6/22/24, 8:45 PM Beam deflection equations for linear systems

NEWS APPLICATIONS SLIDES + GUIDES DRIVES ACTUATORS

ENCODERS + SENSORS (LINEAR) + I/O STAGES + GANTRIES RESOURCES

Beam deflection equations for linear

systems
★ BY DANIELLE COLLINS — 1 COMMENT

When a linear guide, such as a round shaft or profiled rail, deflects or sags, the bearings that
travel along the guide experience edge loading (a higher load concentrated at the ends of the
bearing), which can cause rough, irregular movement, increased wear, and reduced bearing
life. And when a linear guide is incorporated into a linear actuator, deflection in the actuator
housing or body translates to the guide, causing the same performance issues.

To avoid excessive deflection, linear systems should be mounted according to manufacturer’s

specifications, which include tolerances for flatness and straightness. Ideally, this would entail
mounting the actuator or guide with continuous support along its entire length. But in cases
where full support isn’t feasible — often due to design or space constraints — the following
beam deflection equations can provide an estimate of how much deflection will be caused by
the application’s mounting and loading conditions.

Beam deflection equations for round shaft guides and gantry systems
One way to prevent deflection in round shaft guides is to use shaft supports. But these add
cost and negate one of the benefits of using round shafts: open space under the shaft for other

https://www.linearmotiontips.com/beam-deflection-equations-for-linear-systems/ 1/10
 For this reason, round shaft guides are often supported only at the ends, which is referred to as
simply
6/22/24, 8:45 PM supported mounting. But with the Beam full length
deflection of the shaft
equations unsupported,
for linear systems the shaft will
deflect due to its own weight. And when an external load is added, the load will cause
additional deflection as it travels along the shaft, with maximum deflection occurring when the
load is located at the center of the shaft’s length.

Simply supported mounting also occurs in gantry systems, which are made up of two X (base)
axes, with a Y (cross) axis mounted between them. The Y axis is mounted only at its ends, in a
simply supported arrangement. Like the simply supported shaft, the cross axis of a gantry
system deflects due to both its own weight and the applied load, with maximum deflection
occurring when the load is located at the middle of the axis (typically one-half of the stroke
length).

Image credit: Northwest Motion

For a simply supported beam (round shaft guide or a gantry cross axis), the maximum
deflection is the sum of deflection due to the beam’s own weight, plus deflection due to
the load:

https://www.linearmotiontips.com/beam-deflection-equations-for-linear-systems/ 2/10
6/22/24, 8:45 PM Beam deflection equations for linear systems

E is the modulus of elasticity of the material, also referred to as Young’s modulus. Its units are
N/m2 or lbf/in2. Modulus of elasticity is often provided by the manufacturer.

I is the planar moment of inertia (also referred to as “second moment of area”) of the guide or
actuator. Its units are m4 or in4. Planar moment of inertia formulas for common shapes can be
found here.

The most basic mounting and loading arrangement is simply supported with a single point
load. But linear guides and systems typically use two bearings per guide in order to improve
moment loading capability and overall load capacity.

In this arrangement, the load is split between the two bearings, and maximum deflection
occurs in two places: at the location of each bearing when the center of the load is located at
the middle of the system’s length.

When two bearings are used on a single guide, deflection due to the weight of the beam
(guide or axis) plus deflection due to the applied load is calculated as:

https://www.linearmotiontips.com/beam-deflection-equations-for-linear-systems/ 3/10
 A cantilevered beam is supported only at one end, with maximum deflection occurring when
6/22/24, 8:45 PM Beam deflection equations for linear systems
the applied load is located farthest from the supported end. Like simply supported beams,
cantilevered beams experience deflection due to both their own weight and the weight of the
applied load.

Cantilevered beam scenarios are found less often in linear guide and actuator applications. But
two types of linear systems are inherently cantilevered: telescoping guides and Cartesian
systems. In a Cartesian system, the base, or X, axis is fully supported, and depending on the
Cartesian configuration, either the second (Y) or third (Z) axis will be cantilevered.

For a cantilevered beam, deflection due to the weight of the beam (telescoping guide or
Cartesian axis) plus the load is calculated as:

Note that deflection calculations for compound telescoping guides are more complicated
than the cantilevered beam deflection equations given here, due to intermediate supports and
varying cross-sections along the length of the guide. The equations given here are for simple
telescoping applications. For more complex arrangements, manufacturers often provide
deflection calculations specific to their telescoping guide designs.

You may also like:

https://www.linearmotiontips.com/beam-deflection-equations-for-linear-systems/ 4/10
6/22/24, 8:45 PM Beam deflection equations for linear systems

What’s the Telescoping Don’t overlook Moment of The difference

difference slides: these factors inertia: area or between
between serial Extending the when mass? inertia and
kinematics reach of linear choosing a momentum
and parallel guides linear system
kinematics in…

FILED UNDER: APPLICATIONS, BALL + LEADSCREW DRIVEN, BALL + ROLLER GUIDES, BELT + CHAIN DRIVEN, FAQS + BASICS,
FEATURED, LINEAR BEARINGS, PLASTIC + COMPOSITE GUIDES

Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.

Search this website

LEARNING CENTER

https://www.linearmotiontips.com/beam-deflection-equations-for-linear-systems/ 5/10
6/22/24, 8:45 PM
BROWSE DESIGN GUIDES
Beam deflection equations for linear systems

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools
and strategies for Design Engineering
Professionals.
GET THE ENEWSLETTER

MOTION CONTROL TIPS

›Optimizing manufacturing production

through HMI/controller integration

›Hepworth’s gearless maritime axial-

motor drive — from ECM’s PrintStator CAD
SaaS platform

›New control function improves

throughput, quality for high-precision laser
processes

›New brushless dc hypoid gearmotors

deliver high torque

Touchless angle sensors feature CAN

›
SAE J1939 interface

https://www.linearmotiontips.com/beam-deflection-equations-for-linear-systems/ 6/10
 FEATURED WHITE PAPERS
6/22/24, 8:45 PM Beam deflection equations for linear systems

›Robotic Automation is Indispensable for

the Logistics Industry’s Continued Growth
and Success

Reliable Linear Motion For Packaging

›
Machines

›Technical Brief – “Understanding the

Extensive Benefits of Total Linear
Positioning Systems.”

https://www.linearmotiontips.com/beam-deflection-equations-for-linear-systems/ 7/10
6/22/24, 8:45 PM Beam deflection equations for linear systems

https://www.linearmotiontips.com/beam-deflection-equations-for-linear-systems/ 8/10
6/22/24, 8:45 PM Beam deflection equations for linear systems

DESIGN WORLD NETWORK

Design World Online

The Robot Report
Coupling Tips
Motion Control Tips

https://www.linearmotiontips.com/beam-deflection-equations-for-linear-systems/ 9/10
 Wire and Cable Tips
6/22/24, 8:45 PM Beam deflection equations for linear systems
LINEAR MOTION TIPS

Subscribe to our newsletter

Advertise with us
Contact us
About us

Copyright © 2024 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the
prior written permission of WTWH Media.
Privacy Policy

https://www.linearmotiontips.com/beam-deflection-equations-for-linear-systems/ 10/10