Correct installation and alignment are essential for the performance and lifetime of a linear axis. This page gives the unified procedure for mounting, aligning, coupling, lubricating, and commissioning a NILAB linear axis. For the axis-specific details, follow the links to the family pages.
- Mount the axis on a rigid, flat base (machine frame) — the base flatness and stiffness directly affect the guide lifetime and the achievable precision. - Use the flange or T-slot mounting (ULCO: unified T-slots compatible with M5, M6, M8 nuts). - Check the mounting surface for flatness and parallelism before fixing the axis.
- Align the guide rails parallel to the motion direction. - Check the straightness and parallelism of the guide (straightness error and parallel offset of the two rails). - Use the recommended alignment procedure from the axis documentation; for LM axes the guides are WON recirculating ball guides.
- Attach the payload to the carriage. - For an off-axis load, use a cross-carriage or the GDM module (available in a multi-carriage configuration). - Keep the moved mass low and the rigidity high — see Machine design (mass reduction, stiffness, natural frequencies ≥ ~200 Hz).
- WON recirculating ball guides are equipped with LF seals and use a porous resin lubricant — this gives a very long lubrication interval. - Do not use grease lubrication in the GDM stage (grease is not optimal for high-speed linear motion). - Follow the Lubrication page for the axis-specific requirements.
- Use the cable chain for the LM axes (CH horizontal, CV vertical, CS side mounting) to protect and guide the cables. - Route the cables without tension; use flying connectors or carriage-mounted connectors. - Integrated motors (NLi, NLi-EtherCAT) reduce the cabling effort and support daisy-chain connection.
- Choose the bellows version (GDM) for dust or washdown environments. - Check the IP rating for the application environment (washdown, dust, food-grade).
- Perform a homing / reference run. - Check the encoder, the current, and the force during the first motion. - For integrated drives, use NILAB Starter (auto-teach, single and parallel motion, diagnostics).