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What is a low-waving linear motion guide?

THK Super-Low-Waving LM Guide. [Credit: Image courtesy of THK]

 

 

If you are having a problem with your linear guides not always staying perfectly straight during use, it may be due to a phenomenon called waving.

Waving happens when the relative positions of the linear motion (LM) block and balls change due to the rolling of the interior balls (rolling elements) as the LM block moves on the LM rail, which affects straightness. Particularly in high-precision machinery, waving must be reduced as much as possible.

Thankfully, THK has an answer.

THK's Super-Low-Waving Caged Ball LM Guide is a linear motion guide with ISO-compliant dimensions that demonstrates best-in-class, super-low waving. The guide's engineers achieved this by adopting an eight-row structure and small-diameter balls. This contributes to improved measurement accuracy, positioning accuracy, and machined surface quality, making it possible to address fields that require nanometer-level motion precision.

THK Super-Low-Waving LM Guide features eight rows of raceways and small-diameter balls. [Credit: Image courtesy of THK]

 

 

Even with its eight-row structure, this LM Guide achieves globally standard ISO-compliant dimensions. The Model SPH comes in four sizes (25, 30, 35, and 45), and a lineup of six block types is available.

This product adopts ball cages, which are a core piece of THK technology that has been cultivated over many years. Use of a ball cage that retains balls as they recirculate eliminates friction between balls and increases grease retention to achieve smooth motion, long service life, and long-term, maintenance-free operation.

THK Super-Low-Waving LM Guide Vertical direct/Straightness B/Measurement results. [Credit: Image courtesy of THK]

 

 

THK's conventional Super-Low-Waving LM Guide Model SPR/SPS was limited in application to guide sections of some equipment due to the use of proprietary THK dimensions, but the Super-Low-Waving Caged Ball LM Guide Model SPH has dimensions that conform to ISO standards (globally standard dimensions) and can replace existing products.

In addition, the four-way equal load enables use in any orientation, making this product even more suitable for customers in the high-precision market -- not only in semiconductor and LCD equipment-related applications, but also in machine tools.

See https://www.thk.com/?q=us/node/5197 for basic info on the Caged Ball LM Guide Models SPR/SPS. If you are interested in the Model SPH expanded available size ranges mentioned in this article, please contact your local THK dealer (Chicago branch) through this link https://www.thk.com/jp/en/company/overseas_base/. Model SPH is so new that THK does not have a dedicated product page for it yet.

Source: THK

Published December 2024

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