DC Auto-Motion

Expanding the Product Lineup to Meet the Diversifying Needs of the Market: Noteworthy Products Appearing at JIMTOF

Admin Cloudfusion — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 03:54:09 +0000

THK will exhibit at JIMTOF 2022 (the 31st Japan International Machine Tool Fair) for six days beginning November 8 at Tokyo Big Sight, where the expo is being held in person for the first time in four years. The company will use this opportunity to expand the mainstay LM Guide and ball screw lineup to meet the diversifying needs of the market.

Model SDA-V

The Model SDA-V is a precision ball screw that boasts a lineup of 107 different products, made up of screw shaft diameter sizes ø10 through ø50 and leads from 4 mm to 50 mm. The nut shape is compliant with ISO, DIN, and JIS standards, and it enables high-speed feeding. Achieving a maximum rotational speed of 5,000 min-1 and a 30% smaller outer diameter than previous models (comparing the thickest part of the outer diameter), this product answers the market need for high-speed and compact equipment.

The lineup has been expanded with the additional shaft diameter sizes ø20, ø32, ø38, and ø40, as well as lead sizes 6 mm, 8 mm, and 15 mm. In this way, THK is quickly standardizing the models in demand by customers to meet a wide variety of needs.

Model HDR

The Model HDR is an LM Guide that features a distinctive back-to-back configuration (DB structure) for the ball raceway. This product can receive a large moment load (rolling direction load) with just a single LM Guide, and it demonstrates virtually identical performance when used in a variety of orientations, such as wall-mounted, inverted, or vertical, as it does when used horizontally. The external dimensions conform to world-standard dimensions (ISO standards), and for the LM block, standard, long, and short types are available.

The new addition to the lineup is a short block with a shorter longitudinal length, which has been requested by many customers, that is lightweight and supports long strokes.

Cover Stamper Model WPC-ST

The Cover Stamper Model WPC-ST is a specialized tool that offers a revolutionary and simple method to install the plate cover that prevents foreign debris on the top surface of the LM rail from entering the interior of the LM block. Until now, the LM block would have to be removed temporarily from the LM rail to install the plate cover, but by using the Model WPC-ST, the plate cover can now be installed easily without removing the LM block.

This product is compatible with two models: the LM Guide Model HDR (all sizes 15 to 65) and the roller type LM Guide Model SRG (25 to 65). Both roll plate covers and set plate covers are supported. Videos are available on the THK official YouTube channel for product details and the plate cover installation procedure using the Model WPC-ST.

THK contributes to the compactness, high rigidity, and high-speed performance of a wide range of equipment, from general industrial machinery to precision machinery and high-precision machine tools.

Note) This information was originally released in Japanese on October 26, 2022

Miniature Ball Screw Product Lineup Expanded: 21 Small-Diameter Models (under ø16)

Admin Cloudfusion — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 03:37:33 +0000

21 Small-Diameter Models (under ø16) Standardized in Anticipation of Growth in Demand

THK has expanded its miniature ball screw lineup, which is expected to experience increased demand for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, electronic component mounting machines, and medical equipment, and has increased the number of variations available as standard catalog products.

Miniature ball screw is a general term that refers to small-diameter size ball screws with a shaft diameter of ø16 and below. They have traditionally been used in a wide range of applications for small equipment, possessing features that can only be obtained from miniature products.

Recently, the environment surrounding the ball screw has changed significantly. Particularly for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, electronic component mounting machines, and medical equipment, demand is expected to grow greatly for small-diameter ball screws, and there are many requests for standardization.

To meet the needs of its customers, THK is adding five screw shaft diameters (ø6, ø8, ø10, ø12, and ø14) and nine lead sizes (1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 8 mm, and 10 mm) to the lineup as standard catalog products, creating a total of 21 models through screw shaft diameter and lead combinations.

THK contributes to the performance of a wide range of equipment, from general industrial machinery to precision machinery and compact, high-precision machine tools.

Lineup

Expanded Standard Catalog Products

Model	Screw shaft diameter	Lead
Model MBF (positioning)	Added to lineup: ø6, ø8, ø10, ø12Standard catalog products: ø4 mm to ø14 mm	Added to lineup: 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mmStandard catalog products: 1 mm to 5 mm
Model BLK (positioning)	Added to lineup: ø8 Standard catalog products: ø8 mm to ø50 mm	Added to lineup: 8 mm Standard catalog products: 10 mm to 50 mm
Model MTF (transport)	Added to lineup: ø8, ø10, ø14 Standard catalog products: ø6 mm to ø14 mm	Added to lineup: 1 mm, 2 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm Standard catalog products: 1 mm to 5 mm
Model BLK (transport)	Added to lineup: ø8, ø10 Standard catalog products: ø8 mm to ø50 mm	Added to lineup: 8 mm, 10 mm Standard catalog products: 8 mm to 50 mm

The lineup is being expanded by adding standard options for screw shaft diameters and leads that have been previously manufactured as ordered products.

Note) This information was originally released in Japanese on April 13, 2022

Lineup Expanded with High-Performance, Noan-magnetic, and Extremely Corrosion-Resistant Products for Special Environments That Simultaneously Achieve the Required Performance of Linear and Rotary Motion Guides, Non-Magnetic Properties, and Superior Corrosion Resistance

Admin Cloudfusion — Sat, 25 May 2024 13:48:24 +0000

THK CO., LTD. (President and CEO: Akihiro Teramachi, referred to as THK below) has expanded its lineup with high-performance, non-magnetic, and extremely corrosion resistant products that provide linear and rotary motion guide performance in special environments with strong magnetic fields and corrosive chemicals that rivals performance in standard environments.

