dimensions [mm] — VX24
SizeCarriageAA1A2A3LL1E1E2HH1H21H22K1K2K3K4
25VX24.248242312.5104.678.635504034.523.923.620.110.2918.5
30VX24.760302816120.4934060453927.727.422.59.41522
35VX24.370353418138.2105.850725547.530.730.423.91618.322.4

H21 with rail cover strip · H22 without cover strip.

Mounting dimensions [mm], load ratings and mass — VX24
SizeCarriageN1N3ØDS1ØS2TT1V1CNC0NMt0N·mML0N·mCarriagekgRailkg/m
25VX24.2814.611M676020832140660205605700.883.40
30VX24.71015.414M8980208.544670898508809201.474.63
35VX24.31218.414M89802010.259390117360154014002.086.53
What the dimension letters mean
Acarriage width
A1carriage reference edge to rail centre line
A2rail width
A3carriage edge to rail side
Lcarriage length over end seals
L1length of the steel body
E1 · E2mounting-hole spacing across · along the carriage
E3spacing of the two centre holes (flanged VR / VB carriages)
Hmounting height, rail base to carriage top
H1height of the carriage body
H2rail height — 1 with cover strip, 2 without
V1ground reference edge on the carriage, from the top face
S1 · N1carriage mounting thread · thread depth (VX50 / VX54: through-hole Ø)
N2thread depth of the centre holes
ØD · ØS2 · N3rail counterbore Ø · bolt-hole Ø · seat height above the rail base
T · T1rail hole pitch · rail end to first hole
K1–K4lubrication-port and hole positions — see drawing
C · C0dynamic · static load rating (equal in the four main load directions)
Mt · Mt0dynamic · static torsional moment rating
ML · ML0dynamic · static longitudinal moment rating

Rails

The same rail profile serves every carriage type of the series — mounted from above with counterbored holes, or from below with threaded holes.

Standard rail — bolted from above

Counterbored holes for socket-head screws; the holes are closed with plastic or brass plugs, or the whole rail top is covered by a stainless-steel strip. Values are the same for every carriage type of the series.

SizeA2H21H22ØDØS2N3TT1Railkg/m
202019.218.99.5610.460202.31
252323.923.611714.660203.40
302827.727.414915.480204.63
353430.730.414918.480206.53

Bottom-lock rail — bolted from below

Threaded holes, screwed from below through the machine bed — a closed, smooth rail top with no plugs or cover needed (rail-hole code 4).

VX bottom-lock rail — section and side view
SizeA2H2LR maxmmN3ØS2TT1 minT1T1 maxmkg/m
202018.940009.0M6601028.0502.31
252323.6400012.0M6601028.0503.40
302827.4400015.0M8801238.0684.63
353430.4400015.0M8801238.0686.53

LR max as listed in the catalogue rail table (4000 mm). T1 recommended, tolerance ± 0.5 mm.

Rail length. Single rails are currently supplied up to 4,000 mm (6,000 mm and longer are being introduced). Longer axes are joined from matched segments with numbered joint marks; the holes next to a joint keep the standard pitch. Stagger the joints of paired rails and keep them at least two hole pitches away from joints in the machine bed.

Ordering code

Complete guide — rails with carriages
VX051.213.2.1000Ⅱ20/20.310.101.KK.E

VX51 · size 25 · C1 · accuracy H · 2 carriages per rail · L = 1000 mm · 2 rails · end holes 20/20 mm. The orange part is required; the grey options (rail holes and segments, carriage protection, pre-lubrication and fitting, seal kit, special requirements) are agreed with our sales team.

Carriage only
VX51.222

Type · size code · preload · accuracy

Rail only
VX022.1000

Protection · size code · accuracy · length

Accuracy and preload — available combinations

Accuracy classC0C1C2C3
N — normal (code 4)check_circlecheck_circle——
H — high (code 3)check_circlecheck_circlecheck_circle—
P — precision (code 2)—check_circlecheck_circle—
SP — super precision (code 1)—check_circlecheck_circlecheck_circle
UP — ultra precision (code 0)—check_circlecheck_circlecheck_circle

Size codes: 8 = 20 · 2 = 25 · 7 = 30 · 3 = 35.

