XSlide™ Manual Linear Stages
XSlide™ Manually-Operated Linear Stages are single axis compact slides that can be combined in multiple axis in travel distances up to 30”
XSlide™ Manual Linear Stages deliver compact, high-precision linear motion in a cost-effective design based on the proven BiSlide® architecture. Engineered for smaller loads and space-constrained applications, these stages provide accurate, repeatable positioning while offering the simplicity and reliability of manual operation.
XSlide™ Manual Linear Stages allow smooth, controlled positioning with excellent tactile feedback. A choice of 3/8 in or 10 mm diameter lead screws enables users to balance resolution and travel speed to meet specific application requirements. Easily accessible carriage and lead screw adjustments simplify fine tuning and long-term maintenance.
Constructed with anodized aluminum ways and PTFE linear bearings, XSlide™ stages offer long service life and smooth motion with 0.0001 in (0.0025 mm) repeatability. The 45-degree opposing way design provides maximum rigidity and load support in all directions, ensuring stable performance even in multi-axis manual systems.
A cleat-based mounting system allows secure, distortion-free installation, and multiple stages can be combined into multi-axis configurations without adapters, making XSlide™ Manual Linear Stages an ideal solution for laboratory, inspection, and precision positioning applications.
Specifications
Factors such as size of the motor, size of the payload, travel distance, mounting direction/plane, etc. effect the actual capability of any assembly. Please contact Velmex Application Engineers to configure a system that will meet your exact requirements.
| Standard | Metric | |
| Travel Distance‡ | 2" - 30" | 5.1 – 76.2 cm |
| Base Length | 6.05" – 34.05" | 15.4 – 86.5 cm |
| Slider Length | 2" | 5.1 cm |
| Weight† | .99 - 3.22 lbs. | .45- 1.46 kg. |
| Height | 1.39" | 3.5 cm |
| Width | 1.9" | 4.8 cm |
| Coefficient of friction | .09 typical |
| Coefficient range | 0.04 (Heavy Load Dynamic) to 0.15-0.3 (Lubricated heavy Load Static>1 hour) |
| Minimum motor torque required | 25 oz-in (0.18 N-M) |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 180° F (-18 to 82° C) |
Properties of Velmex Stages - Information on stage composition, tolerances, wear and design for specialty applications.
Load Parameters - Definitions and parameters that effect the various load ratings.
XSlide Load Calculations
Note: Because of the interlocking nature of the XSlide carriage and the dovetail ways, the maximum recommended load centered (normal) or under horizontal thrust would be comparable whether the slide was upright (Normal – LN), Inverted (LI) or set on the Edge (LE).
| Standard | Metric | |
| Dynamic Load -Maximum Centered | 35 lbs. | 15.9 kg |
| Static Load - Maximum Centered | 35 lbs. | 15.9 kg |
| Momentary Load - Maximum Centered | 140 lbs. | 63.6 kg |
| Dynamic Load - Thrust | 10 lbs. | 4.5 kg |
| Static Load -Thrust | 20 lbs. | 9.07 kg |
| Momentary Load -Thrust | 120 lbs. | 54.5 |
| Dynamic Load - Cantilevered | 32 lbs.-in. | 3.6 N-m |
| Static Load - Cantilevered | 65 lbs.-in | 7.3 N-m |
| Momentary Load - Cantilevered | 125 lbs.-in | 14 N-m |
Lead Screw Specifications
| Repeatability | 0.00015″ (4 microns) typical |
| Straight line accuracy | 0.003″ (0.076 mm) over entire travel distance. Higher accuracy 0.0015″ (0.038mm) available |
| Screw lead accuracy | 0.003″/10″ (0.076 mm/25 cm) 0.0015″/10″ available. Consult factory. |
English Thread Lead Screws
| Pitch | Backlash Typical | Resolution | XSlide™ Code | |||
| Turns per inch | Advance per revolution | English | Metric | Degrees | English | |
| 2.5* | 0.400" | 0.002" | 0.051 mm | 1/200 rev or 1.8° | 0.001" | E04 |
| 5* | 0.200" | 0.001" | 0.025 mm | 1/200 rev or 1.8° | 0.0005" | E02 |
| 10 | 0.100" | 0.00050" | 0.013 mm | 1/200 rev or 1.8° | 0.00025" | E01 |
| 20 | 0.050" | 0.00025" | 0.006 mm | 1/200 rev or 1.8° | 0.000125" | E50 |
| 40 | 0.025" | 0.00013" | 0.003 mm | 1/200 rev or 1.8° | 0.0000625" | E25 |
Metric Thread Lead Screws
| Pitch | Backlash Typical | Resolution | XSlide™ Code | |||
| Turns per cm | Advance per revolution | English | Metric | Degrees | Metric | |
| 5 | 2 mm | 0.00039" | 0.01 mm | 1/200 rev or 1.8° | 0.005 mm | M02 |
| 10 | 1 mm | 0.0002" | 0.005 mm | 1/200 rev or 1.8° | 0.0025 mm | M01 |
*Not recommended for vertical assemblies because the lead screw could back drive.
