14 Linear Bushing Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for linear bushings as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 14 linear bushing manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
What Is a Linear Bushing?
A linear bushing, also known as a slide bush by some manufacturers, is a rolling bearing that facilitates linear motion on a shaft using the rolling motion of built-in balls.
This rolling motion, achieved with minimal friction due to the point contact between the balls and the shaft, allows for smooth movement of the bushing with little force.
Linear bushings, lacking propulsive force on their own, are often paired with mechanisms like cylinders, timing belts, and ball screws to facilitate movement in any direction along a shaft.
Uses of Linear Bushings
Linear bushings are commonly used in combination with linear shafts in sliding mechanisms for various applications such as precision equipment, industrial machinery, medical devices, and office automation equipment, particularly in settings where light loads and minimal vibration or shock are present.
As linear bushings themselves are not powered, they are frequently utilized with cylinders or motors to achieve linear motion.
They enable low-friction, high-precision linear motion between the bushing and the shaft, but careful consideration of shaft deflection and the operating environment is necessary when used under load.
Principles of Linear Bushings
Linear bushings are composed of an outer sleeve, a ball, and a cage. In conjunction with a linear shaft, they achieve linear motion through the rolling of the balls.
The outer casing, made of highly wear-resistant and tough bearing steel, undergoes heat treatment, and its inner and outer diameters are finely ground to facilitate high-precision positioning in linear motion.
The retainer features a guide groove for the ball, ensuring it rolls smoothly along the groove and the inner surface of the outer sleeve. This setup allows for accurate motion with minimal friction due to the point contact between the ball and the shaft.
Selection of linear bushings is based on factors like mounting orientation, travel speed, and usage frequency. Load calculations, rated life, and operating environment considerations are vital, especially when dealing with horizontal guidance under load, where shaft deflection can be an issue.
List of 14 Linear Bushing Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- China
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
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Action Bearing
Linear Bushings
Manufacturer Overview
Action Bearing was founded in 1965 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The company and its sister company Emerson Bearing are manufacturers and servicers of ball and roller bearings for OEM and maintenance markets throughout the United States as well as the international markets. The company distributes bearings and other products from companies such as Timken Drives, Nachi, NTN, Alinabal, and Bando. The company also provides bearing modifications including grooving, re-lubrication, and internal clearance.
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LinTech
Linear Bushings
Manufacturer Overview
LinTech was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Monrovia, California. The company is a manufacturer that also designs and engineers positioning components and systems for use in a wide range of linear motion control applications for customers in aerospace, food processing, machine tool, semiconductor, and other markets. The company offers a range of products from linear ball bushings & shafts to ball screw assemblies, rotary stages, and more. The company offers extensive technical support and customer service including assistance with CAD files.
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Isotech, Inc.
Linear Bushings
Company Overview
Isotech was founded in 182 and is headquartered in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. Isotech is a manufacturer’s representative and distributor of proprietary mechanical and electromechanical products to the industrial, medical, and military OEM and in-plant markets. Some of Isotech’s products include linear slide assemblies & rail sets, shock/vibration mounts & pads, linear bushings & shafting, telescoping lifting columns, positioning stages, air bearings, gas springs/air cylinders, motorized positioning tables, laser marking cutting systems, foamed aluminum/metal/composites, stamped metal, noise control products, and belt driven actuators.
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Lishui Zhuhai Bearing Co., Ltd
Linear Bushing
Manufacturer Overview
Lishui Zhuhai Bearing Co., Ltd. (LZB) is a Chinese manufacturer of linear motion components that was established in Lishui City, Zhejiang in 2010. The company primarily produces linear and rod end joint bearings that allow for linear or rotational motion between parts, linear guides that support the movement of loads along a line path, and ball screws that convert rotary motion to linear motion. These are used in various mechanical applications, such as in precision machinery, hydraulic cylinders, and industrial robots. LZB products are used by clients in the automotive, aerospace, and industrial machinery sectors, which include Hitachi, Airbus, and NASA.
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THK U.K.
Linear Bushing
Manufacturer Overview
THK Co., Ltd. was incorporated in 1946 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. THK is a manufacturer and supplier of machine components such as linear motion components for customers globally. THK’s products are used in many industries including electronics, aerospace, industrial robots, and precision instruments. THK’s primary product categories are Linear Motion, Feed Screw, Rotation, Custom Assemblies, and Seismic Isolation. Linear Motion products assist in linear motion and transportation. They include linear motion actuators, guides, and rollers. Feed screws include ball screws, screw nuts, and change nuts. Seismic Isolation includes both large systems and small guides.
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Lishui Yongrun Precision Machinery
Linear Bushings
Manufacturer Overview
Lishui Yongrun Precision Machinery, established in 2002 and based in Zhejiang, China, is a manufacturer and supplier of high-tech precision machinery products. The company product portfolio includes a wide variety of linear rail, ball screws, linear modules, linear machinery, bearings, roller needles, and rods. The company also offers high-precision, and high-tech linear transmission products. The products are widely used in various industries which include machinery, prints, chemical, medical, woodwork, and robotics.
