Mechanical Motion Solutions.
Manufacturing the optimal balance of performance, life and cost for over 60 years.

www.thomsonlinear.com

Thomson Linear Motion. Optimized.

Linear Motion. Optimized.

Often the ideal design solution is not about finding the fastest, sturdiest, most accurate or even the least expensive option.
Rather, the ideal solution is the optimal balance of performance, life and cost.
Thomson is best positioned to help you most quickly configure the optimal linear motion solution for your application.
• Thomson invented anti-friction linear bearing technology. We own the broadest standard product offering of mechanicalmotion technologies in the industry.
• Modified versions of standard product are routine. White sheet design solutions available across our entire portfolio.
• Choose Thomson and gain access to over 70 years of global application experience in diverse industries including
packaging, factory automation, material handling, medical, clean energy, printing, automotive, machine tool, aerospaceand defense.
• As part of Danaher Corporation, we are financially strong and unique in our ability to bring together control, drive,motor, power transmission and precision linear motion technologies.

Thomson is the name you can trust for quality, innovation, on-time delivery, controlled costs, andreduced risk.
In addition to the information contained in this document, a wealth of product and application information is available onlineat www.thomsonlinear.com. Also online are downloadable 3D models, software tools, our distributor locator and global
contact information for Thomson. For immediate assistance in North America contact us at 1-540-633-3549 or email us atthomson@thomsonlinear.com.
Talk to us early in the design process to see how Thomson can help identify the optimal balance of performance, life andcost for your next application. And, call us or any of our 2000+ distribution partners around the world for fast delivery ofreplacement parts.

The Danaher Business System Building sustainable competitive advantage into your business
The Danaher Business System (DBS) was established to increase the value we bring to customers. It is a mature and successful
set of tools we use daily to continually improve manufacturing operations and product development processes. DBS is basedon the principles of Kaizen which continuously and aggressively eliminate waste in every aspect of our business. DBS
focuses the entire organization on achieving breakthrough results that create competitive advantages in quality, delivery andperformance – advantages that are passed on to you. Through these advantages Thomson is able to provide you faster times
to market as well as unsurpassed product selection, service, reliability and productivity.

Local Support Around the Globe
Application Centers Global Manufacturing Operations Global Design & Engineering Centers

Application Centers

Global Manufacturing Operations

Global Design & Engineering Centers

Mechanical Motion Solutions

Thomson – the name you can trust
Thomson invented anti-friction linear technology over
60 years ago and has continued to lead the industry
ever since. The Thomson brand is recognized andtrusted as the global leader in linear motion technology.
Since 2002 when Thomson was acquired by Danaher
Corporation, our product range has grown significantly.
Our family of linear and mechanical motion products
also includes BSA, Neff, Tollo, Micron, Deltran andCleveland - all now part of Thomson.

PackagingLinear Motion. Optimized.

MedicalWith a world-wide service and support infrastructure,Thomson field service engineers and support teams
are available to assist whenever they are needed. The
broadest product offering and unbiased technology
expertise enable us to bring you the optimal balanceof performance, life and cost. That’s why design
engineers turn most often to Thomson products to meettheir motion control requirements.

Mobile-Off-Highway

From standard products to “white paper” designs, wehave the expertise and manufacturing capabilities tooptimize the balance between performance and cost to
suit your specific application. Our engineered, customdesigns for proprietary equipment set us apart in theindustry.

Military and Defense
www.thomsonlinear.com

3Linear Ball Bushing® Bearings and 60 Case® LinearRace ShaftingThomson invented the ball bushing bearing over 60 years
ago and has since been the recognized leader in this field.
Our linear products provide low friction, smooth, accurate,straight-line motion. Offering the widest range of bearings andaccessories, we easily satisfy the widest range of requirements with the best performing product for the application.
RoundRail™ Linear Ball Bushing Bearings• Most extensive product offering in the industry• Cutting-edge segmented technology• Over 60 years of product innovation & unparalleled service
60 Case LinearRace Shafting• 60 Case LinearRaceShafting service life extends asmuch as 50% over the competition, when used withThomson Ball Bushing Bearings• Available in a number of proprietary materials and coatings• Diameters from 1/8 to 4 inches and 5 to 80 mm• Lengths to 25 feet (7.6 m)• Custom machining capabilities – drive shafts, spindles,
guide rods, rolls, etc.

