raptor logo

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Always Active

These cookies make our website work. They include logging personal details, like login/sign-up or account data, browser information, images & videos, and shopping cart journey.

In addition, we use optimization cookies to test new features and designs on our website. The information collected helps us improve our website and customers' experience.

Advertising

These cookies are used to understand the performance and relevancy of our adverts, to provide you with personalised adverts on other websites and social media, to track when you have arrived at our site from a recognised third-party affiliate website, and to track if you made a purchase based on the adverts we displayed to you.

recommendations

These cookies enable us to provide personalised product and content recommendations, to make the browsing experience more relevant to you.

Functional

These cookies are used to offer customer surveys and feedback, to improve search results, and to allow you to share content from our website on social media.

analysis

These cookies help us improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it.

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.