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SAMICK Precision Ind. co., Ltd
Linear Bushing
Manufacturer Overview
SAMICK Precision Ind. Co., Ltd, established in 1987 and based in Korea, is a manufacturer of factory automation-related products. The company produces products such as linear bushing, linear bearing, ball bushing, linear ball bearing, and bushing cases and supplies to different industries. All its products are supplied to 36 countries in Asia, Europe, and USA. Every product is manufactured by abiding by the Obtained ISO9001:2000, ISO14001 certification, and RoHS certification standards and obtained patent for servo cylinder and picker actuator.
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NIPPON BEARING CO., LTD.
Linear Bushing
Manufacturer Overview
Nippon Bearing was established in 1939 and is headquartered in Ojiya-City, Niigata, Japan as a manufacturer of linear motion products. The company is known for producing linear bearings, and some of its other products include Linear and Slide Guides, Ball Splines, Cross Roller Guides, and Linear Bushings. These items have extensive use in industries that work with optical equipment and high-precision measurements as the products have motion accuracy as well as rigidity. The company also provides parts and tools for general machinery as well.
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LIMON AUTO TECH CO., LTD
Linear Bushing
Manufacturer Overview
LIMON AUTO TECH CO., LTD (LIMON) is a Chinese manufacturer of automated linear motion systems that was established in Ningbo, Zhejiang in 2002. The company primarily produces linear bushings, modules, and guideways, ball screws, supports, and hollow rotary actuators. It also offers stepper motors and motor drivers, as well as custom engineered solutions for unique customer projects. LIMON products are mainly used in medical equipment and industrial automation, as well as by clients in the optical devices and semiconductor industries.
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Manufacturer Overview
igus GmbH, established in 1964 and based in Cologne, Germany, is a manufacturer and distributor of technical products made using polymers for movement. Its products include injection molding frames, motor control systems, and plain bearings, and it has over 240,000 products in over 1,000,000 variations. It serves 188,000 companies from over 80 countries worldwide in 50 different industries, including packaging, automotive, and renewable energy. The company is ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 50001 certified, and in 2023, it recorded €1.115 billion in sales. Since 2021, the company has purchased 380 new injection-molding machines and has replaced 275 old ones.
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SCREW TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
Linear Bushing
Company Overview
SCREW TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED, a company established in 2010, based in Dongguan, Guangdong, China, is a manufacturer and supplier of screw air compressors and related accessories. The company provides product solutions for various industrial and environmental applications such as pneumatic tools, spray painting, sand blasting, textile, mining, and water treatment. It has a range of products such as rotary screw air compressors, portable screw air compressors, oil-free screw air compressors, air dryers, air filters, and air tanks. These products are designed to operate with high efficiency, quality, and durability.
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NIPPON THOMPSON CO., LTD.
Linear Bushing
Company Overview
Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd. - IKO is based in Japan and was established in 1950 as a manufacturer of bearings. The company designs Linear Motion Rolling guides and Mechatronics series and they were the first to produce Needle Roller Bearings. These products have vast applications in various industries as they are used in Electronics-related Devices and Equipment like semiconductors and for precision devices that are used in laboratory measuring instruments and medical equipment. Textile, printing, construction, transportation, and robotics are also on the list of industries that benefit from IKO products.
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Accelerated Parts
Linear Bushings
Distributor Overview
Accelerated Parts is a supplier of fasteners, motion control components, robotics, and tools, established in 2003. They offer a wide selection of fasteners, including bolts, nuts, and screws. In addition, they provide motion control components such as actuators, ball screws, ball splines, and bearings. Furthermore, Accelerated Parts offers a comprehensive range of robotic parts, including end-effector kits, sensors, gearboxes, tool changers, and wheels. Their products support the performance, functionality, and efficiency of various applications in industries ranging from manufacturing and automation to robotics.
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Linear Bushing Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
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| 1 | THK U.K. |
66.7%
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| 2 | NIPPON BEARING CO., LTD. |
33.3%
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Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the linear bushing page as of April 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- THK U.K.: 13,502
- NIPPON THOMPSON CO., LTD.: 2,673
- NIPPON BEARING CO., LTD.: 582
Newly Established Company
- SCREW TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED: 2011 (13 years ago)
- Lishui Yongrun Precision Machinery: 2002 (22 years ago)
- SAMICK Precision Ind. co., Ltd: 1987 (37 years ago)
Company with a History
- NIPPON BEARING CO., LTD.: 1959 (65 years ago)
- THK U.K.: 1971 (53 years ago)
- LinTech: 1971 (53 years ago)
Linear Bushing Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Linear Bushing Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
China
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4 | 36.4% |
United States of America
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3 | 27.3% |
Japan
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3 | 27.3% |
Republic of Korea
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1 | 9.1% |
