Thomson Linear Motion Slides, Rails & Actuator Distributor
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We are closed from Monday, Dec 23rd and will reopen on Monday, Jan 6th. Any orders received during this time will be processed in the New Year.

THOMSON

For over 75 years, Thomson, a part of Altra Industrial Motion, has been manufacturing linear and mechanical motion products for use in the material handling, packaging, automation, medical, energy, automotive, aerospace and defence industries. The brand offers complete system solutions using its precision linear motion technologies for drive, control, motor & power transmission applications. Read More

About Thomson

Thomson catalogue includes a wide range of linear bearings & guide rails, linear shafts, support rails, stainless steel ball stock, ball carriages and sleeve bearings. Thomson linear bearings accommodate torsional misalignment and impose minimum stress on the bearing components. They are constructed using steel, stainless steel, aluminium or Delrin and have a maximum load-bearing capacity of 2200 lb. These units may feature double-acting seals for keeping the system contaminant-free and self-lubricating properties for frictionless operation & wear resistance. They are available in open and closed configurations depending on the ease of maintenance & frequency of lubrication requirements.

Things to Consider

Cross-Reference Alternatives

Thomson products' model numbers generally cross individual reference to the equivalent Dayton, NB, PBC Linear, 80/20 & Bishop-Wisecarver MPNs (manufacturer's part numbers). So, if you're looking for couplings, flanges, gear & accessories that are either out of stock or obsolete, chances are Raptor Supplies has the alternate product available.

Shipping

These Thomson Linear products are generally small to medium in size and may require compact packaging. They are suitable for courier shipment and not air freight.

Major Trade Names

Thomson Competitive Advantages

MultiTrac Ball Bushing Bearings

Thomson MultiTrac Ball Bushing bearings are extremely rigid for reduced deflection & accurate positioning. They offer 2 times the load capacity or 8 times the travel life compared to conventional ball bushing bearings. Their patented ball control technology prevents binding & chatter (stick-slip) due to a low coefficient of friction (0.01). A larger bearing capacity allows system compactness while decreasing hardware costs.

60 Case Standard Shafting

Thomson 60 Case standard shafting, manufactured in an ISO 9000:2000 registered facility, is used with Thomson Ball Bushing bearings for superior bearing performance & enhanced travel life. Their extremely hard surface reduces wear, nicks & scratches when acting as an inner race of a linear bearing. These shafts are specially machined for high straightness, shaft roundness & cylindricity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to choose between Thomson round & square rails?

Round rails accommodate torsional misalignment with minimal stress increase in bearing components. They have exceptional smoothness due to their low drag (friction coefficient). However, these round rails have lower positional accuracy.
Square rails are more compact and provide high positioning accuracy. However, they require precise mounting surfaces that are more difficult to install.

Should Thomson linear bearings be greased?

Thomas linear bearings should be greased / lubricated periodically to reduce wear, smoothen motion and dampen stress. Bearings having an open configuration can be easily greased but require frequent greasing. Bearings having a closed configuration do not require frequent greasing but are harder to lubricate.

What are the uses of Thomson linear motion slides?

Thomson linear slides are used for smooth linear motion with low friction in applications requiring high thrust, high-precision accuracy & stiffness. These Thomson linear slides, having drive & guide configuration, come in pre-assembled, ready-to-install designs for use in factory automation, packaging, semiconductor, automotive assembly and food processing.