Lateral guide

Chain conveyor system VarioFlow plus

Lateral guides for the Bosch Rexroth VarioFlow plus system guide workpiece pallets and conveyed goods laterally on the chain track, preventing transverse deviations. Core components are side guide profiles (17x17.5 mm, L=3 m, Art. 3842529850), guide rods (D12H9, 6x3000 mm, Art. 3842533841), profile rails VF/VFS and slide strips VF/VFS. Clamping heads in two variants (25x30x25 mm and 29x30x16 mm) and GN300-45-M6 clamping levers position guide elements precisely with tool-free adjustment.

⚙ Side guide profile 17x17.5, L=3 m - Art. 3842529850, base profile for lateral pallet guidance

⬡ Guide rod D12H9, 6x3000 mm - Art. 3842533841, precision rod for guide mounts

✦ Clamping heads 25x30x25 and 29x30x16 - Art. 3842528009/3842536295, clamp-on mounts for guide rods

✓ Clamping levers GN300-45-M6-40 and -25 - Art. 3842528539/3842528540, tool-free quick adjustment of guide position

📦 Spacer plate 30x30x5 - Art. 3842527738, distance element for mounting on strut profile

⚡ Slide strip VF/VFS and end cap - Art. 3842538209/3842538208, low-wear sliding guide with end cap

Side guide profiles are used on all conveyor runs where workpiece pallets must be guided precisely, for example ahead of stop units, on curves or at transfer points. Clamping heads and levers allow tool-free width adjustment of the guide for different pallet widths. Guide rods (D12H9) are available in 3 m lengths and can be cut on site. Slide strips VF/VFS reduce friction between guide and pallet.

Typical applications: Lateral guidance of workpiece pallets on straight VarioFlow plus runs and curve sections, alignment ahead of stop and positioning units, transfer points between parallel runs, and narrow-track guidance systems for small workpiece pallets in 65+ and 90+ conveyor systems.

What are Bosch Rexroth VarioFlow Plus lateral guides and where are they primarily used in industrial applications?

Bosch Rexroth VarioFlow Plus lateral guides (Seitenführung) are precision positioning components that constrain workpiece movement along chain conveyor systems, ensuring accurate material flow in automated production lines. These systems are extensively deployed in automotive assembly, electronics manufacturing, pharmaceutical packaging, and general industrial automation where precise part positioning is critical. The lateral guide system includes sectional rails like the 17x17.5mm profile (part 3842529850) and adjustable guide units (part 3842547707) that accommodate varying product dimensions during transport.

What are the key technical selection criteria for VarioFlow Plus lateral guide components with specific dimensional parameters?

VarioFlow Plus lateral guide selection depends on conveyed product dimensions, rail profile requirements, and adjustability range specifications. Standard sectional rails include 17x17.5mm profiles in 3000mm lengths (part 3842529850), D12 diameter tubes in 3000mm sections (part 3842533841), and D18 tubes (part 3842539339) for different load capacities. The lateral guide adjusting unit (part 3842547707) provides fine positioning control, while specialized variants like narrow ESD slide rails (part 3842539340) address electrostatic discharge requirements in sensitive manufacturing environments.

Which international standards and certifications apply to Bosch Rexroth VarioFlow Plus lateral guide systems?

Bosch Rexroth VarioFlow Plus lateral guides comply with ISO 9001 quality management standards and DIN 8580 manufacturing process classifications for precision mechanical components. The system components meet EN 1088 safety requirements for interlocking devices associated with guards, ensuring operator protection during automated conveyor operation. ESD-specific variants like the narrow ESD slide rail (part 3842539340) conform to IEC 61340 electrostatic discharge control standards, critical for electronics assembly and semiconductor handling applications where static discharge prevention is mandatory.

What are the main differences between sectional rail variants in the VarioFlow Plus lateral guide product range?

VarioFlow Plus lateral guides offer distinct rail profiles optimized for different applications: the standard 17x17.5mm sectional rail (part 3842529850) provides general-purpose guidance, while the aluminum sectional rail (part 3842538829) offers reduced weight for high-speed applications. The HDPE sectional rail (part 3842538388) delivers chemical resistance and low friction characteristics, and the narrow slide rail (part 3842538209) enables compact installations with limited lateral space. Specialized variants include the high slide rail (part 3842538389) for elevated product clearance and ESD-rated options for static-sensitive manufacturing processes.

What are the installation requirements and system compatibility specifications for VarioFlow Plus lateral guides?

VarioFlow Plus lateral guides integrate with existing Bosch Rexroth aluminum profile systems through standardized mounting kits (part 3842547718) and outer profile connectors (part 3842539613) that ensure rigid mechanical attachment. Installation requires holder sets such as the L204 configuration (part 3842539494) and L134 variant (part 3842539495) for different conveyor widths and load requirements. The modular design accommodates 3000mm standard rail lengths with field-customizable sectioning, while the lateral guide adjusting unit provides ±25mm positioning range for product changeover flexibility without system reconfiguration.

What are the operating temperature range and environmental specifications for Bosch Rexroth VarioFlow Plus lateral guide systems?

Bosch Rexroth VarioFlow Plus lateral guides operate reliably within -10°C to +60°C ambient temperature range, with aluminum profiles maintaining dimensional stability across thermal cycling conditions. The HDPE sectional rail variant (part 3842538388) extends chemical compatibility to pH 2-12 environments while maintaining mechanical properties at temperatures up to +80°C. Standard components achieve IP54 protection rating against dust ingress and water spray, while ESD variants like the narrow ESD slide rail (part 3842539340) maintain surface resistance values between 10^6 to 10^9 ohms per IEC 61340-5-1 requirements.

What maintenance schedule and service life expectations apply to VarioFlow Plus lateral guide components?

VarioFlow Plus lateral guides require quarterly inspection of rail alignment and wear patterns, with annual replacement of sliding contact surfaces under continuous operation at 2m/s conveyor speeds. Aluminum sectional rails (part 3842538829) typically achieve 8-10 year service life in standard industrial environments, while HDPE variants may require replacement every 5-7 years depending on chemical exposure and operating temperature. The lateral guide adjusting unit (part 3842547707) incorporates maintenance-free linear bearings rated for 500,000 adjustment cycles, with lubrication points accessible during scheduled 6-month preventive maintenance intervals.

Lateral guide

Technical features

Selection criteria

Typical applications