FAQ

What are the benefits of using C-Lube Linear Ways in terms of long-term labour costs?

Answer: In the Canadian manufacturing sector, reducing labour costs is a top priority. IKO’s C-Lube Linear Ways integrate a lubricant supply inside the slide unit, providing maintenance-free performance for up to 20,000 km. This significantly reduces the frequency of manual greasing and downtime, lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO) for automated production lines.

Can IKO Linear Ways be used as direct replacements for other major brands in Canada?

Answer: Yes, IKO products are designed to international standards. We offer a comprehensive cross-reference guide to help Canadian customers switch from other brands to IKO seamlessly. Our Linear Way series often features interchangeable specifications, allowing for easy integration into existing machinery without the need for extensive redesigns.

What is the maximum operating temperature for IKO Linear Ways in industrial applications?

Answer: Standard IKO Linear Ways are typically designed for operation up to 80°C. However, for high-temperature environments such as drying ovens or heat-treatment equipment, we offer specialized High-Temperature Linear Ways that can operate in temperatures up to 150°C. These models utilize stainless steel components and heat-resistant end seals to maintain structural integrity under thermal stress.

Does IKO offer stainless steel linear guides with options to use in corrosive environments?

Answer: Yes. IKO Linear Way lineup includes products manufactured with high-grade stainless steel. These are engineered for durability in demanding Canadian industries such as food processing, beverage packaging, medical and pharmaceutical manufacturing, where frequent exposure to moisture and sanitizing agents is common.

For enhanced protection, IKO also offers specialized surface treatments, including:

Black Chrome Surface Treatment: Provides excellent rust resistance.
Fluorine Black Chrome Surface Treatment: Adds a fluorinated resin coating to the black chrome for superior corrosion resistance and prevents the adhesion of foreign substances.

Where and how can I purchase IKO products in Canada?

Answer: You can purchase IKO products through many authorized bearing distributors across Canada. To ensure you receive the exact component required for your design, IKO Thompson Bearings Canada offers a consultative purchasing process. Because our product range includes standard rotary and linear bearings as well as specialized, customized motion solutions, we ensure technical accuracy before every sale.

You can initiate your order or inquiry through the following steps:

Direct Technical Consultation: Contact our Mississauga-based engineering team at itc@ikonet.co.jp or +1 (647) 931-3933.
Specification Verification: Our local experts review your part numbers and operating conditions—such as load, speed, and environment—to confirm the product selection is optimized for your machine’s performance and longevity.
Tailored Fulfillment: Based on your specific requirements, including your location within Canada, preferred local distributors, order quantities, and lead-time expectations, we guide you to the most efficient procurement channel.

Whether you are an OEM integrating high-volume components or a maintenance manager sourcing a single replacement part, our goal is to provide a seamless supply-chain experience from our warehouse to your facility.

What is the standard lead time for IKO products in Canada?

Answer: Lead times at IKO are highly competitive and are determined primarily by product type and order volume. To ensure the fastest possible delivery, we utilize a multi-tier distribution strategy:

Local Canadian Inventory: We work closely with an extensive network of national and regional stock distributors across Canada who maintain ready-to-ship inventory of our most popular needle bearings and linear motion products.
North American Hubs: IKO operates strategically located warehouses in the USA that serve as central hubs.
Global Manufacturing Support: For custom or high-volume orders, we coordinate directly with our HQ in Japan to provide transparent and reliable production schedules.
For a precise lead time estimate tailored to your specific project, please contact our Mississauga office directly:

Email: itc@ikonet.co.jp

Phone: +1 (647) 931-3933

Is it possible to increase load capacity without changing the size of the linear guide?

Answer: If you are constrained by a specific footprint but require greater load capacity, there are three primary strategies to consider:

Switch from Ball Type to Roller Type: The most effective method is to replace a ball-type guide with an IKO Linear Roller Way of the same size. Because rollers provide line contact with the raceway—compared to the point contact of balls—they offer significantly higher load ratings and superior rigidity without increasing the overall dimensions of your assembly.
Increase the Number of Slide Units: Adding additional slide units to the rail increases the total system load capacity. However, this approach reduces the available maximum stroke length, as each added slide unit occupies space along the rail.
Select “Long” or “Extra Long” Slide Units: IKO offers extra-long variations within the same series. These designs incorporate a greater number of rolling elements within a single slide unit, increasing load capacity and rigidity while maintaining the same rail width and overall height.

