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Festo ELGD Linear Axes: Toothed-Belt vs. Ball-Screw

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FAQ's about Festo's ELGD

Which ELGD is best for long strokes?

ELGD-TB – it’s designed for long travel and high dynamics, with strokes to ~2.85 m and up to 3 m/s.

Which ELGD is best for micrometre-class repeatability?

ELGD-BS—datasheet repeatability is ±0.01 mm (size/pitch dependent)

What’s the “WD” version?

A wide profile that lowers height and mass (about 30% lighter) while keeping similar guide capacity—great for compact, multi-axis systems.

Can I use these in clean or dirty environments?

Yes. The stainless cover strip plus sealing-air port let you run slight vacuum or positive pressure to manage particles.

Rather listen than read?

August 21, 2025

Festo ELGD Linear Axes: Toothed-Belt vs. Ball-Screw - How to Choose

Don't feel like reading a lot? Here's all you need to know at a glance.

Pick ELGD-TB (toothed-belt) when you need long strokes and fast traverse/acceleration; pick ELGD-BS (ball-screw) when you need higher thrust and the tightest repeatability. Both share a rigid square profile with a dual recirculating-ball guide, stainless cover strip, and a sealing-air (purge) connection for clean or dirty environments.

What makes ELGD different

Rigid platform: square-profile extrusion + recirculating-ball guide for high load capacity and smooth motion.
Stainless cover strip + sealing-airport: helps minimize particle emission/ingress; run slight vacuum for clean processes or slight overpressure for dusty areas.
Wide (WD) option: ~30% lighter while retaining similar guide load capacity—useful in multi-axis gantries.
Slide choices: standard, long (extended), or additional slide to boost moment capacity for wide/heavy payloads.

ELDG chooser (at a glance)

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Why / key specs

Long travel, fast cycles, high acceleration

ELGD-TB

Working stroke up to ~2.85 m, max speed ~3 m/s, accel 50 m/s², typical repetition accuracy ±0.04 mm

High thrust, precise positioning, smooth low-speed

ELGD-BS

Working stroke up to 2 m (size 80), repeatability ±0.01 mm; pitch options 5/10/20 mm trade speed vs. force (max speed up to ~1.67 m/s with 20 mm pitch on size 80).

Spec highlights

ELGD-TB (toothed-belt)

Stroke: 50…2850 mm (size/pattern dependent).
Max speed / accel: 3 m/s and 50 m/s².
Repetition accuracy: ±0.04 mm.
Extras: FDA-compliant blue belt option; coated PU belt option for coolant resistance; lifetime-lubricated guide.

ELGD-BS (ball-screw)

Stroke: up to 2000 mm (size 80); size 60 up to 1000 mm.
Repeatability: ±0.01 mm; reversing backlash 0.15 mm.
Max speed: up to ~1.67 m/s (size 80, 20-mm pitch).
Pitch options: 5 / 10 / 20 mm; choose higher pitch for speed, lower for thrust.

Mounting & loading handling

ELGD-BS (ball-screw)

Slides: upgrade to long or add an additional slide when payloads are wide or moments are high.
Motor mounting: axial/parallel kits and multiple orientations supported; permitted axis/motor combinations are documented with Festo kits.

Typical applications

ELGD-TB: packaging shuttles, long-reach gantries, high-throughput pick-and-place (speed/distance first).

ELGD-BS: press-fit/dosing, precision assembly, metrology handling (precision/thrust first).

How PennAir helps

Co-spec & size: Send payload, CG, stroke, and takt time – we’ll run Festo EMS and recommend an ELGD package.
Build & integrate: Need the motion kit and a UL 508A control panel? We can deliver the complete, validated system.
Try fast: Ask about demo

Ready to choose? If speed/distance wins, go ELGD-TB. If precision/thrust wins, go ELGD-BS – and we’ll size the rest.

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