Home › Guides › Linear guide guides › Linear Guides

Linear Guide Preload ZF–Z3 Radial Clearance and Set Interchangeability

How to choose linear guide preload: micrometre values for ZF/Z0/Z1/Z2/Z3 (including heavy Z3), plus the matched-set vs separate-type interchangeability matrix.

On this page

1. Table 2.6.1 Radial clearance values (µm)2. Table 2.6.2 Matched-set vs separate-type interchangeability3. Lower-lock bolt hole rails (Table 2.4.2)

1. Table 2.6.1 Radial clearance values (µm)

Radial clearance sets feel and accuracy retention: ZF has clearance and runs light but with reverse error; Z0 is zero clearance; Z1 light, Z2 medium, and Z3 heavy — the stiffest, but with the most heat and wear.

SizeZF microZ0 zeroZ1 lightZ2 mediumZ3 heavy
TR / SR155~12−4~4−12~−5−20~−13−28~−21
TR / SR206~14−5~5−14~−6−23~−15−32~−24
TR / SR257~16−6~6−16~−7−26~−17−36~−27
TR / SR308~18−7~7−18~−8−29~−19−40~−30
TR / SR359~20−8~8−20~−9−32~−21−44~−33
TR / SR4510~22−9~9−22~−10−35~−23−48~−36
TR5511~24−10~10−24~−11−38~−25−52~−39
TR6512~26−11~11−26~−12−41~−27−56~−42
Check heat before choosing Z3: heavier preload means more friction power, so continuous running should stay at Z2 or below. Z3 only pays off on short-stroke, intermittent duty.

2. Table 2.6.2 Matched-set vs separate-type interchangeability

A matched set is cut and assembled by the factory, reaching very high combination accuracy; separate blocks and rails ship individually and are more flexible but combination-limited. This is the constraint most often missed at order time.

TypeAvailable accuracyAvailable preload
Matched setUP / SP / P / H / NZF / Z0 / Z1 / Z2 / Z3
Separate typeN / H / P (P is the ceiling)ZF / Z0 / Z1 / Z2 (no Z3)

UP accuracy or Z3 preload forces a matched set; separate type caps at P with Z2.

3. Lower-lock bolt hole rails (Table 2.4.2)

Besides the usual counterbored holes, lower-lock rails are available so bolt heads do not protrude, easing cleanup and subsequent mating surfaces.

SizeMhEF
TR / SR15M5×0.882060
TR / SR20M6×1102060
TR / SR25M6×1122060
TR / SR30M8×1.25152080
TR / SR35M8×1.25172080
TR / SR45M12×1.752422.5105
TR55M14×22430120
TR65M20×2.53035150

FAQ

When is heavy Z3 preload appropriate?
Short strokes, intermittent running, shock loads, or where stiffness matters (short-stroke high-speed positioning, machine tool tables). On continuous long-stroke running, Z3 raises temperature and can starve the lubricant.
Is a matched set always better than separate blocks?
Not always. A matched set gives higher combination accuracy but you cannot swap one block — a damaged block means replacing the set. Separate blocks let you pair to the actual stroke and replace individually, which can be cheaper over the machine life.
What is the difference between ZF and Z0 clearance?
For TR/SR25, ZF is +7~16 µm of positive clearance, while Z0 is −6~6 µm — zero clearance with slight interference. Negative clearance means preload: reverse error disappears at the cost of friction.
Selection TreeShaft-end machining

All tables from the MOSIONX 2026 general catalogue, chapter A pages A83–A84 and A81 (Table 2.4.2).

Request a QuoteSelection GuideOpen Selector →