THK's linear motion systems help provide the guidance that makes this precision and speed possible. Many components that make up in-machine tools are made by existing machinery that produces machine parts for the new machine. Whether small or large or light or heavy, the manufacturing precision of parts produced by machine tools is accelerating at a rapid pace. 

Machining Centers

The leading player among cutting machines is the machining center. Highly accurate and rigid, Caged Ball LM Guides and Ball Screws are used for the table that must position the workpiece accurately and quickly, as well as the driving mechanism that moves cutting tools. The Cross-Roller Rings are used for the rotary table that is required to move in a smooth rotary motion.

Milling Machines

LM Guides and Ball Screws that can operate without wasted movement are used in milling machine guidance systems. Although the machining centers and other CNC lathes are mainstream in the manufacture of mass-produced products, milling machines are still used at the cutting edge of manufacturing production for high-precision products.

CNC Lathes

With their high rigidity and accuracy, LM Guides and Ball Screws are essential to the movement of the lathe's tool post with a very compact design, they can contribute to the miniaturization of equipment.

Plano Millers 

In large milling machines, like Plano millers, the use of rigid LM Guides allows the table to smoothly move large parts to be machined with a high level of accuracy.

CNC Hobbing Machines

Sliding guides have traditionally been used for hobbing machines that produce gears for motion and power transfer, but piping design and lubrication management has been difficult. Using LM Guides and Ball Screws together with lubrication options, you can reduce system design work and assembly steps while lengthening the system maintenance requirement cycle.

Surface Grinding Machines

Until recently, hydraulic cylinders were used to feed the tables of surface grinding machines. But now that Ball Screws and servo systems are used for table feeding, this can be done with more accuracy at higher speeds, improving productivity. A machine operating with Ball Screws does not require any hydraulic system, making the machine cleaner and reducing any negative impact on the environment.

Products Used - 

  • Linear Motion Guide (LM Guide) - our main product, incorporating a part with a linear rolling motion into practical usage for the first time in the world.
  • Ball Screw - a high-efficiency feed screw with the ball, making a rolling motion between the screw axis and the nut. 
  • Ball Spline - a rolling guide spline bearing. 
  • Cross-Roller Ring - a roller bearing with high rotation accuracy capable of bearing loads in every direction. 
  • Lubrication accessories - An assortment of lubrication-associated products are available to maintain sufficient lubrication of machines.