Executive summary
A linear guide rail has precision-ground running faces and is shipped coated in anti-rust oil. Loose oil paper or wrapping by hand leaves gaps where dust sticks to the oil and moisture gets in. Our automatic bagging machine seals each rail in its own closed film bag, so the oil stays on the rail and the dirt stays off.
Guide rails run along a blue conveyor already sealed in clear film. Cardboard tags on the bagged rails are marked with the rail length, 210 cm, and the weight, 36 jin (18 kg). At the end an operator lifts the bagged rails into a carton.
Table of Contents
- Why guide rails are bagged
- Bagging sequence
- Machine data
- Bag size for a rail section
- Length, weight and handling
- Output formula
- Selection checklist
- Safety
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
Why guide rails are bagged
The running faces of a guide rail are ground to a fine finish, and a single grain of grit pressed into them during handling shows up later as noise or wear in the carriage. Oil protects against rust but also catches dust. A sealed bag keeps the oil film intact and clean, and it stops oil getting on the carton and on the hands of whoever handles the rail.
Bagging sequence
- The oiled rail is placed on the in-feed conveyor.
- A sensor detects the rail and starts the film feed.
- The film is formed into a tube round the rail.
- The long seam is sealed.
- The ends are sealed and cut beyond the rail ends.
- The bagged rail runs out to be tagged and boxed.
Machine data
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Rail length | up to 6,000 mm |
| Bagging speed | about 10–50 m/min |
| Film | BOPP or PE |
| Film thickness | 30–60 micron |
| Film roll | OD 100–200 mm, ID 75 mm |
| Air supply | 5–7 bar |
| Control | PLC with sealing temperature control |
Rail cross-section limits are confirmed at quote.
Bag size for a rail section
Lay-flat width ≥ (rail perimeter ÷ 2) + clearance
Example only: a rail section 30 mm wide and 28 mm high has an outline perimeter of 2 × (30 + 28) = 116 mm, so the lay-flat must be over 58 mm before clearance and seal. Leave enough clearance that the film does not wipe the oil off as the rail runs in, and seal the ends a short distance past the rail so the end faces are covered.
Length, weight and handling
The rail tag gives 18 kg for a 2,100 mm rail, about 18 ÷ 2.1 ≈ 8.6 kg per metre. At that weight a 6 m rail is about 51 kg. Long rails need a two-person lift or a lifting aid at the out-feed. The conveyor must support the rail along its length so it does not bend. Rollers that touch the ground faces are covered so they do not mark them; the cover material and VCI film options are confirmed at quote.
Output formula
Rails per minute ≈ bagging speed ÷ (rail length + gap)
Example only: 2.1 m rails with a 0.4 m gap at 20 m/min give 20 ÷ 2.5 = 8 rails per minute.
Selection checklist
- Rail sizes and length range.
- Weight per metre.
- Oil type on the rail.
- Rails per hour.
- BOPP or PE film.
- Tagging and boxing after bagging.
Safety
We design to EN ISO 12100:2010 for risk assessment, EN 415-10 for packaging machine safety and EN 60204-1 for the electrical equipment. The sealing jaws are guarded, and sensor and mechanical stops control each rail.
Engineering FAQ
Q: Does oil stop the film from sealing? A: The seal is made on film to film, away from the oily rail faces.
Q: Can it bag carriages and blocks too? A: Short parts are bagged on a different setup, confirmed at quote.
Q: What film is used? A: BOPP or PE, 30–60 micron.
Q: How long can the rail be? A: Up to 6,000 mm.
Next step
- Send your rail sizes, lengths and output to info@fhopepack.com.
- We set the former, bag size and conveyor support.
- We reply within 24 hours with a proposal and quotation.
Related reading
- Bagging machine (product)
- Aluminum profile bagging machine
- High speed steel tube pipe single bagging packing line machine
- Automatic aluminum tube bagging and stacking line
Sources
- FHOPE product page: bagging machine
- EN ISO 12100:2010; EN 415-10; EN 60204-1
Last reviewed: 2026-10-20