Is it possible to replace just the slide carriage without replacing the track rail?

Answer: Yes — provided you are using IKO’s Interchangeable Specification products. Unlike many manufacturers that require the rail and carriage to be supplied as a matched set, IKO offers a highly flexible system.

Interchangeable Series: In our most popular Linear Way series, track rails and slide units are manufactured to high-precision interchangeable standards and supplied as separate components. This allows you to replace a worn slide unit with a new one on the existing rail while maintaining accuracy and smooth operation.

How to Verify Compatibility:
To confirm whether your current rail is compatible with a standalone replacement slide unit, check the part number for the “S1” or “S2” designation. You may also contact our Mississauga-based technical team at itc@ikonet.co.jp

We will review your model and specifications to determine whether a true drop-in replacement is available from our inventory in Canada.

Are the rolling elements (balls or rollers) retained within IKO linear ways, or will they fall out if the carriage is removed?

Answer: Most IKO linear motion products include a retaining design, with some miniature sizes being exceptions.

Ball-Type Series: IKO Ball-type Linear Way incorporate a built-in ball retaining band except rail width 1 mm - 3 mm. This prevents the steel balls from falling out when the slide unit is removed from the track rail, making handling, mounting, and maintenance significantly easier and safer.

Roller-Type Series: IKO Roller-type Linear Ways use a retaining plate or specialized internal structure to keep the rollers in place.

Interchangeable Products: IKO interchangeable slide units are specifically designed so that the rolling elements remain secure. This allows you to remove a slide unit off one rail and onto another without losing rolling elements.

Important Safety Tip: While the rolling elements are secured, we always recommend using a plastic dummy rail when installing a slide unit on or off a track rail. This helps prevent seal damage and ensures the internal components remain perfectly aligned. For non-retained specialty series, the balls will fall out if removed from the rail—always check your specific part number with our technical team before disassembly.

What is the Static Safety Factor (fs) and why is it important for IKO Linear Ways?

Answer: The Static Safety Factor (fs) is a design margin used to ensure that the actual load applied to an IKO Linear Ways remain safely below its maximum allowable limit. While the Basic Static Load Rating represents the threshold at which permanent deformation may begin under stationary or slow-moving conditions, the safety factor accounts for real-world operating conditions such as vibration, impact loads, and inertia forces.

Selecting an appropriate static safety factor helps improve reliability and prevents premature damage to the rolling elements and raceways, particularly in applications subject to shock loading or sudden acceleration and deceleration.

What is the difference between Basic Static and Basic Dynamic load ratings for Linear Ways?

Answer: These two ratings are used to evaluate the strength and expected service life of a linear guide under different operating conditions.

Basic Static Load Rating (C₀):
This rating represents the maximum allowable load under stationary or very slow-moving conditions. It corresponds to the load at which contact stress reaches a defined limit between the rolling elements and raceways. Exceeding this value may cause permanent deformation, which is why an appropriate static safety factor should always be applied in machine design.

Basic Dynamic Load Rating (C):
This rating is used to calculate operating life. It represents the constant load that a group of identical IKO Linear Ways can theoretically withstand over a total travel distance of 50 km before material fatigue begins to appear.

Can I get help selecting the right IKO linear guide for my application?

Yes. IKO engineering team can help you select the appropriate IKO linear motion rolling guide based on your application requirements, including load, speed, accuracy, rigidity, operating conditions, and other design considerations.

If you are unsure which product or specification is suitable for your application, please contact our engineering team. We can discuss your requirements and help identify an appropriate IKO solution before you place your order.

Contact IKO Engineering Team

IKO Thompson Bearings Canada, Inc.
Suite 700 - 6733 Mississauga Rd
Mississauga, ON L5N 6J5
647-931-3933
itc@ikonet.co.jp

What is “preload” in IKO Linear Ways and why is it important?

