There are various types of full extension drawer slides. Each one has its pros and cons and can be applied to the customer’s needs. Some are of simple design and merely use a single wheel while others are far more sophisticated.
Different Types of Drawer Slides
Each one of the different types of slides have various applications.
Below are the most common types:
- Ball Bearing Drawer Slides
- Soft Close Ball Bearing Drawer Slides
- Under Mount Drawer Slides
- Side Mount Drawer Slides
- Center Mount Drawer Slides
- Roller Slides
A full extension drawer slide is a telescopic mechanism that allows motion along one axis. They can be found in a wide range of industrial applications and household products. While the slides come in six variations, there are just two types. The two different types are as follows:
- Roller Slides
- Ball-Bearing Slides
Roller Slides
There are two components to each roller slide. The first is the kitchen drawer slide member and the second the cabinet member. The cabinet member is mounted to the stationary component. The drawer member is installed on the drawer. Each roller is fitted into the groove found on the opposing member’s mechanism. Each roller will be at the opposite end of the mechanism when it is fully extended. This means the cabinet member’s roller will be at the front when the drawer’s roller is at the back.
When the mechanism is extended, the cabinet’s roller allows the drawer member to move outward from the cabinet. The roller of the drawer member follows the grove of the cabinet member. When the drawer is fully opened, the members will meet. This design gives the mechanism horizontal stability.
Roller drawer slides are most commonly used in desk drawers and kitchen cabinet drawers. Due to their design, they are not to be used in any other configuration other than horizontal.
Ball-Bearing Slides
This type of slide does not use rollers, but rather ball bearings. They are comprised of three pieces:
- Drawer Member
- Intermediate Member
- Cabinet Member
As expected, the cabinet member is attached to the grounded component just as roller slides are. The drawer member attaches to the moving drawer component. The intermediate member provides an interface with two sets of ball bearings. The first set interfaces with the cabinet member while the second set interfaces with the drawer member.
When the mechanism extends, the first component to move is the drawer member. It slides over the ball bearings between itself and the intermediate member. Just like with the roller design, when the drawer is extended, it provides horizontal stability.
Other Types of Drawer Slides
- Under Mount Drawer Slides
- Side Mount Drawer Slides
- Center Mount Drawer Slides
The above types are the same, only differing by where the slide is mounted. Call a drawer slide supplier to determine which type is needed for your applications.
Final Thoughts
When choosing the appropriate type of drawer slide, there are a few things to consider. Reach out to us, Norther America’s top supplier of heavy duty drawer slides to find out how to appropriate choose the right drawer for your application. Reach out to us today for more information.
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