THK | Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing — from industrial 3D printing to advanced rapid prototyping — demands a level of motion precision that directly determines the quality of every part produced. THK's linear motion components are engineered to meet those exacting standards, providing the smooth, repeatable, and highly accurate movement that print heads, build platforms, and material handling systems rely on throughout every layer of the process. Whether operating in polymer, metal, or composite printing environments, THK's LM Guides, Ball Screws, and actuators deliver consistent positional accuracy, minimal vibration, and long-term durability — ensuring that each build performs to specification from the first layer to the last. As additive manufacturing continues to evolve from prototyping into full-scale production, the demands on motion systems only grow — higher speeds, tighter tolerances, and continuous duty cycles that leave no room for error. THK's proven technology supports that evolution, helping manufacturers push the boundaries of what's possible while maintaining the reliability and repeatability their processes depend on.

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Ball Screw

The Ball Screw is a high-efficiency feed screw with the ball making a rolling motion between the screw axis and the nut. Compared with a conventional sliding screw, this product has drive torque of one-third or less, making it most suitable for saving drive motor power.

Ball Spline

The Ball Spline is a rolling guide spline bearing. This is an innovative product with a ball rolling on a groove connected to the shaft, realizing allowable loads greater than with linear bushing and enabling torque transmission while making linear movements.

Cam Follower

The Cam Follower is a compact bearing with a high-rigidity shaft and a built-in needle bearing. Most suitable as a guide roller for cam mechanisms and linear motion of automated machines and dedicated machines.

Guide Ball Bushing

Since model LG has 4 rows of circular arc grooves (raceways), it does not need a mechanism to prevent the outer tube from rotating. In addition, its load rating is much larger than Linear Bushing model LM with the same dimensions. Therefore, replacing the Linear Bushing with the Guide Ball Bushing will reduce the size and cost of the guide unit and extend the service life.

Lead Screw

The high strength zinc alloy used in the change nuts is a material that is highly resistant to seizure and the wear and has a high load carrying capacity.

Linear Actuators

Actuators simplify the design and construction of systems by combining separate components, including Linear Motion Guides, drive system (ball screw, belt, or rack & pinion), and base frame, into one part.
This simplification results in a very compact design as well as significant cost savings. Actuators are a very easy way to quickly build up multi-axis systems, streamlining design time, and allowing to focus on performance instead of implementation.

Linear Bushing

Linear Bushing model LM is a linear motion system used in combination with a cylindrical LM shaft to perform infinite straight motion. The balls in the loaded area of the nut are in point contact with the LM shaft. This allows straight motion with minimal friction resistance and achieves highly accurate and smooth motion despite the small permissible load.

Linear Bushing (Inch)

THK's Inch Series of Linear Bushings. (POWER LINEAR BUSHING) The POWER LINEAR BUSH has extremely smooth and quiet motion due to a uniquely designed ball retainer and outer sleeve. They are constructed of engineering polymer, which is lightweight, low friction and highly wear-resistant.

Linear Motion Guide

The LM Guide (Linear Motion Guide) is our main product, incorporating a part with a linear rolling motion into practical usage for the first time in the world. It realizes the development of high-precision, high-rigidity, energy-saving, high-speed machines with long service lives.

Lubrication

An assortment of lubrication associated products is available to maintain sufficient lubrication of machines.

Roller Follower

The Roller Follower is a compact and highly rigid bearing system. It contains needle bearings and is used as a guide roller for cam discs and straight motion. Since its outer ring rotates while keeping direct contact with the mating surface, this product is thickwalled and designed to bear an impact load.