Installation

Procedure

Rockford Profile Linear Guide Rails are manufactured to be interchangeable, meaning that either side of the rail
can be used as a primary locating datum edge. When two or more rails are used in a parallel system, one of the rails
is considered the master rail while all others are auxiliary. In a single rail installation there is only a master rail.

Installation Instructions for a Two Rail System with Positive

Reference Edge & Normal Mounting Surfaces for the Master Rail

Grease Fittings and Accessories. 2 Place the Master rail on the prepared rail mounting
If block accessories, such as additional end seals and/ surface. It is recommended to install the block(s) at a
or metal scrapers are not required, the grease fittings later point in this procedure to avoid accidental block
and lube port plugs should be assembled onto the damage. However for applications where subsequent
blocks prior to installing the blocks on the rail. However block installation is not possible, proper access to all
if additional accessories are being used, please refer to of the rail mounting bolt holes should be checked and
the installation instructions on page 35 as some kits will block end accessories installed as applicable. Refer
require an alternative lube fitting. to page 35 for end accessory installation instructions.

1 The rail mounting surfaces need to be free of burrs,

dirt, rust preventative oil, and foreign material before
installation of the rails. Use an oil stone on the master
and auxiliary rail mounting surfaces to remove any
high spots or dislodge any foreign material that
may exist.
Tra n sve r s e S u r f ac e
(ve r t i c a l ed g e)

No r m a l S u r f ac e
3 While holding the rail against the datum edge, insert
clean bolts, check for correct bolt fit, and lightly snug
O i l S to n e all bolts. The torque applied to the bolts during this
step should allow for subsequent rail movement as
may occur during installation of the push plates.

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Installation Procedure

4 Install and tighten the clamping mechanisms (Push 6 The block(s) should now be installed on the master
Plates shown) in sequence starting from the middle of rail only. Be sure the end of the rail is free from
the rail and working towards the ends. burrs and all foreign materials prior to attempting
installation. If a datum edge is being utilized on
the component that assembles on the block(s),
remember to install the block so the ground datum
edge of the block faces towards the datum locating
surface.
G ro u n d S u r f ac e
Datu m Ed g e

B l o c k Foa m
In s e r t

5 Torque the rail mounting bolts to specification (as

shown below) in sequence beginning with the bolts at
the center of the rail and working towards each end
as shown below. A torque wrench should be used to
set the specified Bolt Torque (Specifications shown
on pages 5, 7 & 9).
7 Install a block and dial indicator on the master rail for
alignment purposes. While displacing the block and
5 indicator from one end of the master rail to the other
and indicating relative to positive locating feature(s) of
3
the device, verify the alignment of the rail assembly to
1
the indicated locating features

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Installation
Procedure

8 Place the auxiliary rail on the prepared rail mounting 11 Install the cap plugs into the bolt hole counter bores
surface, insert clean rail mounting bolts, and lightly as shown below.
snug the bolts in preparation for aligning the auxiliary
rail to the master rail. Torque the bolts to the same
standard as used in Step 3.

Pl a s t i c M a l l et
9 Inspect the parallelism and height variation of the
auxiliary rail relative to the master rail by using
an indicator or other appropriate means. The
specifications for running parallelism and height
variation limits are stated on page 28, Fig. 28C. If
M et a l Pl u g (D r i f t)
necessary, the auxiliary rail should be gently re-
positioned relative to the master rail within the noted R a i l Pl a s t i c Ca p

variation limits.

12 Install the remaining blocks on the master and

auxiliary rails. Additional end seals and/or scraper
kits should be assembled while the block is installed
on the rail as shown in kit assembly instructions,
(page 35).

13 Install the assembled component(s) that mount onto

the blocks and lightly tighten the mounting bolts. If
10 Torque the auxiliary rail mounting bolts to
push plates are being used, they should be installed
specification in sequence beginning with the bolts at
and their mounting bolts tightened to secure positive
the center of the rail and working towards each end
location of the block datum surface to the mating
(See Step 5). A torque wrench should be used to set
component datum surface.
the specified bolt torque. Once the bolts have been
sequentially torqued, the alignment of the auxiliary
rail to the master rail should be re-verified by using
the procedure stated in
Step 9.

