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The diverse range of Thomson guide and drive systems can be configured to work in harsh environments, at high speeds and in high-precision applications — all while striking a balance of performance, life and cost. RediMount motor mounting adapter kits are now available as standard on all systems, making the process of choosing and mounting a motor much faster and easier.
Custom Multi-Segment: Create as many move profile segments as needed, define them individually
End Fixity Type
End fixity is the bearing configurations that are used to support the ends of a ball screw assembly. The 3 common end fixity configurations are shown. Fixed-free offers the least support where Fixed-Fixed offers the most support. Maximum screw RPM and buckling load are impacted by end fixity.
Move Profile Type
The Move profile will be broken up in either three equal time segments or equal distance segments (acceleration, constant speed, deceleration). For more customizability, see Custom Multi-Segment move profile option.
Max Stroke Length
Distance between the end supports (threaded length of the screw).
Move Distance
Full distance the nut will travel during the move. This distance does not have to be the full stroke.
STEP 2 - Application Data
Orientation
Changing the orientation of the linear unit affects which axes gravity acts upon. All available linear units can be mounted in any orientation.
Total Mass to Move
Each linear unit has a specification for how much load it can support along each of its 3 axes. By entering in the total mass that needs to be moved, and the distances of the center of mass from the carriage, a resultant load for each axis is calculated.
Mass Carried By
In some cases, a linear unit can be used only to provide axis thrust on a mass. The weight of the mass being moved would then be supported by separate guide (such as a profile rail). In most cases, however, the weight of the mass is supported by the carriage of the linear unit itself.
Carriage Count
Some linear units are available with 2 carriages. Adding a second carriage spreads the load out across a wider area, allowing the unit to support higher total loads. The unit will also support much higher moment loads along the Y-axis. The overall length of the unit will be longer for a given stroke length on a double carriage unit
X-Axis Mass to Carriage Distance (Dx)
Enter in the distance (in the X-axis direction) of the center of mass of the object being moved.
Y-Axis Mass to Carriage Distance (Dy)
Enter in the distance (in the Y-axis direction) of the center of mass of the object being moved.
Z-Axis Mass to Carriage Distance (Dz)
Enter in the distance (in the Z-axis direction) of the center of mass of the object being moved.
External Forces
In some cases, in addition to the force of gravity while moving an object, external forces or moments will impact the carriage. Use the external forces section to enter in any additional forces or moments applied to the linear unit.
STEP 3 - Select Unit
Repeatability
Repeatability
Repeatability refers to the tolerance within which the linear unit returns to a given position.
Environment
Environment
Standard Factory Environment
This environment is characterized more as a shop setting than as a lab room. We can expect some airborne particles and some degree of humidity to be present; however, personnel would typically function in this environment without any form of protective gear (masks, respirators, local dust or chemical hoods). Typical applications: Packaging, material handling, general factory automation.
Extreme Dust/Fine Particle
This environment is characterized by enough airborne particles to require an operator to wear some form of respiratory protection Typical applications: Woodworking, grinding, metal turning.
Wash Down
Typical places where S1 is used as slaughter houses, dairy plants, food plants or in any other application where light wash down is needed. Typical applications: Dairy, slaughterhouses.
Wash Down - Corrosive
Typical places where 21 is used as moderately wet areas such as in paper mills, galvanizing equipment, food industries or in any other harsh environment where enhance wash down is required. The unit can be exerted to chemical within the pH range 4.5-8.5. Typical applications: Paper mills, galvanizing equipment, food industries.
Impact/Press/Vibration
This environment is defined as applications that would impart higher than normal loads on carriages or saddles due to initial impact dynamics. Typical applications: Punching machining, metal forming.
Select Units
The stated available options are based off your selections to this point. Refer to charts to the right.
Exposed options to choose fromStarting Price: $NaNLead Time: daysFamilies included:
High Speed options to choose fromStarting Price: $NaNLead Time: daysFamilies included:
High Precision options to choose fromStarting Price: $NaNLead Time: daysFamilies included:
High Moment options to choose fromStarting Price: $NaNLead Time: daysFamilies included:
Availability Grid (Table updates as you progress through steps 1 to 3)
Grid result based on inputs on left. You may need to adjust the inputs to best tailor results.
CHART KEY (All colors but green indicate units that will not meet entered requirements)
Click any cell in any of the categories of the availability grid for critical information.
