The THK LM Guide Actuator Caged Ball LM Guide Actuator SKR26 is a high-precision linear motion system engineered for applications demanding exceptional rigidity, smooth operation, and long-term reliability. This actuator integrates a recirculating ball screw with a compact, high-rigidity LM guide block, creating a unified assembly that provides both guided motion and high-efficiency force transmission. A defining feature of the SKR26 is its caged ball technology, where the load-carrying steel balls within the LM guide are separated and retained by a synthetic resin cage. This design fundamentally eliminates metal-on-metal contact between the balls, drastically reducing friction, heat generation, and wear. The result is a significantly smoother and quieter motion profile, with a consistent, low coefficient of friction that remains stable over the system’s entire operational lifespan.
Key technical features of the SKR26 include its compact cross-sectional dimensions, which allow for space-saving integration into machinery with limited envelope constraints. The ball screw is precision-ground, offering high positional accuracy and repeatability, while the LM guide block is designed with four rows of balls arranged in an arc-groove contact configuration. This structure provides a high load capacity in all directions—radial, reverse-radial, and lateral—ensuring stability under complex loading conditions. The caged ball design not only enhances performance but also simplifies maintenance, as it prevents ball-to-ball contact and the associated wear debris, leading to cleaner operation and extended maintenance intervals. Pre-loaded ball nuts and guide blocks are available to eliminate backlash, making the actuator ideal for applications requiring high positional precision.
The performance advantages of the SKR26 are substantial. Its low-friction operation translates directly into higher efficiency, allowing for the use of smaller, more energy-efficient motors and drives. The high rigidity minimizes deflection under load, which is critical for maintaining accuracy during high-speed movements and heavy cutting or machining forces. Furthermore, the longevity of the system is markedly improved due to the reduced wear on the balls and raceways, ensuring consistent performance and precision over millions of cycles with minimal degradation.
Typical applications for the THK SKR26 actuator are found across demanding industrial sectors. In industrial machinery, it is extensively used in CNC machining centers for tool changer arms, in semiconductor manufacturing equipment for precise wafer handling and positioning stages, and in automated assembly lines for high-speed pick-and-place units. Within the automotive industry, the actuator is deployed in robotic welding and painting arms, where smooth, vibration-free motion is essential for quality, and in precision testing equipment for component validation. In the realm of precision equipment, the SKR26 is a critical component in medical device manufacturing systems, coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), and optical alignment apparatuses, where its combination of high accuracy, rigidity, and smooth motion is indispensable for achieving micron-level tolerances.