Hi!

I’m working on a compact linear slide mechanism for a handheld inspection tool. The carriage rides between two vertical guide rails and has to remain laterally constrained while still moving smoothly along the axis. The lateral clearance is only about 0.5 mm per side, and the environment involves frequent handling and occasional shock loads.

I’m trying to figure out the most reliable way to get both low-friction movement and minimal lateral play, without using bulky linear bearings. At this scale, is there a preferred approach, like small-diameter side rollers, polymer wear strips, or interference-fit guide blocks, that balances smooth travel with side-load resistance?