THK’s LM Guide LM Guide (full ball type) High Temperature SR M1SB SERIES represents a specialized advancement in linear motion technology, engineered to deliver uncompromised performance in demanding high-temperature environments. This series incorporates a full-ball type LM guide structure, where the rolling elements are precision-ground balls that circulate continuously between the rail and block. The defining characteristic of the SR M1SB is its exceptional thermal stability, achieved through a meticulously selected heat-resistant steel for the critical components—the rail, block, and balls. This material composition is specifically treated to resist softening, deformation, and loss of hardness when subjected to sustained elevated temperatures, typically in a range up to 150°C and, with specialized lubrication, even higher for intermittent duty.

The technical features of this series are tailored for thermal resilience and sustained accuracy. The full-ball contact design provides high rigidity and load capacity in all directions—radial, reverse-radial, and lateral. The ball grooves are precision-machined with a Gothic arch profile, optimizing contact stress distribution and ensuring smooth, low-friction motion. To combat the primary challenge of high-temperature operation, the series utilizes a specialized high-temperature grease, packed within a high-performance seal system. These seals, often made from heat-resistant rubber or advanced polymers, are multi-layered to effectively retain lubrication and aggressively exclude contaminants like dust and scale, which are more prevalent in hot industrial settings. This combination prevents grease breakdown, premature wear, and seizure.

The performance advantages are significant for operations where heat is a byproduct of the process. The SR M1SB SERIES maintains positional accuracy and preload over extended periods, minimizing thermal drift that can compromise machining or assembly precision. Its high-temperature resilience directly translates to reduced maintenance intervals, lower lifecycle costs, and enhanced machine uptime, as the guideway does not require frequent replacement due to heat-induced degradation. The smooth, stable motion also contributes to lower noise and vibration levels, even under heavy loads in hot conditions.

Typical applications are found in industries where machinery operates with inherent heat generation. In industrial machinery, these guides are indispensable for the sliding tables of injection molding machines, where they are positioned near the heated barrel, and in die-casting machines, handling the intense heat from molten metal processes. Within automotive manufacturing systems, they are deployed in welding robots and paint-drying oven conveyors, where components must reliably function despite radiant heat. In the realm of precision equipment, the SR M1SB SERIES is integrated into semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, such as wafer handling robots in high-temperature process chambers, and in the precise stages of laser processing machines used for cutting or welding, where environmental heat would render standard linear guides ineffective.