In roller slides, rollers which are placed alternately crisscrossed to each other, are used as rolling elements. Hardened, precision ground and flattened rods are used as guide ways. The rollers are encased in a nylon cage. A line contact is maintained between guide ways and rollers throughout the travel range, achieving perfect rolling motion. Load capacity is increased at least 10 fold as a result of line contact of rollers compared to ball slides using equal diameter balls.
Co-efficient of friction in roller slides is 0.004, when preloaded. This is almost double that of ball slides of similar size. Where load capacity is more important than a friction, roller slides are preferable.