Profile Rail Linear Guides
We are a “one-stop shop” for all your profile rail needs andoffer the ultra-lightweight T-Series, the compact stainlesssteel MicroGuide, the ultra-rigid 500 Series Roller and thenew cost-effective Profile Rail 400 Series.
Profile Rail 400 Series:• Metric sizes from 15 to 45 mm in 5 mm increments• Double-faced ball track bearing for simple installation• Load capacity up to 129 kN.
• Up to 30% noise reduction compared to standard ball cages
Profile Rail 500 Series:• Metric sizes ranging form 5 to 65 mm• Load capacities up to 530 kN• Exceptional straightness and high rigidity• High dynamic, static and moment load capacities
4NEW

Profile Rail 400 Series

www.thomsonlinear.com

Mechanical Motion Solutions

Industrial Ball Screws
Thomson offers the most complete line of industrial ballscrews in the industry - offering asemblies in both inch andmetric diameters and leads as well as an extensive selectionof accessories. Our broad product offering combined withyears of application expertise allows us to provide the rightsolution to meet your unique application requirements.
Inch Series Ball Screws:• Diameters from 0.187 to 6.000 inch
• Leads from 0.050 to 2.0 inch
• Precision screw accuracy to +/- 0.004 in/ft• Precision Plus screw accuracy to +/- 0.0005 in/ft
Metric Series Ball Screws:• Diameters from 4 to 160 mm• Leads from 1 to 50 mm• Precision screw accuracy to +/- 23 microns / 300 mm• Precision Plus screw accuracy to +/- 12 microns / 300 mm
Worm Gear Screw Jacks:• Lifting capacities from 1,100 to 110,000 lb (5 kN to 500 kN)• Ball screw or lead screw driven; up to 57% efficiency

Specialty Ball Screws and Components
Thomson specialty ball screw products have been used innuclear power applications for the last 30 years. Thomson isalso a leader in ball screws for aerospace and defense with an
history and expertise stretching from the first ball screw in anaviation application, Boeing B29, to seeker gimbal stabilizationin modern missiles. Our team of engineers leverage our 70+
years of research, including over 100 ball screw technology
patents, in order to meet our customers’ requirements.
• Enhanced features such as load lock safety mechanisms,
lubrication reservoirs, and quiet running return systems
are available• Redundant load systems and patented wiper designs
promote maximum reliability• Certified manufacturing, inspection, and testingprocedures ensure the highest levels of quality
www.thomsonlinear.com

5

Lead Screws
The “just right” solution for many linear positioning
applications, our lead screws are available in standard
and precision grades to meet your requirements.
Patented zero-backlash nut technology provides
excellent repeatability with high stiffness and extremely
low drag torque.
• Polymer anti-backlash nut technology• Precision stainless steel screws, Imperial diameters from0.1875 to 3 inch (5 to 76 mm), Metric diameter from 6 to
24 mm (0.25 to 0.75 inch)• Leads from .01 to 2 inch (0.25 to 50 mm)• Load ratings from 5 to 400 lb (22 to 1,800 N) for polymer nuts
• Lead accuracies to 0.003 in/ft (76 micron/300 mm)

Linear Motion Systems
Linear Motion Systems are the best choice for material
handling and other factory automation applications that
require high speed and/or long stroke capabilities. Modular,self-contained and self-supporting, they are easily assembled into X-Y and gantry configurations.
• Designed for machining, packaging, assembly andmaterial handling applications• Ball screw or belt driven with ball guide, wheel guideand prism guide linear bearing• Speed up to 10 m/s (33 ft/s)• Load up to 40 kN (9,000 lb)• Stroke up to 12 m (39 ft)• Sealing and washdown options are available for harshenvironments• Low maintenance - often available with single point
lubrication

6!

Linear MOTIONEERING
Sizing and Selection Toolwww.linearmotioneering.com

www.thomsonlinear.com

Mechanical Motion Solutions

Positioning Slides
Our positioning slides can be used virtually anywhere.
They can support and move a range of loads and provide
high precision and tight tolerances.
• Pre-engineered, pre-assembled, ready to install• Load bearing support with either RoundRail or ProfileRaillinear guides• Actuation with either ball screw, lead screw or belt drive• Support 2D or 3D move profiles with multi-axis configurations• Loads from 20N to 30 kN (5 to 6,700 lb)• Speeds up to 3 m/s (10 ft/s)• Both inch and metric dimensions• Available with stepper or servo motor and control packages• Complete turnkey systems available• RediMount System allows Thomson slides to be easily
mounted to a variety of motors, not just NEMA standards.

!

