Bearings should only be removed from their packaging immediately before assembly. Bearings with dry preservative should be protected against corrosion immediately after removal from the packaging.

The assembly area and the adjacent construction must be clean. Contamination impairs the accuracy and operating life of the guidance systems.

The bearings must not be tilted.

In the case of sealed bearings with a segment cutout, it must be ensured at all costs that the ends of the seal lips are not turned inside out (pay attention to the packing slip).

Linear ball bearings KH are pressed into the housing bore using a fitting mandrel, Figure 1. The mandrel dimensions must be in accordance with Figure 1.

The marked end face of the linear ball bearing should be in contact with the flange of the mandrel.

Linear ball bearings can be fitted more easily if the outside surface is greased.

Smaller bearings of these series can be slid into the housing bore by hand. For larger bearings, it is advisable to use a fitting mandrel, Figure 2.

The bearings are then located by means of retaining rings or a screw, Figure 3.

In the case of all bearings located by means of a screw, it must be ensured that the screw does not deform the bearing and the screw is secured against loosening.

Bearings arranged in series should be aligned with a continuous shaft, positioned against a stop and then screw mounted firmly in place.

Bearings arranged in parallel are aligned by measuring the spacing between the shafts (A₁) or between the bearing outside diameters (A₂), Figure 4. This spacing can also be defined by means of spacers.

The first shaft is set (datum shaft) and screw mounted. The second shaft is aligned by moving the table to achieve the required spacing.

In very long guidance systems with supported shafts, one shaft and support rail unit is first aligned by means of the shaft and screw mounted firmly in place in stages (datum shaft), Figure 5.

The procedure described in link is then carried out.

Only one row of bearings arranged in series should be set clearance‑free or preloaded. The bearings parallel thereto should have a substantial operating clearance.

Clamp the datum support rail against a stop, Figure 6.

In the case of linear ball bearings KBS and slotted housings, the operating clearance can be adjusted. The screw must be adjusted until resistance to further rotation can be felt between the shaft and bearing.

The adjusted bearing should not be rotated any further on the shaft.

Preloaded bearings are set clearance-free on a master shaft that is smaller than the actual shaft in the application by the amount of the preload dimension.

If the guidance system is in a suspended arrangement, a drop guard is recommended, Figure 7.