PG50 100×50 mm Six Slot Aluminium Strut Profile Rectangular Machine Beam

OEM / ODM Available Free Sample Available ISO 9001:2015 EN 755-9 RoHS REACH

A 100 x 50 mm six slot PG50 aluminium strut profile with slots on all four faces, 6.8 x 6.8 mm M8 corner holes and a Ø12 mm M14 centre bore. A machine beam that carries a load and mounts the fittings.

Wholesale Price $9.60 - $15.20 / m per m
Material Aluminium
Alloy Grade 6063-T5
Temper T5
Section Size 100 x 50 mm
Slot 6 x 10.2 mm groove, 8 mm mouth, 50 mm pitch on the 100 mm faces
Length 6 m stock, cut to drawing to +/-0.5 mm
Tolerance EN 755-9 / GB/T 6892, wall +/-0.15 mm
Surface Mill finish / clear anodised / black anodised
MOQ 150
Lead Time 22-32 days after deposit for mill finish
Loading Port Shanghai / Ningbo
Supply Ability 200 t per month
Payment Terms T/T 30% deposit + 70% before shipment | L/C at sight
Trade Terms FOB | CIF | EXW
Certifications ISO 9001:2015 | EN 755-9 | RoHS | REACH
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Structural framing · PG50 machine beam

A PG50 100 x 50 mm six slot aluminium strut profile is a rectangular machine beam on a 50 mm slot pitch with a 10.2 mm groove and an 8 mm slot mouth. It carries two slots on each 100 mm face, 50 mm apart, one slot in the middle of each 50 mm face, 6.8 x 6.8 mm corner holes tapped M8 and a Ø12 mm centre bore tapped M14. The flange is 6 mm and the web 13 mm, and the section weighs about 5.4 kg/m. It is supplied in 6063-T5, cut and drilled to order.

The six slots are the point of the section. A machine beam is usually asked to do two jobs at once: carry a load along its length, and provide somewhere to fix the rail, the cable chain, the sensors and the guards. A two-slot beam can do the first job well and the second one badly, because everything has to land on the same two faces. Six slots on four faces let both jobs happen on the same member.

Cross-section drawing of a 100x50 mm six slot PG50 aluminium strut profile showing two slots on each wide face, one slot in the middle of each narrow face and 6.8x6.8 mm M8 corner holes
100 x 50 six slot section: two slots on each 100 mm face, one slot centred on each 50 mm face, and 6.8 x 6.8 mm corner holes tapped M8.

Where the six slots are

The count is not spread evenly, and the distribution is what makes the section useful. Both 100 mm faces get two slots on a 50 mm pitch. Each 50 mm face gets a single slot on its centreline. That is six in total, on four faces.

FaceSlotsSpacingTypical use
100 mm face, topTwo50 mm apartLinear rail, deck plate, mounting rail
100 mm face, bottomTwo50 mm apartCross members, feet, brackets, guard fixings
50 mm face, leftOneCentredCable chain, sensors, end stops, gussets
50 mm face, rightOneCentredCable chain, sensors, end stops, gussets

The narrow faces are the ones the two-slot beam does not have. A beam with slots only on its two wide faces forces every bracket, sensor and guard fixing onto the top or the bottom, where they compete with the rail and the cross members. The two side slots are what keeps those fixings out of the way.

Six slots against two

There is a two slot heavy version of this envelope in the range, and it is a good section — for a different job. The distinction is functional rather than structural: one is a load-bearing beam, the other is a machine beam.

Two slot heavy 100 x 50 mmSix slot 100 x 50 mm
SlotsTwo, one on each 100 mm faceSix, on all four faces
Faces with slotsTwoFour
Weightapprox. 6.20 kg/mapprox. 5.40 kg/m
Second moment, flatapprox. 50 cm4approx. 64 cm4
Second moment, on edgeapprox. 150 cm4approx. 201 cm4
Designed forCarrying a load along its lengthCarrying a load and mounting several fittings
Weak point if misusedNowhere to fix accessoriesMore slots means more edges to protect on anodised parts

If the beam only has to carry something, the two slot heavy version is the honest answer and there is no reason to pay for four more slots. The moment the beam also has to mount a rail, a chain, two sensors and a guard, the six slot version stops being a convenience and starts being the cheaper option, because it removes brackets rather than adding them.

Which way round it goes

Like any flat rectangular section, this one has two very different second moments. Laid flat with the 100 mm face up it has about 64 cm4; stood on edge it has about 201 cm4.

That creates a choice about the rail. Flat, the beam is a convenient table surface but a soft one. On edge it is three times stiffer, and the rail then goes on the 50 mm face, which has only one slot and is the least useful mounting face. In practice most machine beams are used flat, because the stiffness is adequate for the span and the two wide faces are worth more than the stiffness.

Use it flat for machine tablesTwo slots on the top face take the deck or a rail; the bottom face takes the cross members and the feet.
Use the side slots for the moving partsCable chain, drag chain anchors, limit switches and end stops all belong on the 50 mm faces, where they do not interfere with the rail.
Use the M14 bore for the end connectionThe centre bore is the strongest fixing in the section and it is where the beam joins its support.
Check the span if it is flatAt about 64 cm4 flat, a long span with a real load will deflect. On edge it is about 201 cm4, which is three times better.

Laying out a machine beam

  1. Put the rail on the top 100 mm face Two slots at 50 mm apart give the rail room and let it be adjusted along the beam without drilling.
  2. Put the cable chain on a 50 mm face The side slot is at mid height, which is where a chain or a drag anchor wants to run. It keeps the chain out of the rail’s working envelope.
  3. Put the sensors on the opposite 50 mm face Proximity switches and end stops on the far side stay clear of the chain and the operator.
  4. Keep the bottom face for structure Cross members, feet and gussets belong underneath. Leave the top face for the things that have to move.
  5. Bolt the ends through the M14 bore The end connection is the one that carries the beam’s load into the frame. Use the centre bore, not a slot.
  6. Plan the anodising Six slots means more edges. If the beam is anodised, say so at the ordering stage so the cut ends and any tapped holes are treated consistently.

Frequently asked questions

How is this different from the two slot heavy version?

Slot count and purpose. The two slot heavy version carries a load along its length; this one carries a load and also mounts a rail, a cable chain, sensors and guards on the same member.

Where are the six slots?

Two on each 100 mm face, 50 mm apart, and one in the middle of each 50 mm face.

Should I use it flat or on edge?

Flat for a machine table, where the two wide faces are worth more than the stiffness. On edge if it spans a long distance with a real load — about 201 cm4 against about 64 cm4.

Does it take 40 series slot nuts?

Yes. The groove is 10.2 mm and the mouth is 8 mm, the same as the 40 series, so standard M8 slot nuts fit.

What are the corner holes for?

They are 6.8 x 6.8 mm, tapped M8, and they take the end plates and the cross connections. The Ø12 mm centre bore is tapped M14 and takes the structural end bolt.

Can you drill the rail mounting holes?

Yes. Send DWG, DXF, STEP or PDF with the rail hole positions and the cut list, and we return the members cut, drilled and tapped to drawing.

Send the rail layout and the fittings list

Tell us what goes on the beam — rail, chain, sensors, guards — and where the load is. We will confirm the slot layout and the orientation, and quote cut lengths with the rail holes and the end connection machined to your drawing.

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