Motion Solutions for Packaging Applications
Linear and rotary products for optimal packaging machine
performance in all operating environments.

www.thomsonlinear.com

Helping You Build a Better
Packaging Machine
Often the ideal design solution is not about finding the fastest, sturdiest, mostaccurate or even the least expensive option. Rather, the ideal solution is theoptimal balance of performance, life and cost. Thomson is best positioned tohelp packaging industry machine builders quickly configure the optimal linear
motion solution for each application.
The right technology for each job. Frequently the same machinefunction can be achieved in different ways. Thomson owns
the broadest offering of mechanical motion technologies in theindustry. We offer unbiased counsel on the optimal choice foreach application.
The optimal form, fit and function. Thomson offers the broadestcollection of standard products. Modified versions of standard
products are routine. White paper solutions are available
across the entire portfolio. Special needs can be addressed. For
example, many Thomson products offer stainless steel and otherprotective options for food/beverage, wash down, particulate andcorrosive environments.

Unmatched application expertise. Choose Thomson and gain
access to over 70 years of global application and problem-solving
experience across many industries.
More competitive packaging machines. Thomson is available
early in the design process to help optimize machine performance,life and cost. Then enjoy peace of mind during the production lifeof your machine as we provide the quality components, predictable
costs and on-time delivery to keep your business running smoothly.
Thomson is the name you can trust for power transmission andlinear motion technologies. Call us today to discuss your next
application or any of our 2,000+ distribution partners around theworld for fast delivery of replacement parts.

PICK-AND-PLACE / PALLETIZING
Illustrated here are just a few of the many ways that Thomsonadds value to packaging machines. For example, this four-axis
pick-and-place robot could be used for palletizing and loading.
Thomson linear components and pre-assembled linear
systems can be configured into small and large multi-axis
motion solutions.

Ball Screw / Linear Guides /Gearhead & Brake
On the vertical axis, a Thomson rolled ballscrew driven linear system with Thomson
RoundRail linear guides is matched with ourMicron gearbox and Deltran power-off brake.

Gearheads / Servo Motors

Ball Screw

Micron True Planetary Gearheads arecoupled with Kollmorgen servo motors
on three axes here and in the following
applications. A Kollmorgen direct drive
rotary servo motor powers the base.

A Thomson profile rail linear guide carries
the load and adds stiffness to the horizontal
axis with an end-supported ball screw drive.

LABEL PRINTING / SCANNING
Accuracy, high speed and flexibility can be achieved with modest
mechanical engineering effort when Thomson is your partner. Our
vast breadth of standard motion control components and decadesof application experience make your job easy.
Simple engineering achieves optimal performance with Thomson.

Linear Systems
Here, a three-axis gantry robot is assembled from a
combination of four Thomson pre-assembled linear
systems with linear guide and ball screw components
along a conveyor belt transporting boxes of varying size.
A vision recognition system identifies the boxes so thatprinting (or scanning) can be done while they remain
in motion.

www.thomsonlinear.com

STRETCH WRAPPING
Simple, high-quality machines can be built fromstandard components providing long life, virtually
maintenance-free. Thomson owns multiple linear
motion technologies capable of accomplishing
the same task and unbiased support to help dialin the optimal balance of performance, life andtotal cost.

Motion Systems
Unmatched quality, low maintenanceand scalable cost are illustrated in singleaxis motion systems like this stretchwrapping application.

Speed up the design process and fine-tune
your machine with help from Thomson.

CARTON PACKINGIf you are building your own production line or manufacturingmachines for resale, Thomson is uniquely positioned to help you
get the job done right the first time.
Carton packing applications, for example, may have special
needs best met with a combination of standard and customized
mechanical components. At Thomson, modified versions ofstandard product are routine. White sheet design solutions areavailable across the entire product portfolio.
The optimum form, fit and function for your machine
is not to be found at competitors with limited productlines and bargain-basement parts.

Pre-Assembled and Modified Systemsand Components
Here, the most efficient and cost-effective solution involves
a thoughtful combination of pre-assembled Thomson linear
systems, separate linear guide and ball screw components,
Deltran clutches and brakes, Micron gearheads and aslightly modified electric linear actuator.

PET BOTTLE MANUFACTURING
Choose Thomson as a partner and work side-by sidewith the inventor and longtime owner of multiple
mechanical motion technologies. Leverage decadesof application experience on six continents to help
build your next machine.
Two carriages are mechanically synchronized tooptimize pick-and-place workflow while the rodlesselectric actuator performs the molding.
Give Thomson a call to discuss the full range of options
to optimize performance and control costs.

Rodless Actuator
Here we illustrate how a Thomson rodless electric
actuator can make the more commonly used hydrauliccylinder obsolete, providing better control, higher speed,
simpler design, less energy consumption
and a more environmentally friendly solution.

FILLINGThe right mix of linear motion components enables thisfilling machine the flexibility to handle a wide range oftasks with minimal changeover.
Work with Thomson early in the design process,then enjoy peace of mind during the production lifeof your machine as we provide quality components,
predictable costs and on-time delivery to keep
your business running smoothly.

