This Thomson Precision series open type ball bushing bearing provides free linear movement on a hardened steel shaft. Ball bushing bearings are linear ball bearings that reduce friction for linear motion. The bearing’s outer sleeve is made of hardened 52100 steel for strength and resistance to wear, and the balls are made of chrome steel for high load capacity and resistance to wear. The balls are recirculated to reduce wear and provide a low coefficient of friction, allowing the use of smaller motors, belts, and gears compared to conventional linear bearings. The bearing has a maximum operating temperature of 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). This ball bushing bearing is shipped with a rust preventative oil, and is used in XY tables and other types of motion control equipment.

Plain bearings provide low-friction sliding contact for relative motion between parts of a machine. They are the simplest type of bearing, with no rolling elements, and there are three basic types of plain bearings: radial plain bearings (also called sleeve bearings or bushings) to support rotating or reciprocating shafts, thrust bearings (also called washers) to support axial loads on shafts, and linear bearings to support and guide the motion of parts in a straight line. Flanged sleeve bearings have a flange on one end to support axial loads. Spherical plain bearings are radial bearings that allow for angular misalignment of the shaft. Plain bearings are made from durable, low-friction materials such as sintered or cast bronze alloys, plastic, or a combination of a metal shell and a plastic bearing surface. They can be lubricated externally or by a lubricant embedded in the bearing material. Plain bearings are used in automobiles, construction and mining equipment, textile manufacturing equipment, and robotics, among others.

Thomson manufacturers linear motion bearings and systems, clutches, brakes, and planetary gearheads. The company, founded over 60 years ago and headquartered in Washington, D.C., meets International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 9001 for quality assurance.