8 Ball Guide Manufacturers in 2023
This section provides an overview for ball guides as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 8 ball guide manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
What Is a Ball Guide?
A ball guide is a guide component that uses the rolling performance of a ball to perform linear motion with very low friction. Ball guides are mainly installed on shafts to provide low-friction linear motion in the direction of the shaft's long axis. In addition to ball guide, roller guides are similar to ball guide.
A typical low-friction ball bearing is a ball bearing. The role of this type of bearing is to support rotational motion, not linear motion. The principle of low friction by rotating balls is the same.
Uses of Ball Guides
Ball guides are mainly used as part of the linear motion mechanism of a machine. Since ball guides are used to reduce friction, they are rarely used by themselves, but rather in combination with a stage or bracket on which a shaft is used to compensate for vibration or a conveying object is placed.
There are various types of ball guides. There are ball bushings and linear bushings with a cylindrical shape that fit into the shaft, and linear guides with a flattened part of the structure that can also serve as a stage.
Principle of Ball Guides
Ball guides consist of a guidepost, a ball retainer, and a bush. The ball guides are pressurized to roll between the bush and the guidepost. While they are inexpensive, they have a slightly lower load capacity than roller guides.
Linear guides have a structure in which the balls make contact with the rail surface. The ball rolling grooves are also provided. Therefore, the allowable load capacity is higher. In other words, it is possible to move the ball while receiving a load. However, this makes the structure more complex and expensive.
Linear bushings are compact and have no rolling grooves. Therefore, the contact area of the ball is small and the allowable load is low. In other words, it is not possible for the ball to move while receiving a load. When using linear bushings, the load must be applied elsewhere, as they are only used to guide the transfer. For example, it can be used as a guide for linear motion in the direction of the long axis of a shaft fixed to a bearing.
List of 8 Ball Guide 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
- Germany
- Japan
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LinTech
Rail Linear Guides
Company 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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THK
LM Guide
Company 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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Bosch Rexroth
Ball Rail Systems
Company Overview
Bosch Rexroth’s origins date back to 1795 and is now based in Lohr am Main, Germany. Bosh Rexroth is a manufacturer of industrial and mobile equipment control and motion products and systems. Bosch Rexroth’s products are divided into 10 technology segments. First is assembly technology which includes modular components. Next are electronic drives and controls which include CNC and motion control. Industrial hydraulics and linear motion technology follow. Mobile hydraulics, electronics, and IoT include solutions for mobile machines. Gear technology includes planetary gearboxes. The final four segments are molding and casting technology, tightening technology, resistance welding, and mobile robotics.
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NSK Americas, Inc.
Linear Guides
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Ball Guide Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Number of Employees
- NSK Americas, Inc.: 30,577
- THK: 13,073
Newly Established Company
- THK: 1971 (52 years ago)
- NSK Americas, Inc.: 1916 (107 years ago)
- Bosch Rexroth: 1795 (228 years ago)
Company with a History
- Bosch Rexroth: 1795 (228 years ago)
- NSK Americas, Inc.: 1916 (107 years ago)
- THK: 1971 (52 years ago)
