Linear motion system is one of the most important elements of mechanisms and machines, which allows rectilinear movement of their units. Usually, all linear motion systems (hereinafter for simplicity referred to as "linear guides" for simplicity) are covered with dirt protection covers, and therefore they are rarely in usual circumstances.
However, these systems are used in almost all industries, such as electronics, production of medical equipment, construction, automotive, military, chemical, etc. Thus, linear guides have become an essential and necessary component of many modern devices and mechanisms.
It is believed that for the first time, people used rolling to move heavy loads instead of sliding back during the heyday of Egypt – in the construction of the pyramids. Round logs were placed under huge stones, thus facilitating the transportation task. However, despite such an early recognition of the advantages of rolling friction over sliding friction, linear bearings began to be widely used only in the middle of the 20th century.