Learn why, at SYIL, we trust THK linear motion systems.
A linear motion guide is vital to any cutting or machine tool. It supports the motion of applications by ensuring that machine tool or cutting tool elements move along premeditated paths.
A linear guide is responsible for cutting or machine tools' straight, smooth, and level linear motion. Such flawless linear motion delivers high accuracy and precision in machining applications.
All linear guides consist of a block or a sliding carriage, ball bearings, and rail systems. The sliding carriage or block supports the load and moves along the LM guide rail. On the other hand, the ball bearings enhance frictionless movement. The resultant motion accurately moves a machine table along its X, Y, and Z axes.
With so many companies now manufacturing LM guides, deciding on the best one can be an uphill undertaking. However, THK linear motion systems stand out from the pack. The reputable Japanese company is a leading manufacturer of high-quality guideways. Their products deliver high precision, high speeds, maximum energy-saving capabilities, longevity, and rigidity.
At SYIL, we use THK linear motion guides on our CNC products for the following reasons:
1. Robust Bearing Capacity and Rigidity
One of the most crucial decisions you will make when choosing a linear motion guide is its ability to sustain robust load-bearing capabilities. This feature determines the value and performance of your machine. Thus, a sound system should be able to handle considerably high loads.
And as you would expect, THK products have a robust load-bearing capacity. They feature a large contact area between the rail and the ball bearings, giving them excellent load-bearing ratings.
The raceway grooves on the rail have a nearly the same radius as the ball-bearing radius. This maximises load-bearing. It also features a unique R-groove contact structure that can take up 13 times higher loads than an ordinary surface contact structure.
Besides higher permissible loads, THK products offer higher rigidity and longer service life. The R-grove contact structure reduces elastic deformation and, in turn, maximises firmness.
2. Limited Probability of Wear And Tear
The wear and tear of a linear motion guide determines its lifespan. The essential machining component will flake away on the surfaces of the bearing balls and the rays. The flaking happens until the machine is no longer able to function flawlessly.
A linear motion system's flaking or wear and tear can often occur due to its natural life defects over time. It can also happen due to misalignment, poor assembly, insufficient or inconsistent lubrication, uneven surfaces, or water or foreign body intrusion.
You can help keep THK linear guide rail guide rails from wear and tear by taking the necessary precautions for maintenance and use. Notably, keep it free from water that could lead to corrosion. Of course, periodic lubrication and maintaining the system free from intrusion will help keep off wear and tear.
Besides, the THK ensures that the system aligns properly during assembly and lies perfectly on the mounting surface. There are no indentations, which makes THK a good choice for guideways. With very low wear and tear, you do not need to recondition the sliding surfaces of your guides. Also, you only need periodic replenishing of your grease or lubricant. Lack of reconditioning and inadequate lubrication will remarkably cut down your maintenance costs.
3. Effectively Reduces Friction and Consumes a Small Amount of Energy
THK linear guides operate on ball bearings smoothly moving over a raceway. This concept, commonly known as the rolling bearing linearisation, enables high precision and less friction around contact points. The rolling elements recirculate during counter-guide movements that occur in the raceway.
This system is popular among many linear guide manufacturers, and THK is no exception. It makes your CNC machine easy to assemble and easy to maintain. And with good maintenance and proper assembly, energy consumption goes down considerably. And who would not want to save on energy costs in this challenging economy?
These characteristics make CNC machines with LM guides ideal for various applications, including custom knife making.
4. High-Speed Movements to Reduce the Drive Power
THK linear motion guides have remarkably low friction resistance. This implies that the speeds are competitively faster, enabling a high turnaround time when fabricating components, tools, or parts. In turn, this boosts your productivity.
Also, power, as a function of velocity and force, plays an essential role in the performance and productivity of LM guides. And on this, you will find it difficult to fault any THK guideways. They feature smooth surfaces with no unnecessary indentations. They also feature low friction resistance, implying little drive power is wasted during operation.
This translates to reduced power transmission and source mechanism requirements. The low friction resistance and smooth moving components reduce the driving torque and the much-needed power. Independent studies indicate that THK linear guide systems can reduce drive power by up to 80%. It also improves work efficiency from 20 per cent to 30 per cent.
5. THK Linear Motion Systems High Positioning Precision
Finally, accuracy and precision also play an important role in choosing your linear motion guide and a CNC machine. It determines repeatability and your ability to consistently produce identical parts, components, or products. Interestingly, THK linear guides do not come short on this. Thanks to their perfect alignment and manufacturing.
Precision or accuracy, a term in recirculating ball bearing guides, designates up to five characteristics. Of course, this will be regardless of other specifications such as preload, mounting configuration, and size of the LM guide system.
The five aspects include height tolerance between the carriage and the rail assembly, permissible height difference between various blacks on each rail, and width tolerance of the block and rail assembly. Others are the acceptable width difference between various blocks on the same rail and the existing parallelism between the block and rail reference edges. THK guides meet all these specifications.
The travel accuracy and the mounting configuration of the rails and ball bearings also determine precision. For THK guides, the company ensures perfect mounting and rolling mechanisms. Thus, there is minimal difference between static and dynamic friction, which hardly leads to loss of motion.
Conclusion
Choosing the best linear motion guide becomes even harder if you do not know what features to consider. However, at SYIL, we trust THK linear motion systems, which we use on our CNC machines. They have a robust load-bearing capacity and rigidity, high precision, high speeds, and low drive power requirements. Besides, they feature low friction resistance and wear and tear resistance, extending their longevity.
All these are qualities that our CNC machines possess. Please take a look at our CNC machine pricing and free quotes.
