FAQ
1. Can sliding rails support heavy loads?
Some models can support heavy loads whilst ensuring optimum stability and a long service life, even with heavy use.
2. Are Chambrelan telescopic slides suitable for medical equipment?
Yes, they are suitable for medical drawers, trolleys, lift beds and emergency equipment thanks to their reliability and durability.
3. Does Chambrelan offer bespoke guide solutions?
Yes, bespoke solutions can be provided to meet the specific requirements of each sector or set of specifications.
4. Can telescopic slides be used in vehicle interiors?
Yes, specialised solutions are available for drawers, technical units and storage compartments that are subject to impacts, vibrations and humidity.
5. Can telescopic slides withstand harsh environments?
Yes, some telescopic slides are designed to operate in extreme conditions: high levels of vibration, temperature fluctuations, impacts, corrosion or heavy-duty use.
6. How do I choose a telescopic slide that’s right for my application?
The choice depends on the load, the type of movement, the environment (vibration, humidity, temperature) and the available space. Chambrelan offers standard and bespoke models.
7. In which sectors can telescopic slides be used?
Telescopic slides are used in a wide range of sectors, including aerospace, rail, medical, industrial machinery, vehicle fittings, electronic racks and vending machines.
8. Why won’t my drawer open fully?
A drawer that doesn’t extend fully may be mounted on a surface that isn’t flat enough or have misaligned telescopic slides. A good tip: open it several times in quick succession, pulling it out quite sharply. This may be enough to put the rollers back in place. If the problem persists, check carefully that the telescopic slides are level and parallel.
9. Why isn’t the telescopic slide lock working?
If the lock does not engage, this may be due to a minor installation fault. Sometimes, misalignment or a telescopic slide that is too extended prevents the other one from locking. It is also possible that the balls have come out of their cage. In this case, simply reset the system, as shown in our explanatory video:
10. Can telescopic slides be used in high-temperature environments?
Yes, but care must be taken. Standard Chambrelan telescopic slides can withstand temperatures of up to 80°C. For use in a drying oven or in a conventional oven, they can withstand temperatures of up to 250°C, provided that non-metallic parts are removed and a little clearance is left to allow for expansion. These modifications must be carried out by us in the factory. At temperatures of 150°C and above, the zinc surface treatment may deteriorate. It is therefore essential to contact us to find the best solution in such cases.
11. How to install telescopic slides correctly?
To ensure that the telescopic slide works properly, there are a few simple rules to follow: use all the fixing points, install the telescopic slides so that they are perfectly parallel, and make sure the brackets are completely flat. If opening or closing is difficult, this may be due to incorrect installation, which will shorten the product’s lifespan.
12. Can the extension length of telescopic slides be adjusted?
At Chambrelan, it is possible to vary the extension of a telescopic slide to suit your needs. Depending on the model (2, 3 or 4 sections), the opening can be up to 150% of the closed length. You can also adjust this travel by changing the length of the ball bearing track.
13. What surface treatments protect Chambrelan telescopic slides from corrosion?
To withstand humidity, dust and other harsh conditions, Chambrelan telescopic slides are treated against corrosion during manufacture. The choice of treatment depends on the material, but also on the environment in which they are used.
Standard treatment depending on the type of telescopic slide:
For more information or technical advice, please contact us.
- Steel: white zinc, resistant to 400 hours of salt spray.
- Aluminium: colourless anodising, protection for up to 250 hours.
- Stainless steel: pickling and passivation for a clean, protected surface.
- Black zinc: 200 hours of salt spray resistance
- High-performance zinc: up to 600 hours.
- Zinc-nickel: 1,000 hours of resistance, ideal for corrosive environments.
- Carbonitriding: makes the telescopic slides harder (up to 35 HRC) and more resistant to vibrations and intensive cycles.
- Black anodising for an aesthetic finish,
- Hard anodising (48 HRC) for greater robustness.
- Electrolytic polishing: improves the appearance and protection of surfaces.