Answer: Preload is an internal load intentionally applied within the Linear Way by using rolling elements that are slightly larger than the raceway space. This eliminates internal clearance, or “play,” between the slide unit and the rail. Proper preload increases system rigidity, reduces vibration, and improves positioning accuracy, making it essential for precision machinery and high-performance motion systems. IKO offers multiple preload classes—from Clearance to Heavy preload—to help optimize the balance between rigidity, smooth motion, and operating life for each application.

How do linear motion rolling guides improve machinery performance?

Answer: IKO Linear motion rolling guides use recirculating balls or rollers to provide smooth and precise linear movement with low friction. Compared with conventional sliding mechanisms, they can improve machine performance in several important ways:

Low friction and smooth movement
Rolling contact significantly reduces friction, helping machinery achieve smooth motion with less driving force and lower heat generation.

High positioning accuracy and repeatability
Low and consistent friction helps reduce stick-slip and enables stable, repeatable movement, which is important for precision machinery and automated equipment.

High rigidity and load capacity
IKO Linear motion rolling guides are designed to support loads while maintaining the required level of rigidity. Proper selection of guide size, preload, and configuration can help minimize deflection and maintain positioning accuracy.

Reliable, long-term operation
When correctly selected, lubricated, and protected from contamination, IKO Linear motion rolling guides can provide reliable operation over long service periods with predictable motion characteristics.

Suitable for high-speed and high-cycle applications
Their low friction and smooth rolling motion make IKO linear motion rolling guides suitable for applications requiring frequent movement, high speed, and precise control.

Proper selection is essential

The actual performance of a linear motion rolling guide depends on factors such as load, speed, acceleration, required accuracy, rigidity, preload, mounting conditions, lubrication, and contamination control. Selecting the appropriate guide for the application is therefore essential to achieving the desired machine performance.

Request a Quote or Technical Assistance

Need help selecting the right linear motion rolling guide for your application? Contact our engineering team for technical assistance or request a quotation.

IKO Thompson Bearings Canada, Inc.
Suite 700 - 6733 Mississauga Rd
Mississauga, ON L5N 6J5
Tel: 647-931-3933
Email: itc@ikonet.co.jp

What are precision positioning stages used for?

Precision positioning stages are used to accurately move and position components in manufacturing and automation equipment. Typical applications include assembly machines, inspection systems, semiconductor equipment, packaging machinery, and machine vision systems. IKO positioning stages combine precision linear motion guides with ball screws or linear motors to achieve accurate and repeatable positioning.

How do I select the right precision positioning stage?

The optimal stage depends on several factors, including:

Required travel length
Positioning accuracy
Load capacity
Speed requirements
Installation space
Environmental conditions

IKO offers ball screw driven stages, linear motor stages, and high-precision positioning tables for a wide range of automation applications.

What is the difference between a ball screw stage and a linear motor stage?

Ball screw stages provide high thrust force, excellent positioning accuracy, and cost-effective performance for many automation systems.

Linear motor stages eliminate mechanical transmission components, enabling higher speeds, faster response, and zero backlash for demanding positioning applications.

The best choice depends on the application's speed, accuracy, and load requirements.

Which positioning stages are suitable for manufacturing automation equipment?

Manufacturing automation equipment often requires high repeatability, long service life, and easy integration.

IKO positioning stages are commonly used in:

Automated assembly equipment
Inspection equipment
Semiconductor manufacturing equipment
Packaging machinery
Pick-and-place systems
Machine vision systems

Product selection depends on the required accuracy, payload, and cycle time.

What positioning accuracy can precision positioning stages achieve?

Positioning accuracy varies depending on the stage design, drive system, encoder configuration, and operating conditions.

High-precision positioning stages can achieve sub-micron positioning performance for applications such as semiconductor manufacturing, optical inspection, and precision assembly systems.

IKO offers stage solutions ranging from general automation positioning to ultra-high precision motion applications.

Does IKO Canada provide engineering support for positioning stage applications?

Yes. IKO Canada provides engineering support for precision positioning stage applications across Canada.

Our engineers can help with:

Manufacturing automation equipment
Assembly systems
Inspection equipment
Semiconductor manufacturing equipment
Machine vision systems
Motion system selection and integration

Support is available from initial product selection through final system implementation.

Contact an IKO engineer to discuss your application requirements and receive product recommendations.

👉 Request engineering support: https://www.ikocanada.com/contact

itc@ikonet.co.jp

647-931-3933