Linear motion technology evolves to extremes
A
THK UK product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Apr 21, 2006
The focus of THK's R and D programme is to evolve a new generation of linear motion technology that can be used both in the most extreme operating conditions.
THK, the leading global designer, developer and manufacturer of linear motion solutions, has announced the latest results from its ongoing programme of research and development into linear motion technology.
In particular, the company has expanded still further the parameters within which linear guides and actuators can be used, with prototype systems that can resist a range of temperatures and vacuum conditions that are considerably higher than anything previously achieved.
The focus of THK's R and D programme is to evolve a new generation of linear motion technology that can be used both in the most extreme operating conditions, such as in the offshore and defence industries, and in mainstream manufacturing and process applications in order to make dramatic improvements in reliability as well as reduce operating costs.
The new prototype systems incorporate a range of new and unique properties and capabilities, including the ability to operate reliably at vacuum pressures down to 10e-3Pa or at sustained temperatures in excess of 200C.
These properties have been achieved by the use of the latest high performance steels and alloys, specially developed vacuum greases, with minimal emission characteristics and perflouroelastomer seals that are capable of withstanding both chemical attack and extreme environmental conditions.
To improve functionality and reliability still further, many of the prototypes feature THK's ground breaking Caged Ball technology, which eliminates the problems of noise, friction, particle emission and wear associated with conventional ball race configurations, by enclosing high precision steel balls within a separator cage, with controlled density grease pockets surrounding each ball.
This effectively prevents contact between the balls during operation, leading to significant improvements in both overall performance and operating life, and to quieter, cleaner, smoother and higher precision movement, with a far longer service life than traditional ball raceways.
Perhaps most importantly, THK's Caged Ball technology enables linear motion systems both to be used in a far wider range of applications, and to become fit and forget products, enabling machine builders and end users to benefit from considerable cost savings, in terms of both labour and materials.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Google Ads
Contact THK UK
Related Stories
- Gast Group - latest company news
- Haydonkerk Motion Solutions latest company news
- Hepcomotion reports strong growth in 2008
- Pilz provides free maintenance to customers
- LG Motion wins local business awards
Browse by category
-
Capital Equipment (3,523)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (540)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,133)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (477)
- Production line blowers and fans (74)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (975)
- Consultancy and Services (924)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,128)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (817)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (190)
- Control and Instrumentation (3)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (296)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (203)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,203)
- Plantwide control (1,353)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (575)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (392)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,438)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (2)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,290)
- Industrial Motors (502)
- Linear Drives and Motors (121)
- Precision Motors and Gears (430)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,091)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,307)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (583)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (717)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (649)
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (3)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (375)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (722)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (430)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (828)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,369)
- 2D CAD software (203)
- 3D CAD software (1,194)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (583)
- Data, document management software (322)
- Electrical design software (167)
- Engineering Design Software (17)
- FEA and structural analysis software (377)
- File conversion software, data capture (358)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (339)
- Materials design and moulding design software (152)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (325)
- PLM and collaboration software (664)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (269)
- Publishing and documentation software (234)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (207)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (958)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,212)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Conferences (438)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (850)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (577)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (366)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (636)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Seminars (418)
- Engineering Training Courses (458)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (180)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (285)
- Health and Safety Legislation (403)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (115)
- Machine Building (4,622)
-
Materials and Processing (3,035)
- Materials and components (2,267)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials processing and testing (292)
- Rapid Prototyping (471)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,655)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (490)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (505)
- Data loggers (427)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (643)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (762)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (449)
- Materials testing equipment (431)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (158)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (520)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,269)
-
Powertrain Design (3,713)
- Bearings (984)
- Chains and belts (333)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,476)
- Hydraulic Components (475)
- Lubricants (441)
- Powertrain Design (3)
-
Sensors (7,289)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (449)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (644)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (290)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (158)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (538)
- Linear Position Sensors (415)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (730)
- Pressure sensors (640)
- Proximity Sensors (715)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (563)
- Sensors (11)
- Temperature sensors (622)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,411)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (2,047)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,726)