More accurate screws are optional. Contact a Velmex Application Engineer for more information.
Backlash can be adjusted to near 0. Manual applications only
Resolution specified with standard Velmex motor configurations with 1.8° step angles using VXC Stepping Motor Controller.
Standard Part Numbers
| Part Number | Travel Distance | Lead Screws Available |
| XN10-0020-XXX | 2" (5.1 cm) | E04, E02, E01, E50, E25, M01, M02 |
| XN10-0040-XXX | 4" (10.2 cm) | E04, E02, E01, E50, E25, M01, M02 |
| XN10-0060-XXX | 6" (15.2 cm) | E04, E02, E01, E50, E25, M01, M02 |
| XN10-0080-XXX | 8" (20.3 cm) | E04, E02, E01, E50, E25, M01, M02 |
| XN10-0100-XXX | 10" (25.4 cm) | E04, E02, E01, E50, E25, M01, M02 |
| XN10-0120-XXX | 12" (30.5 cm) | E04, E02, E01, E50, E25, M01, M02 |
| XN10-0180-XXX | 18" (45.7cm) | E04, E02, E01, E50, E25, M01, M02 |
| XN10-0240-XXX | 24" (61.0 cm) | E04, E02, E01, E50, E25, M01, M02 |
| XN10-0300-XXX | 30" (76.2 cm) | E04, E02, E01, E50, E25, M01, M02 |
XSlide™ Linear Stages are available in the standard travel distances shown above as well as custom lengths up to 60″
Options/Accessories for XSlide™ Manual Linear Stages
Several options can be added to XSlide™ Assemblies to make them more versatile and configurable with other Velmex products.
Velmex offers a multitude of options and accessories for all its products. Usually an option or an accessory will address your requirements. When it doesn’t, we can make custom modifications, including:
• Additional holes or slots. (A drawing is required.)
• Intermediate plates to mount your payload
• Special or in between lengths of the dovetail base
• Lead screw shaft extensions
• Choice of drive nut materials, including brass and Vespel
• Right and left-hand threads on the same lead screw, allowing a pair of sliders to move together or apart.
We can also offer customized configurations to address special environmental and vacuum applications.
Applications and Examples
Note: the example displayed may be a custom configuration, designed to the customer’s specifications; and not offered as a standard product. Custom configurations could contain custom, externally-fabricated components.
Here is an example of a B59 Series Motorized Rotary Stage mounted to a manually operated XSlide™ XY Stage atop a Free Sliding XSlide™ Assembly.
Here is a Compact Manual XY Stage with two XSlide™ Assemblies, one of which has optional motion locks.
This is an example of a manual XSlide™ Assembly configured as a gantry
This Linear Stage is configured with a Single-ended Optical Rotary Encoder and VRO Encoder Readout to display position.
XSlide™ Vertical Linear Stage with gusset.
Downloads
The majority of CAD drawings found in our Technical Library are Step (.stp) files. You will also see .dxf, .dwg, .sat and .pdf files. For .STP files, you may need to right click on the download button and save the “target” or “link”. If you require a different format or cannot located the drawing you require, please contact us.
NOTE: Lead Screw pitch variations are represented by a single drawing number. For example – XN10-0120-E05-71 becomes XN10-0120-XXX-71
For non-standard sizes or multi-axis configurations, please contact us. There may be an additional charge.
| Title | Summary | File Type | Link | hf:file_type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XN10-0020-XXX-11-TL 4Cleats.stp | Lead screw, basic knob, 2″ Travel | stp | stp | |
| XN10-0040-XXX-11 4Cleats.stp | Lead screw, basic knob, 4″ Travel | stp | stp | |
| XN10-0060-XXX-11 4Cleats.stp | Lead screw, basic knob, 6″ Travel | stp | stp | |
| XN10-0080-XXX-11 4Cleats.stp | Lead screw, basic knob, 8″ Travel | stp | stp | |
| XN10-0180-X-11.stp | Lead screw, basic knob, 18″ Travel | stp | stp | |
| XN10-0240-XXX-11 42Cleats.stp | Lead screw, basic knob, 24″ Travel | stp | stp | |
| XSlide Dimensional Drawing.pdf | 2D Dimensional Drawings | |||
| XSlide Spec Overview | Overview of XSlide Assemblies – manual and motorized | |||
| XSlide™ Users Manual | User’s Operating Manual for XSlide™ |
Knowledge Base
| Motion | Linear |
|---|---|
| Maximum Travel | 30" |
| Minimum Travel | 2″ (50 mm) |
| Maximum Horizontal Payload | 35 lbs. (15.9 kg.) |
| Maximum Vertical Payload | 10 lbs. (4.5 kg.) |
| Straight-line Accuracy | 0.003″/10” (0.076 mm/25 cm) |
| Repeatablility | 0.0001 inch (0.00254 mm) |
