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How to identify THK’s model type and part number series of the LM (Linear Motion) Guide

Many bearing resellers have the common problem of identifying THK’s model number of a particular LM (Linear Motion) Guide System from the product’s model number.

The four benefits of Caged Ball LM (Linear Motion) Guides

The world leader in Linear Motion (LM) technology, THK Co. Ltd Japan, also supplies its LM Guide with Caged Ball Technology, which provides significant performance improvement over conventional products.

New cost effective guides - more guide for your buck

THK has now introduced its cost-effective LM guides onto the market.

Unique linear guide solutions for industry

Significant advantages of the THK SHW Caged Ball LM Guides

THK's SHW wide, low centre of gravity type caged ball LM guides set the new benchmark for LM guides due to its four-way equal load, self-adjustment capability and low dust generation.

Six significant benefits of THK's Precision Ball Splines

Leading innovation in Ball Spline technology, THK offers a novel linear motion system to the market, in which the ball bearings in the spline nut transmit torque while moving linearly on precision-ground raceways on the spline shaft.

Understanding LM Guide model number coding

THK's SHS model LM Guide features a four- way equal load design allows the LM Guides to be used in all orientations. An efficient guide to understanding LM Guide model number coding.

Circular-Arc Contact Groove vs Gothic-Arc Groove

THK's LM Guides utilizes an ideal four raceway, circular-arc groove, two point contact structure which results in a self- adjusting capability that is unique to THK's LM Guides. LM Guide The material stress for the LM Guide load is reduced and the total load capacity is increased resulting in circular arc contact. Due to this, the use of raceways with a ball bearing which is slightly smaller than the base results in a larger contact patch, which spreads the load over a large area. The LM Block is able to absorb light distortion of the mounting surface. This is due to the elastic deformation of the ball bearings and the contacts point moving to ensure smooth, unforced motion. A resilient mounting base with high rigidity and accuracy for machinery such as a conveyance system is removed. Gothic-Arc Design Ball bearings with a gothic-arc design has a high differential slip which creates a change from rolling to sliding under load conditions, high friction, a short service life, low long-time accuracy, a higher energy consumption and a lighter preload. The gothic-arc groove is void of a self-adjust capability. It prevents deformed elasticity and moving contact points as each ball contacts the groove at four points. Therefore, absorption of a slight mounting surface distortion or a rail bed accuracy error is not possible. A smooth motion is also not possible. Therefore, a higher rigidity mounting base has to be machined and a high precision rail needs to be mounted.

Why frictionless Caged Ball technology is superior

The Caged Ball LM Guide uses ball cages to remove friction between the evenly spaced ball bearings to improve torque characteristics significantly, while circulating.

The DC Auto-Motion guide to THK’s Miniature SRS LM Guides

THK offers its innovative range of miniature LM Guides with Caged Ball technology which have significant benefits of low dust generation and anti-corrosion.

The six categories of THK of LM Guide seals for the market (Part 1)

Standard THK Seal & Metal Scraper The end seal on the LM Guide is used in locations that are exposed to dust particles.

The six categories of THK of LM Guide seals for the market (Part 2)

4. Made to order Light-Resistance Contact Seal (LiCS) - Applicable to SVR + SVS models LiCS is a light sliding resistance contact seal that effectively removes dust on the raceway and retains lubricants such as grease, while achieving extremely low drag and smooth, stable motion. LiCS uses a light-resistance material in its sealing element. It achieves a low drag resistance when contacting the LM rail raceway due to oil-impregnated, expanded synthetic rubber. LiCS is suited to applications where low drag resistance is required, such as semiconductor-related devices, inspection devices and OA equipment.

Important precautions to take when using your LM Guide (Part 1)

Handling your LM Guide LM guides are generally associated with heavy items of 20kg or more. It is recommended that two or more people, or moving equipment, is used when moving heavy items, or injury or product damage is likely to occur.

Precautions on using options for your LM Guide

QZ Lubricator for the LM Guide QZ is a lubricating device that is designed to feed a minimum amount of oil to the raceway. Ensure a stroke that is longer than the overall LM block is secured, with QZ lubricator attached. Do not drop or strike the product as it could cause injury or product damage.

Methods of protection for your LM Guide (Part 1*)

THK offers a range of contamination protection methods for the optimal performance of your LM Guide.

Methods of protection for your LM Guide (Part 2*)

Steel tapes are a form of contamination protection for machine tools. The steel tape significantly increases sealability when the LM rail mounting holes are covered with an ultra-thin stainless steel plate. The increased sealability also prevents the penetration of a coolant or cutting chips from the top face of the LM rail.

World first in LM Guide innovation

As part of its commitment to quality products and customer satisfaction, DC Auto-Motion presents the world’s longest LM Guide Rail from world renowned components manufacturer THK.

Superior Roller Telescopic slides TLR, TLRX (Part 1)

The unique TLR slides are the only telescopic slides system in the world that has a self-aligning property that cushions parallelism errors of mounting surfaces when used in pairs.

TLR Roller Telescopic slides’ extension and self-aligning capacity (Part 2)

The innovative TLR slides ensure an extension that is equal to the closed slide, as well as a small constant. The motion of the intermediate element and the lower rail creates the extension, while the upper rail is fixed to the structure.

THK LM Bushings provide accurate straight motion for applications

THK’s superior LM Linear Bushing creates total straight motion when used with a cylindrical LM shaft.

THK offers most innovative Rolled Ball Screw

THK’s innovative and affordable Rolled Ball Screws are feed screws that use a screw shaft which is rolled with high-accuracy and specially surface-ground. This is unlike the thread-ground shaft which is used in the Precision Ball Screws.