These high-performance, non-magnetic, and extremely corrosion resistant linear and rotary motion guides are composed of the special alloy THK-NM1, which has superior non-magnetic properties that make it almost completely resistant to magnetization, as well as high hardness suited to use in bearings. This alloy makes it possible to create non-magnetic products with superior load capacities that are nearly equivalent to those of existing linear and rotary motion guides. Moreover, it demonstrates extremely high corrosion resistance even in environments with corrosive chemicals.

Semiconductor manufacturing involves many processes in special environments. Some of these, such as electron beam lithography systems that draw extremely minute circuit patterns and photolithography processes that use photoresists, occupy a technological field extremely averse to magnetism that also requires the utmost corrosion resistance against special chemicals.

Products that feature non-magnetic properties and corrosion resistance have been widely used for the special environments of cutting-edge technology. In recent years, however, operational performance in environments with strong magnetic fields and corrosive chemicals has increasingly been stringently tested and evaluated against performance in standard environments, and there have been strong calls from the semiconductor manufacturing industry and others for niche general-purpose products that bring together non-magnetic properties, high precision, and high corrosion resistance. With that being the case, THK started developing this new product to satisfy the needs of customers.

THK began by increasing its lineup with high-performance, non-magnetic, and extremely corrosion-resistant versions of its representative products, the LM Guide, ball screws, ball splines, and cross-roller rings, thereby achieving the non-magnetic properties, high precision, and high corrosion resistance that were previously challenging to achieve. In particular, using the special alloy THK-NM1 creates an ideal amount of elastic deformation on ball contact surfaces compared to general hard ceramic materials, which makes it possible to apply a preload. Additionally, of all special materials appropriate for use in bearings, this alloy resists magnetism and enables smooth motion without any clearance. The excellent resistance these products have to corrosive chemicals and their ability to achieve highly precise operations support the rapid advancement of technology recently seen in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.

With unflagging technological aptitude, THK contributes to the ongoing technological revolution by proposing high-speed, high-precision products with smaller footprints and longer service lives to the semiconductor manufacturing industry leading the way into next-generation technologies.

Features

Superior non-magnetic properties

With a relative permeability of less than 1.005, THK-NM1 offers superior non-magnetic properties that make it almost completely resistant to magnetization and is optimal for use in strong magnetic fields or in devices that control charged particles.

Excellent load capacity

Possessing the hardness required for use in bearings, THK-NM1 represents a vast improvement in load capacity compared to conventional special materials like stainless steel, non-magnetic austenitic steel, titanium, and ceramic.

Smooth, highly precise motion

THK-NM1 gives linear and rotary motion guides sufficient elasticity to allow for the application of a preload, enabling smooth motion without clearance.

Extremely high corrosion resistance

With its extremely high corrosion resistance, THK-NM1 helps to maintain equipment function even in environments with highly corrosive chemicals.

THE FOUR BENEFITS OF CAGED BALL LM (LINEAR MOTION) GUIDES

Admin Cloudfusion — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 19:58:01 +0000

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.

1. QUIET OPERATION THAT MINIMISES METAL CONTACT

Traditionally ball bearings in their initial stage of development were not caged, resulting in high noise levels, short service life and lack of performance at high rotating speeds.

The Caged Ball LM Guide boasts a long service life and superior high-speed performance in the same manner as roller bearings, while reducing the maintenance needed.

2. ORDERLY BALL MOVEMENT

The standard LM Guides consists of four rows of balls that recirculate within the LM block onto the LM rail with ball-to-ball contact whilst running on the raceways of a particular LM Rail. This results in a shortage of grease life, therefore, shortening the service life.

Caged Ball LM Guides consist of four rows of balls that recirculate within the LM block, onto the LM rail with no ball-to-ball contact whilst running on the raceways of a particular LM Rail. Hence Caged Ball technology.

The Caged Ball technology has the benefit of an absence of collision noise between the balls for quiet operation. Furthermore, an orderly ball movement with accurate alignment of balls as well as stable movement due to the elimination of sudden variations in friction.

3. ORIGINAL CAGE STRUCTURE EXHIBITING EXCELLENT HIGH-SPEED PERFORMANCE

A cage structure results in high-speed performance as the use of balls eliminates heat generation caused by friction.

4. GREASE HOLDING STRUCTURE (CONSECUTIVE GREASE POCKETS) FOR LONG-TERM, MAINTENANCE-FREE OPERATION, LONG SERVICE LIFE

Grease holding structures (consecutive grease pockets) constantly provide lubrication to ensure long-term, maintenance-free operation and a long service life.

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

Admin Cloudfusion — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 09:51:22 +0000

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 serial number, located at the top of the block, is usually mistaken for the model number.

The model number however is located on the side of the LM Block (opposite the ground reference surface section on the one side of the LM Block) with THK’s distinctive logo on the left followed by the model type on the right.

TO ACCURATELY IDENTIFY THK’S PRODUCT MODELS, RESELLERS HAVE TO TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING:

M Value [the dimension from the bottom of the rail to the top of the block]

W Value [the dimensional width of the block

L Value [the dimensional length of the block

B (width) [the dimensional bolt hole pitch in line with the width of the LM Block)

C (length) [the dimensional bolt hole pitch in line with the length of the LM Block]

S Value [the bolt value]

K Value [the dimensional height of the LM Block]

Using these values will guarantee the correct identification of your LM Guide model series and ensure that your supplier delivers the accurate product as needed.