Linear Systems
A two-axis gantry robot moves a tool with nozzles thatfill each row of the pallet. Fully enclosed linear systems
keep contaminants out of the mechanisms and also
eliminate risk of contaminating the filling process.

www.thomsonlinear.com

Thomson Understands the Packaging Industry.
We are deeply experienced with the critical motion-control challengesof the packaging industry, and we have developed quality products andsolutions to address them. For example, our Micron gearheads can beordered in 100 percent stainless steel and with food-grade lubrication
Many Thomson products feature special coatings and other protective
options for use in wash-down, particulate and corrosive environments.

OPTIONAL
Stainless Steel Protection
Wash-Down or/and Chemical Protection
Customization

PROFILE RAIL
With sizes ranging from our ultra
compact 5 mm MicroGuide™
to the robust 55 mm 500 Seriesroller, as well as compliancy
ranging from our self-aligning
T-Series (transport profile rail)to the extremely rigid, machinetool-grade roller profile rail,Thomson is your one-stop source
for all profile rail.

ROUNDRAIL LINEAR GUIDES& COMPONENTS
While shafts may appear thesame, there are significant
performance differences dueto the manufacturer’s selected
standards and the manufacturing
processes used to achieve them.
Combine Thomson’s unique design
advantages with our tremendouson-hand stock, you will have thetools to deliver the difference.

LEAD AND BALL SCREWS
Thomson lead screws are the“just right” solution for manylinear positioning applications,and the patented zero-backlash
nut technology provides excellent
repeatability with high stiffnessand extremely low drag torque.
For the more demanding applications,
we offer the most completeline of industrial ball screws in
the industry. Our broad productoffering and years of application
expertise allow us to provide theright solution to meet your uniqueapplication requirements.

LINEAR ACTUATORS
Our linear actuators are designed
for rugged, reliable linear motion
applications. Numerous choices instroke, load, motor type, feedback,limits and control options makethese linear actuators veryversatile. Talk to us about themany advantages of using electriclinear actuators in place ofhydraulics or pneumatics. And if
you can’t find the actuator to meetyour application needs, call us foran actuator built to your needs.
We build more custom actuators
than anyone in the world.

The Broadest Line of Rotary and Linear Motion Components for Optimized Life,Performance and Cost.
Thomson is linear motion optimized. We own the broadest standard product offering of mechanicalmotion technologies in the industry. We routinely and confidently provide modified versions of standard
products. And white-sheet design solutions are available across our entire product portfolio.
Thomson invented anti-friction linear technology over 70 years ago and has led the industry eversince. The Thomson brand is recognized and trusted as the global leader in linear motion technology.
Turn to us for your packaging motion needs.

CLUTCHES AND BRAKESGEARHEADSOur brake and clutch products
are working in a wide rangeof applications specific to thefood and beverage packagingindustries. These products setthe solid foundation for the broad
range of standard and custom
products currently available toour customers.

Planetary gearheads are usedon high-precision motion control
applications that require a hightorque-to-volume ratio, hightorsional stiffness and low
backlash. Thomson offers theseprecision planetary gearheads
for all duty cycles, and all with
RediMount compliant mounting
systems. Web-based sizing,
selection, pricing and 3D modelsof Micron gearheads are availableat www.micronmotioneering.com.

PRECISION LINEARACTUATORSThe compact design and higher
load capacities of our precisionlinear actuators make them ideal
for flexible integration in tightareas. These programmable
precision linear actuators areavailable in a wide range ofvoltage, thrust, stroke and mounting
configurations. Designed forhigh-speed, high-load, continuousoperation. Stroke up to 2 m (6.5 ft),load up to 40 kN (9,000 lb)
and speed up to 2 m/s (6.5 ft/s).

LINEAR MOTION SYSTEMS
Our linear motion systems canbe used virtually anywhere.
They can support and move arange of loads and provide highprecision and tight tolerances.
Pre-engineered, pre-assembled,
ready to install, our systems
support loads with ball guides,
slide guides or wheel guides.
Actuation with either ball screw,
lead screw or belt drive. oursystems support 2D or 3D
move profiles with multi-axis
configurations. Web-based
sizing, selection, pricing and
3D models of Thomson linear
systems are available atwww.linearmotioneering.com.

www.thomsonlinear.com

USA, CANADA and MEXICO
Thomson
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
EUROPE
United Kingdom
ThomsonFishleigh Road
Barnstaple
EX31 3UD, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)1271 334 500
Fax: +44 (0)1271 334 501
E-mail: sales.uk@thomsonlinear.com
GermanyThomsonNürtinger Straße 70
72649 Wolfschlugen, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 7022 504 100
Fax: +49 (0) 7022 504 405
E-Mail: sales.wolfschlugen@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
Italy
ThomsonLargo Brughetti
I-20030 Bovisio Masciago, Italy
Phone: +39 0362 594260
Fax: +39 0362 594263
E-mail: info@thomsonlinear.itFranceThomsonC.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

www.thomsonlinear.com
200905-01 PDF SYM 12/2010 USA
Specifications 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. 2011

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
ASIA
China
ThomsonRoom 2205, Scitech Tower
No 22 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing100004,
China
Phone: +86 400 666 1802
Fax: +86 10 6515 0263
Email: sales.china@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 PacificThomson
Unit 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
Korea
ThomsonF7 Ilsong Bldg, 157-37
Samsung-dong, Kangnam-gu,Seoul, Korea (135-090)
Phone: +82 2 6917 5049
Fax: +82 2 528 1456
E-mail: sales.korea@thomsonliear.com

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