The leading developer and supplier of linear motion technology, THK, has announced that it will be extending its Supply Sphere partnership programme still further through two new strategic alliances with encoder manufacturer Renishaw and the linear control company, HMK. These complement the existing alliance with Parker Electromechanical and will enable THK to offer fully integrated linear motion solutions to its customers throughout industry, backed by a full system design, prototyping and programming service.
THK’s linear motion guides, actuators, slides and bearings form the core of any motion system. As the Company’s Business Development Manager, Michael Pearce, explains, “Although we manufacture a comprehensive range of products our customers across many industry sectors are increasingly looking for integrated solutions. With employment and economic trends they often don’t have the time, resources or even expertise to source multiple components from several different suppliers. OEMs and machine builders benefit from complete systems or sub-systems assembled and tested ready for immediate installation.
This importing of expertise enables our customers to reduce costs by having a reduced supplier base and minimum inventory. It’s about listening to the needs of business today and interpreting them into a relevant offering be that product or service.
We have recognised this trend and have worked closely with customers to identify how best to develop our strategy. This has led to the development of our Supply Sphere project, where we are forging strategic alliances with key partners to enable us to bring together complementary technologies and skills as part of a combined package of linear motion solutions, for use throughout industry.”
The alliance with Parker Electromechanical was announced earlier in 2003 and resulted in Parker stepper and servo motors and controllers being offered with THK actuators and guides in integrated linear motor products. Now, with the announcement of the two new alliances with Renishaw and HMK, THK will be offering a far wider range of linear motion systems, incorporating Renishaw’s range of encoder technology, with HMK providing dedicated drive and control programming expertise together with after sales support.
Michael Pearce adds that, “Our objectives are to make linear motion technology accessible to all customers, simplify the process of machine movement and provide a customer friendly source for automation systems. We see alliances with key industry players as the way forward to bringing together core competencies to customers the results being systems that offer high performance, reliability and quality, while driving down the costs associated with design, installation and maintenance”.