FieldMeaning
VXSeries — ball guide · X-arrangement
0Rail corrosion protection: 0 oiled · 1 hard chrome · 2 black chrome · 3 nickel · 4 black oxide · 5 stainless steel
51Carriage type (51, 53, 22, 23, 21, 24, 50, 54)
3Size code: 8 = 20 · 2 = 25 · 7 = 30 · 3 = 35
1Preload code: 0 = C0 · 1 = C1 · 2 = C2 · 3 = C3
3Accuracy code: 0 = UP · 1 = SP · 2 = P · 3 = H · 4 = N
2Carriages per rail
1240Rail length in mm
ⅡRails used together (Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ …)
20/20End-hole distances, left / right, seen with the rail reference side towards you
3 1 0Rail holes & cover · number of rail segments · carriage corrosion protection
1 01Factory pre-lubrication · lube fitting
KKSeal kit (blank = standard)
ESpecial requirements — specified in writing

Build the order code and request a price

The inquiry builder offers only the accuracy / preload combinations that exist, works out symmetric end-hole distances for your rail length and sends the code with your options.

Technical data

Rolling elementsBalls
Raceway arrangementX-arrangement (face-to-face), four rows
Load ratingsEqual in the four main load directions
Max speed / acceleration2 m/s · 40 m/s²
Sizes20–35
Carriage typesVX51, VX53, VX50, VX54, VX22, VX23, VX21, VX24
Accuracy classesN · H · P · SP · UP
Preload classesC0 · C1 · C2 · C3
StandardsLoad ratings and dimensions to ISO 14728; accuracy comparable to DIN 636
Corrosion protectionOiled (standard) · hard chrome · black chrome · nickel · black oxide · stainless steel
Rail holesCounterbored with plastic or brass plugs · stainless cover strip · bottom-lock (threaded from below)
Seal kitsStandard, ZZ, KK, DD and high-protection SH, ZH, KH, DH with inner seal strips
LubricationGrease nipples M4×0.7, M6×1 and PT1/8 (straight or 45°); oil fittings M6×1 or PT1/8 to M8×1 (straight or 90°) and push-in fittings for Ø4 mm tube. Supplied pre-lubricated — rail oil, lithium grease or a light anti-corrosion oil.
Single rail lengthUp to 4,000 mm; longer rails joined from matched segments

Accuracy classes

Accuracy classHeight HWidth WΔH · ΔW on one rail
N — normal± 100 µm± 40 µm30 µm
H — high± 40 µm± 20 µm15 µm
P — precision± 20 µm± 10 µm7 µm
SP — super precision± 10 µm± 7 µm5 µm
UP — ultra precision± 5 µm± 5 µm3 µm

Height H: carriage top to rail base; width W: carriage reference edge to rail reference side; measured at the carriage centre.

Preload classes

Preload classRecommended for
C0 — very light, 0–2 % CSmoothest running and lowest friction; ball guides only, accuracy N and H.
C1 — light, 3 % CSmall external loads where overall rigidity still matters.
C2 — medium, 8 % CLarge loads, single-rail systems, high accelerations; takes above-average moments with little elastic deformation.
C3 — heavy, 12 % CHigh-rigidity axes such as precision machine tools; minimum elastic deformation under high loads and moments. Accuracy P, SP, UP.

Preload raises rigidity and is included in the service-life calculation; it should not exceed one third of the bearing load. With vibration, choose C2 or C3.

Explore the linear guides

Specify your VX guide — type, size, accuracy and length.

Send us the axis — load, stroke, speed, mounting and required accuracy. We return the order code, a service-life estimate and the dimension drawing.