Linear MOTIONEERING
Sizing and Selection Toolwww.linearmotioneering.com

Precision Linear Actuators
The compact design and higher load capacities of our precisionlinear actuators make them ideal for flexible integration intight areas. These programmable precision linear actuators
are available in a wide range of voltage, thrust, stroke andmounting configurations.
• Designed for high speed, high load, continuous operation• Stroke up to 2 m (6.5 ft)• Load up to 40 kN (9,000 lb)• Speed up to 2.5 m/s (8 ft/s)• Compact design for small envelope• Available with stepper, servo or DC motor• Controls available for all unit
• Complete turnkey systems available

www.thomsonlinear.com

7

Linear Actuators
Our linear actuators are designed for rugged, reliable linear
motion applications. Numerous choices in stroke, load,
motor type, feedback, limits, and control options make theselinear actuators very versatile.
And if you can’t find the actuator to meet your applicationneeds, call us for an actuator built to your needs. We build
more custom actuators than anyone.
• Strokes from 25 to 1500 mm (1 to 59 inch)• Loads from 110 to 9000 N (25 to 2,000 lb)• Speeds from 5 to 75 mm/s (0.2 to 3 in/s)• Voltages - 12, 24, 36 Vdc and 1 × 230 / 3 × 400 Vac• More power in a smaller envelope• Outdoor and indoor applications, IP67
• Maintenance free
• Holds load with power off• Available with overload clutches, limit switches, feedback and a whole range of other options and features

True Planetary™ Gearheads
We offer a complete line of True Planetary™ gearheads
to complement all of our servo and step motor products.
• UltraTRUE Helical Crowned True Planetary Gearheads,smoothest operating on the market• ValueTRUE Helical Crowned True Planetary Gearhead,High performance at a low cost
• DuraTRUE Planetary Gearheads, ideal alternative tohybrid parallel-shaft spur gearheads• NemaTRUE Planetary Gearheads, optional front faces• EverTRUE continuous duty, higher speeds and lower
temperature• XTRUE Planetary Gearheads, an economical, precision
design• AquaTRUE Planetary Gearheads, stainless steel
housing and output shaft, IP66, 67 or 69K protection

8NEW

AquaTRUE Watertight Gearheadwww.micronmotioneering.com

www.thomsonlinear.com

Mechanical Motion Solutions

Clutches & Brakes
Thomson has over 100 years of experience of manufacturing
quality clutches and brakes. Today, our clutch and brakeproducts are working in a wide range of applications andalmost all types of products.
Wrap Spring Products:• CB Series combination clutch brakes accurately startand stop loads driven by a continuously rotating powersource• Product families include solenoid actuated SAC series,
random start stop DL & MAC series, mechanically actuated
PSI series and other custom engineered packages
Friction Products:• Spring set brakes for static holding and dynamic stopping
are available for a variety of applications• Product families include power on and power off friction,
multiple disc, tooth, spring set, and custom packages.
• Torque ranges from less that 0.1 to over 500 Nm (1 in-lb toover 370 ft-lb)• ISO9000:2001 and AS9100 Certified Bookmark, RoHS
Compliant.

Precision Balls
Our precision balls offer sphericity within 5 millionths of aninch, 100% quality inspection and are guaranteed to meetor exceed the standards of the American Bearing
Manufacturing Association.
• Most complete variety of materials & technologies• Over 27 high performance materials• Ceramic, hollow and specialty balls• ISO9001:2000 registered• A2LA Certified measuring Lab!
www.thomsonlinear.com

Thomson Precision Balls
Product Selector and Online Store
www.thomsonprecisionball.com

9Over 60 Years of Innovation, Quality and Trust in Linear Motion

1940

1950
1945
Thomson invents world‘sfirst anti-friction linear
ball bushing bearing

1936
First ballscrew
application
developed forrecirculatingball steeringsystems

1939
ThomsonSaginaw
produces firstaircraft ballscrew for theB-29 Super
Fortress

1947
Multiple circuitball screws
introduced atSaginaw

1947
Significantlyimproved linear ballbushing bearing
patented

1948
Subminiatureclutches and brakes
are released

1019601951
60 Case LinearRace
shafts developed
as ground inner
raceway for ballbushing bearing

1953
Precision “A”
Bearing invented with
better ball circulation
manufacture.
Still in use today

1955
First re-circulatingball screw introducedon 1955 Chevy

1955
Thomson develops
thread rolling process
for ball screws

1970
1960
Ball screws are
introduced intomachine tools

1962
Roundway bearing
patented, offers 20times greater load
capacity than Ball
Bushing bearings

1965
Thomson Peformance
Pak electromechanicalactuators are developed

1967
The first generationof actuators for use
in garden tractors
and farm equipment
is released

1969
Thomson invents the selfaligning super ball bushing
bearing, which provides up to27X more life andup to 3X greaterload capacity
than Ball Bushing
bearings

www.thomsonlinear.com

Mechanical Motion Solutions

1980
1970
Stainlesssteel rolled leadscrews andSupernut®
introduced

1974
First line ofactuators withparallel motors
and both acme
and ball screw
drive is released

1974
Self-aligning
twin pillow blockis invented

1980
Launchedanti-backlash
Supernut®
products such as
the SNAB, ASAB,
TSAB, and TAB

1990
1981
First Wiesel linear motion
system presented at
Fameta show in Stuttgart