Enclosed (Standard)
Profile Width (mm) Travel Per Turn (mm)
Exposed
Profile Width (mm) Travel Per Turn (mm)
Profile Width (mm) Travel Per Turn (mm)
High Speed
Profile Width (mm) Travel Per Turn (mm)
High Precision
Profile Width (mm) Travel Per Turn (mm)
High Moment
Profile Width (mm) Travel Per Turn (mm)
Travel Per Turn
Travel per turn refers to the screw lead for ballscrew and leadscrew driven units. For belt driven units it refers to the distance the carriage travels on one motor revolution. For a given fram size, units with higher travel per turn will be able to achieve higher speeds but will have lower thrust load capacities.
Accessories/Mounting System
STEP 1 - Define the Motor Mount Adapter
Motor Requirements
A Thomson RediMount motor adapter is standard on all Thomson linear units. It will help you mount any motor or gearhead to a Thomson linear unit.
Select one of the three options below:
Select your motor adapter:
Selected Results:
Select Your Motor
Enter Your Dimensions
Range: 0.709 in to 8.466 in
Range: 0.02 in to 2.047 in
Range: 0.157 in to 1.417 in
Range: NaN in to NaN in
Range: NaN in to NaN in
MotorRediMount
SD=Shaft Diameter
SL=Shaft Length
FW=Flange Width
PD=Pilot Diameter
PLm=Pilot Length Motor
PLr=Pilot Length RediMount
BC=Bolt Circle Diameter
MHm=Mounting Hole Motor
MHr=Mounting Hole RediMount
Select RediMount ID
Changes made in this step will reset the shaft selections made in step 2.
No exact matches were found. The unit will be configured and priced and the dimensional information can be provided later.
Ball-guided linear units that combine high precision with stiffness and rigidity for applications such as machine tool automation and test/measurement.
For machine designs that require precise linear motion at high speeds with maximum load capacity, stiffness and rigidity, linear motion systems provide the ideal solution.
Why Thomson Linear Motion Systems?
From space-efficient systems to large, robust solutions, the wide range of Thomson linear tables and slides can be optimally configured for your high-precision application – no matter how harsh the environment. Available with the RediMount™ motor mounting adapter kit as standard, our systems strike the ideal balance of performance, life and cost.
Customization Options
When your design requirements fall outside of the parameters offered by standard Thomson linear units, our engineers can work with you to customize a solution. In fact, our linear motion systems are built with customization in mind, so we can mix and match modules to accommodate your solution quickly and cost effectively.
Where Can You Get Started?
Thomson provides extensive online resources to help you no matter where you may be in the purchase decision process:
VIDEO: How to Mount Your Motor to a Linear Motion System Using the Thomson RediMount Kit
No longer do you need to waste valuable time searching for the right motor flange kit for your design and then putting it together. With the new pre-assembled RediMount adapter kit, simply order it and, upon receipt, bolt on your motor or gear. This video shows you how.
VIDEO: Linear Systems: Limit Switch Setup
Thomson Engineers show how to apply limit switch tracks to all linear units. If you order your limit switch kit with your linear unit, it will come pre-installed. But if you adjust those sensors or if you order it separately, it is very easy to post-install. Switches can be normally closed or opened and come with a cover strip for protection.
VIDEO: Prism-guided System Optimized For Washdown
Thomson introduces the benefits of the Movopart M75 belt driven, prism guide unit that is set up with a wash down option. The prism guides are an engineered polymer that slide along the extrusion. These types of bearings are ideal for shock loads, low noise, or have a wash down or caustic environment.
VIDEO: High-Speed WH-Style Linear Systems
Thomson introduces the benefits of the WH SpeedLine wheel guided, belt-driven linear motion system. These units are ideal for high speed applications with multiple orientations or multiple axis configurations. They come in 50 and 120 mm profile widths and can reach 10 m/s with a stroke length up to 11 meters.
VIDEO: High Precision WM-style Linear Systems
The WM family has a unique feature of an internal movable ball screw support, which allows for long lengths and high speeds. The WM Units are ideal where stiffness, rigidity, and/or precision may be required - such as machine tool automation or test and measure. Thomson can provide units up to 11 meters in length...
In tackling residential issues such as environmental sustainability, climbing real estate prices and energy consumption, Virginia Tech University’s FutureHaus engineering team designed their award-winning smart house prototype with the help of Thomson linear motion systems.
Within a basic linear motion system exists a wide array of components, and within those, numerous subsystems. This article helps design engineers understand the key factors in determining the ideal system for their application.
With linear motion systems being exposed to a wide range of extreme environments and conditions, careful specification and selection of these systems, as well as a thoughtful engineering review, are paramount in avoiding potential risks.
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