Many technicians tend to further tighten the loose side when arc linear guides stall at curved sections. In fact, excessive single-side clamping will cause elastic deformation of the guide rail and force moving parts to deviate from the designed path. The core issue lies in geometric offset caused by unbalanced clamping torque on both sides, rather than insufficient tightness.
First, over-tightening on one side excessively compresses the fitting clearance between the slide block and the rail, eliminating the reserved working gap. Rolling elements cannot change direction smoothly in curved areas, resulting in mechanical interference and high running resistance.
Second, uneven clamping tilts the slide block slightly, leading to asymmetric load on raceways. One side bears excessive contact deformation while the other stays loose. The additional torque triggers intermittent stalling and jitter when the block passes through arcs.
Third, this stalling is directional. Movement is slightly blocked in one direction yet severely hindered in reverse. The tilted rolling elements travel different paths on inner and outer raceways, creating a wedge self-locking effect that may even fully jam the mechanism.
The correct solution is to balance the clamping force on both sides and restore proper fitting clearance. It is also necessary to inspect the flatness of the mounting base and the alignment of the slide block. Excessive clamping is often used to make up for installation errors. Eliminate fundamental assembly deviations to achieve smooth operation.
The key is to loosen the over-tightened side and reapply uniform clamping. Use a feeler gauge to verify consistent clearance on both sides if needed. Arc guides are highly sensitive to unbalanced torque, and minor differences will be amplified into obvious stalling at bends. Precision commissioning relies on proper clearance instead of blind over-tightening.
