Linear rolling bearings are available as monorail guidance systems, track roller guidance systems, shaft guidance systems with linear ball bearings, flat cage guidance systems, guidance systems with linear recirculating roller or ball bearing units and as driven units (actuators and tables). Furthermore, INA also manufactures special miniature guidance systems for small design envelopes such as those in mechatronics and precision engineering. These very compact elements with very high load capacity, low friction and high rigidity are available as cage or recirculating systems. Due to their compact design, they can often replace solutions requiring significantly greater space.

The guidance systems comprise a guideway/carriage unit, a linear bearing/shaft system or are guideway/guideway units with roller or ball flat cages between them. Driven linear units are single-axis or multi-axis complete systems with a mechanical guidance system, an electric motor and a controller matched to the system.

Linear guidance systems are ready-to-fit locating bearings predominantly for unlimited stroke lengths. Flat cage guidance systems and linear guidance sets are, with a few exceptions, used for restricted stroke lengths due to the cage kinematics. The bearings support forces from all direction - except the direction of motion - and moments about all axes. Shaft guidance systems with linear ball bearings are suitable for loads from two directions and can compensate for static shaft misalignment. For the high rigidity and accuracy often required in operation, most units are supplied ex works preloaded or can be preloaded at fitting. Due to the various accuracy and preload classes, applications can easily be realised with high guidance and positional requirements.

In order to determine the size of guidance system, attention is paid primarily to the magnitude and type of load and the requirements for operating life and operational reliability of the bearing arrangement. In general, roller bearings can be subjected to higher loads than ball guidance systems of comparable external dimensions. Ball guidance systems are therefore normally used for small to moderate loads and highly dynamic motion, while roller guidance systems are used for high loads. If particularly high loads must be supported, flat cage and recirculating roller guidance systems are particularly suitable.