THK’s Flat Roller Flat Surface Type Model FT represents a specialized linear motion solution engineered for applications demanding exceptional rigidity, high load capacity, and smooth, precise travel along a flat surface. This system fundamentally departs from traditional ball-based guides by utilizing cylindrical rollers as the rolling elements within its compact, single-axis unit. The core of the Model FT consists of a robust guide rail with precisely ground raceways and a carriage block that houses the rollers, which are retained by a highly durable resin retainer. This retainer is critical, as it prevents skewing and ensures the rollers circulate smoothly, maintaining consistent contact and eliminating metal-to-metal contact between the rollers themselves to minimize wear, vibration, and noise generation.
The technical features of the Model FT are defined by its roller-based design. The line contact of the rollers with the raceway, as opposed to the point contact of balls, is the primary source of its performance advantages. This contact geometry grants the system an exceptionally high load rating in all directions—radial, reverse-radial, and lateral. Its static load capacity is substantially greater than similarly sized ball guide systems, making it inherently more rigid and resistant to elastic deformation under heavy loads or moment forces. This results in unparalleled positional accuracy and stability, with minimal deflection during operation. The optimized recirculation path and the use of high-grade, case-hardened steel for all critical components ensure high durability, long service life, and consistent performance even in demanding environments characterized by shock, vibration, and continuous heavy-duty cycles.
These performance characteristics make the THK Model FT an ideal choice for a wide range of demanding industrial applications. In industrial machinery, it is frequently specified for the critical axes of machine tools, such as in the feed mechanisms of machining centers, grinding machines, and turning centers, where its high rigidity directly translates to improved surface finish and part tolerances. Within the realm of automotive manufacturing systems, the FT model is found in high-precision welding robots, heavy-duty transfer lines, and precision press-feeding equipment, where it reliably handles high moment loads and repetitive, high-impact operations. For precision equipment, its stability and smooth motion are indispensable in semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, including wafer steppers and probing machines, as well as in precision inspection and measuring instruments where even micron-level vibration or deflection is unacceptable. The THK Flat Roller Flat Surface Type Model FT, therefore, stands as a superior motion component for engineers seeking to maximize stiffness, load capacity, and precision in the most challenging automation and production environments.