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Installation Procedure

14 Sequentially torque the assembled component(s) 15 As a final measure, the initial charge of lubricant
mounting bolts starting with Block #1 and finishing should be introduced into each block as
with Block #4. The linear guidance system should recommended on page 33.
be checked for smooth operation along the entire
travel. If any binding or excessive resistance is
encountered, the alignments as shown in Step 9
should be re-verified.

Installation of a Rail System Without a Positive Reference

Edge Locating Surface

Grease Fittings and Accessories. 2 Place the Master rail on the prepared rail mounting
If block accessories, such as additional end seals and surface. It is recommended to install the block(s) at a
metal scrapers are not required, the grease fittings and later point in this procedure to avoid accidental block
lube port plugs should be assembled onto the blocks damage. However for applications where subsequent
prior to installing the blocks on the rail. However if block installation is not possible, proper access to all
additional accessories are being used, please refer to of the rail mounting bolt holes should be checked and
the accessory installation instructions as some kits will block end accessories installed as applicable. Refer
require an alternative lube fitting. to Step 12 for end accessory installation instructions.

1 The rail mounting surfaces need to be free of burrs,

dirt, rust preventative oil and foreign material before
installation of the rails. Use an oil stone on the master
and auxiliary rail mounting surfaces to remove any
high spots or dislodge any foreign material that
may exist.

No r m a l S u r f ac e

O i l S to n e

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Installation
Procedure

3 Insert clean bolts, check for correct bolt fit, and 5 Torque the rail mounting bolts to specification shown
lightly snug all bolts. The torque applied to the bolts on pages 5, 7 & 9, in sequence beginning with the
during this step should allow for subsequent rail bolts at the center of the rail and working towards
adjustment as may be necessary during the following each end. A torque wrench should be used to set
alignment procedures. the specified bolt torque. Once the bolts have been
sequentially torqued, the alignment of the master rail
should be re-verified by using the procedure stated in
Step 4.

4 While keeping the block datum edge in proper

orientation, install a block and dial indicator on the
master rail for alignment purposes. While displacing 6 Place the auxiliary rail on the prepared rail mounting
the block and indicator from one end of the master
surface, insert clean rail mounting bolts, and lightly
rail to the other and indicating relative to positive
snug the bolts in preparation for aligning the auxiliary
locating feature(s) of the device, gently re-position
rail to the master rail. Torque the bolts to the same
the rail into proper alignment. An example of this
standard as used in Step 3.
alignment procedure is shown in Step 7 on page 39.
Reference Step 6 on page 39 for block installation.

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Installation Procedure

7 Inspect the parallelism and height variation of the 9 Install the cap plugs into the bolt hole counter bores
auxiliary rail relative to the master rail by using as shown below.
an indicator or other appropriate means. The
specifications for running parallelism and height
variation limits are stated on page 28, Fig. 28C.
If necessary, the auxiliary rail should be gently
repositioned relative to the master rail within the Pl a s t i c M a l l et

noted variation limits.

M et a l Pl u g (D r i f t)

R a i l Pl a s t i c Ca p

10 Install the remaining blocks on the master and

auxiliary rails. Additional end seals and/or scraper
kits should be assembled while the block is installed
on the rail as shown (reference accessory installation
8 Torque the auxiliary rail mounting bolts to instructions).
specification shown on pages 5, 7 & 9, in sequence
beginning with the bolts at the center of the rail and 11 The assembled components mounting to the blocks
working towards each end (Step 5). A torque wrench should be installed and aligned to the linear guidance
should be used to set the specified bolt torque. system. Once these alignments are completed,
Once the bolts have been sequentially torqued, the the linear guidance system should be checked for
alignment of the auxiliary rail relative to the master rail smooth operation along the entire travel. If any
should be re-verified by using the procedure stated binding or excessive resistance is encountered, the
in Step 7. alignments as shown in Step 7 should be re-verified.

12 As a final measure, the initial charge of lubricant

should be introduced into each block as
recommended on page 33.
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