Choosing the right telescopic slide for your application can be challenging — the wrong choice leads to premature failure, safety risks and costly replacements. This guide covers everything you need to know: load capacity, material, extension type and mounting options.
1. Start With Load Capacity
Load capacity is the most critical factor. Always calculate the maximum load your slide will carry — then choose a slide rated for at least 25% more than that figure.
FEDS telescopic slides are available in the following load capacity ranges:
- Light duty: 80 – 150 kg — suitable for cabinet drawers, equipment panels
- Medium duty: 150 – 400 kg — suitable for machine tool drawers, vehicle storage
- Heavy duty: 400 – 750 kg — suitable for industrial equipment, truck drawers
- Extra heavy duty: 750 – 1060 kg — suitable for military, offshore, heavy machinery
Important: load capacity is always specified per pair of slides. Always mount slides in pairs for balanced load distribution.
2. Choose the Right Material
The operating environment determines which material is best for your application.
Steel C45 E+C
The most popular choice for industrial applications. High strength, cost-effective, bright zinc-plated for basic corrosion protection. Ideal for indoor use, machinery, vehicles and general industrial applications.
Stainless Steel 316L
Essential for corrosive environments. Fully resistant to moisture, chemicals and salt. Required for food processing, marine, pharmaceutical and chemical industry applications.
Duplex Stainless Steel
The strongest corrosion-resistant option. Combines high mechanical strength with excellent corrosion resistance. Ideal for offshore, subsea and highly aggressive chemical environments.
Aluminium EN-AW 6082 T6
Lightweight and corrosion resistant. Best choice when weight reduction is critical, such as in aerospace, automotive and mobile equipment applications.
3. Select the Extension Type
The extension type defines how far the slide extends relative to its closed length.
Partial Extension
The drawer extends approximately 75% of the slide length. Suitable when full access to the drawer is not required. More compact and rigid than full extension slides.
Full Extension
The drawer extends 100% of the slide length, providing complete access to the drawer contents. The most common choice for industrial and commercial applications.
Super Extension
The drawer extends beyond 100% of the slide length (typically 115–130%). Ideal when maximum reach is required in a limited space, such as in server racks, medical equipment and vehicle storage systems.
Bidirectional
The drawer can be pulled out from both sides. Used in workbenches, laboratory furniture and applications requiring access from multiple directions.
4. Consider Mounting and Installation Length
Telescopic slides are available in a wide range of installation lengths, typically from 150 mm to 1500 mm. When selecting the installation length:
- Measure the depth of the cabinet or housing
- The slide installation length should match the available mounting depth
- Allow at least 5 mm clearance on each side for smooth operation
- For heavy loads, use additional mounting points along the slide length
FEDS slides are available with side-mount and bottom-mount configurations. Use the product filter on our website to find slides by installation length, extension length and load capacity.
5. Quick Selection Guide
| Application | Recommended Material | Extension Type | Load Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial machinery | Steel C45 | Full extension | 150 – 750 kg |
| Food processing | Stainless Steel 316L | Full extension | 80 – 400 kg |
| Truck & transport | Steel C45 | Super extension | 400 – 1060 kg |
| Marine & offshore | Duplex Stainless | Full extension | 150 – 750 kg |
| Laboratory equipment | Stainless Steel 316L | Bidirectional | 80 – 300 kg |
| Mobile & aerospace | Aluminium | Full extension | 80 – 300 kg |
| Military equipment | Steel C45 / Duplex | Super extension | 400 – 1060 kg |
Need Help Choosing?
Not sure which slide is right for your application? Our engineering team is ready to help. Contact FEDS with your load requirements, environment and installation dimensions — we will recommend the best solution or engineer a custom slide for your specific needs.
Browse our full range of telescopic slides or download our product catalog for complete technical specifications.