Linear shafts are straight, cylindrical machine elements that provide a smooth running surface for plain linear bearings and linear ball bearings. They are available drilled or undrilled: drilled shafts contain mounting holes, while undrilled shafts remain solid along their length. They may also be tapped or untapped; tapping creates internal screw threads inside a drilled hole, allowing a screw or bolt to be threaded into the shaft, while an untapped hole has smooth internal walls. Standard diameter sizes range from 3/16” to 4” in inch sizes and from 4mm to 80mm in metric sizes. PBC Linear offers carbon steel, 420 and 440 stainless steel, and ceramic-coated aluminum linear shafts, with 300 Series stainless steel available upon request. Carbon steel provides hardness and wear resistance for general industrial motion; 420 and 440 stainless steels combine corrosion resistance with hardenable bearing surfaces; 300 Series stainless steel provides greater corrosion resistance for plain linear bearing applications; and ceramic-coated aluminum reduces weight while maintaining a durable running surface. Linear shafts are available off the shelf in standard and cut-to-length options, with custom machining such as chamfers, tapped holes, threaded diameters, and other end features. Chamfers are angled cuts that remove sharp edges from shaft ends. A threaded diameter is a narrower portion machined at the end of the shaft, with spiral ridges cut around its outside surface so a nut or another internally threaded component can be screwed onto it.
Key Features Across All Variations:
• Inch diameters from 3/16” to 4”
• Metric diameters from 4mm to 80mm
• Cumulative straightness of 0.001” to 0.002” per foot
• Metric cumulative straightness of 0.025mm to 0.051mm per meter
• End-joinable for longer linear travel
• End support blocks available
• Solid round and pre-drilled linear shaft options
• Standard lengths and cut-to-length options available
• Custom machined ends available
• Cut to customer-specified length tolerances