2000
1993
Super Smart Ball Bushing
Bearing is invented.
216x the life or 6x theload capacity of aconventional Bearing
1995
Lightweight titaniumscrew developed forspace flight

1981
Extra-rigid 10X moreaccurate XR ball bushing
bearing patented

1996
Micron develops theRediMount, the mostflexible mounting systemin the world

1997
Micron develops the firsthelical crowned trueplanetary gearhead in theUltraTRUE

1998
Released the XC
advanced anti-backlash
nut with ActiveCAM®
1989
Production starts on
first high volume ABS IV
ball screw at 40,000 units
per day

www.thomsonlinear.com

2004
Gen IV wipers developed
for maximum environmental
conditions
2004
500 Series
introduced

2004
MLSM and MLSH
product line released

2007
The Electrak Pro
actuator line and the
DCG control line arereleased

1982
The Tiger line actuators
are released for OEMs

1987
Electrak 205 and the firstline of MCS controls arereleased

2000
The first LM80 rodlessactuator is released

2007
AKB Series Spring SetBrakes are released
2010
400 Series Linear Guide
introduced
2010
AquaTRUE foodgrade planetary
gearhead series
is released11

USA, CANADA and MEXICOASIAThomson
203A West Rock Road
Radford, VA 24141, USA
Phone: 1-540-633-3549
Fax: 1-540-633-0294
E-mail: thomson@thomsonlinear.com
Literature: literature.thomsonlinear.com

China
ThomsonRoom 2206, Scitech Tower
No 22 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing100004, China
Hotline: +86 400 666 1802
Phone: +86 400 6661802
Fax: +86 10 6515 0263
E-mail : sales.china@thomsonlinear.com

EUROPE
United Kingdom
ThomsonFishleigh RoadBarnstaple
EX31 3UD, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)1271 334 500
Fax: +44 (0)1271 334 501
E-mail: sales.uk@thomsonlinear.com
GermanyThomsonNürtinger Straße 7072649 Wolfschlugen, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 7022 504 0
Fax: +49 (0) 7022 504 405
E-Mail: sales.germany@thomsonlinear.com

Japan
ThomsonMinami-Kaneden 2-12-23, Suita Osaka
564-0044 Japan
Phone: +81-6-6386-8001
Fax: +81-6-6386-5022
E-mail: csjapan@scgap.com
Asia PacificThomsonUnit A, 16 Floor, 169 Electric Road
Manulife Tower, North Point, Hong Kong
Phone: +852 2503 6581
Fax: +852 2571 8585
E-mail: richard.teo@thomsonlinear.com

SwedenThomsonBox 9053
SE-291 09 Kristianstad, Sweden
Phone: +46 (0) 44-24 67 00
Fax: +46 (0) 44-24 40 85
E-mail: sales.scandinavia@thomsonlinear.com

Korea
ThomsonF12 Ilsong Bldg, 157-37
Samsung-dong, Kangnam-gu,Seoul, Korea (135-090)
Phone: +82 2 6917 5049
Fax: +82 2 6917 5007
E-mail:sales.korea@thomsonlinear.com

Italy
ThomsonLargo Brughetti
I-20030 Bovisio Masciago, Italy
Phone: +39 0362 594260
Fax: +39 0362 594263
E-mail: info@thomsonlinear.it

India
ThomsonUnit No 2, SDF 1
Seepz Andheri, Mumbai 400 096, India
Phone: +91 22 28294058
Fax: +91 22 28394036
E-mail: richard.teo@thomsonlinear.com

FranceThomsonC.P. 80018
12, Rue Antoine Becquerel – Z.I. SudF-72026 Le Mans Cedex 2, France
Phone: +33 (0) 243 50 03 30
Fax: +33 (0) 243 50 03 39
E-mail: sales.france@thomsonlinear.com
Spain
ThomsonRbla Badal, 29-31 7th, 1st08014 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 (0) 9329 80278
Fax: +34 (0) 9329 80278
E-mail: josep.estaran@thomsonlinear.com

www.thomsonlinear.com
200801-05 TJ ??? 10/2010 USASpecifications are subject to change without notice. It is the responsibility of the product user to determine the suitability ofthis product for a specific application. All trademarks property of their respective owners. © Thomson Industries, Inc. 2010

Linear Motion. Optimized.