Treatment Material |
Steel |
Aluminium |
Stainless steel (304L or 316L) |
Standard |
|||
| ZNJ : White Zinc 450 h S.S. | OAI : Colourless Anodic Oxidation 250 h S.S. | Scouring & passivation | |
Options |
|||
Aspect |
|||
| ZNN : Black Zinc 250 h S.S. | OAN : Black Anodic Oxidation | Electrolytic Polishing | |
S.S. resistance |
|||
| ZNA : High strength zinc 600 h S.S. | |||
| ZNK : Nickel Zinc 1000 h S.S. | |||
Hardness |
|||
| NIT : Carbo-Nitriding hardness of 35 HRC | OAD : Hard anodic oxidation hardness of 48 HRC | ||
14. What is the temperature range within which telescopic slides can operate?
Standard telescopic slides can operate between -40 °C and +60 °C.
Outside this range, certain components, such as the grease or materials, may need to be adapted to ensure proper operation. Please do not hesitate to contact the Chambrelan experts when placing your order.
15. Why choose reinforced telescopic slides?
Reinforced slides are designed to better withstand torsional forces.
They are ideal when:
- loads are heavy
- the installation is subject to mechanical stress
- or when the telescopic slides are mounted flat
16. What do the load ratings shown in the technical tables mean?
These load ratings indicate the maximum weight that a pair of telescopic slides mounted on their side can support when fully extended.
But please note: if you mount the telescopic slides flat, their load capacity is reduced by around 40%.
17. What is the maximum speed at which Chambrelan telescopic slides can be used?
Telescopic slides are designed to operate at speeds of up to 0.3 metres per second.
Any faster than that and things might get a bit too hot… so it’s best to stay within this limit to ensure everything runs smoothly.
18. What should you do if telescopic slides are used in a dirty environment?
Chambrelan telescopic slides are not fitted with protection against dust or splashes.
As a result, if dirt builds up in the guide rails, this can quickly lead to problems such as seizing, jamming or premature wear.
The best approach is to plan ahead from the design stage:
- by installing the telescopic slides in a protected location,
- or by adding a suitable protection system.
19. Do Chambrelan telescopic slides need regular maintenance?
Bearing slides maintenance:
Under normal circumstances, they do not require much maintenance. The telescopic slides are ready for use, having been pre-lubricated at the factory with a grease suitable for the material:- lithium grease for steel telescopic slides,
- food-grade white grease for aluminium or stainless steel versions.
- Keep the balls and raceways clean and well-lubricated,
- Clean the telescopic slides without dismantling them, using a cloth (or a degreaser if necessary),
- Apply a generous amount of grease using a brush or an aerosol can,
- Move the slide back and forth a few times to distribute the grease evenly over the balls
Overview table of greases used:
| Low temperature | Standard | High temperature | |
| Steel slides | MALUB GV2 (-50°C à +130°C) | MALUB (-20°C à +140°C) | JELT high temp (-20°C à +1200°C) |
| Aluminium slides | JELT food & clean room compatible (-20°C à +140°C) | N/A | |
| Stainless steel slides | JELT high temp (-20°C à +1200°C) |
20. What is the maximum length for a guide rail?
Generally speaking, the length is around 3 to 4 metres. However, if you need a longer rail, we can join the sections end-to-end, with a straight or angled cut to ensure a perfect fit. You will need to arrange delivery yourself for rails 3 metres or longer.
21. How can you work out how far the runner can travel along the rail?
The distance travelled by the runner is equal to:
the total length of the rail – the length of the runner – the space taken up by the end stops.
22. Are the guide rails supplied pre-drilled?
Not necessarily. Drilling is optional, so the choice is yours. You can request standard drilling (as shown on the technical data sheet) or custom drilling, with the centre-to-centre distance and number of holes tailored to your project.
23. How do I know whether to use short or long runners?
It mainly comes down to the load:
- If you have a heavy load, opt for long runners,
- and for a lighter load, use short runners.
24. Can we use the transport stops as end stops?
No, that is not what they are for. The transport stops are only there to prevent the runners from coming out during delivery.
If you need proper end stops, please specify this when placing your order.
25. Do you always need two runners per rail?
In most cases, two runners are enough to support the load. However, if the surrounding structure isn’t rigid enough or if you want greater stability, there’s nothing to stop you adding more.
26. How can you be sure you’re ordering the right linear guide rail?
To order the right rail, simply check:
- The rail’s part number
- The length you need
- The type of runner
- The number of runners per rail
27. Why is my drawer difficult to open or close?
A drawer that is difficult to operate often indicates an installation issue. Test each telescopic runner separately, then check that the brackets are level and that the runners are installed parallel to one another. A small adjustment can make all the difference.
