Roller Recirculation
In roller recirculation, the rolling elements circulate in a closed path within the carriage. This design enables a theoretically unlimited travel distance — unlike non-recirculating guides (e.g. crossed-roller guides), where the stroke is limited by the cage length.
Operating Principle
In a recirculating carriage, the rolling elements (balls or rollers) continuously travel through a closed circuit: in the load-bearing zone (between rail and carriage) they carry the operating forces. At the end of the travel path they are directed through a return channel into the unloaded return zone. From there, a second deflection channel guides them back into the load-bearing zone. This principle is found in profiled rail guides (also called linear guides), where it enables rails of any length and therefore unlimited travel.
Recirculating vs. Non-Recirculating Guide
Non-recirculating guides (e.g. crossed-roller guides with cage) are limited to a stroke determined by the cage length — typically under 500 mm. In return, they offer extremely high stiffness and precision in minimal space. Recirculating guides are predestined for long strokes or continuous positioning and are used in CNC axes, gantries, handling systems, and many standard applications. The disadvantage is the slightly larger carriage size due to the recirculation zone.
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