THK, the leader in linear motion guide technology continues to lead the way in development of products that provide anti-friction motion and high performance. Over the years, THK has perfected the linear motion guides, ball screws, actuators, cross roller bearings, rod ends and link balls, with their innovative ideas of patented ball contact and re-circulation. Providing not only a far advanced product technically, but offering ease of installation and low machining cost requirements, to assemble the product onto your systems. Over the last six years, THK has been concentrating on providing the THK LM systems with ecologically friendly features and maintenance free products. THK introduced the CAGE BALL DESIGN, QZ LUBRICATION SYSTEM, LAMINATED CONTACT SCRAPER SEAL & RAIL COVER.

The Cage ball design has revolutionized the linear guide industry with its introduction. Single piece retainer guiding all balls simultaneously, from loading to unloading zone. The balls are separated from each other with a grease pocket in between. This provides the feature similar to the ball bearing industry, with a product that is quiet, smooth in motion, lubricated for life (over 30,000km with load) and no contamination developed internally, since the balls are not hitting each other while re-circulating. High speeds over 5G’s are not a problem! What an invention! Competition is scrambling to offer products that would be able to perform similar, but unable to. Spacers between balls do not serve the purpose that the cage ball design with a single retainer with pockets for balls and grease in between. Spacers between balls or rollers is twenty (20) year old technology and NOT the answer. THK has been offering spacers between rollers for their cross roller bearings for over twenty years.

THK QZ lubrication system fits on the LM Guide block and ball screw nut as a replacement for automatic lubrication systems. It maintains oil films on the block end seals and ensures that raceways remain lubricated. It has been developed with extensive research and development, with scientific evaluation of lubrication flow amounts required to all essential parts. Similar technology as a felt tip pen, where no ink is released till the pen is moved, for QZ no lubrication is released onto the felt tips in contact with ball raceways till the linear block is stroked. QZ has been tested for over 70,000km of travel. It is refillable when needed to be replenished. THK LaSc laminated contact scraper was introduced as a seal that keeps contamination out and lubrication inside the block. It has a line contact on the rail surface and sides and wipes the surface. Tested with powder size contamination and coolant and no contamination were found inside the blocks. Laminating plates are impregnated with a lubricant to reduce drag. THK also offers double seals, side seals, inner seals, metal scrapers (for large hot metal chips). What a concept, laminating material to effectively seal.

THK rail cover fits on the top rail surface to allow a flat surface with no mounting holes exposed to dust and contamination. With these features and options, one can offer a ‘state of the art’ machine that is maintenance free and superior performance. THK’s patented two- point circular arch groove design with face to face angular contact cannot be matched. It is “Magic” how the balls have the ability to self-adjust internally to mis-alignments and pre-load. It does not affect the rolling resistance because of this ball contact. THK’s know-how and technology with heat-treating and surface coatings provide an overall system that guarantees reliable service and unmatched durability.