Crossed roller bearings are widely used in precision systems due to their high rigidity and smooth motion. Their crossed roller arrangement improves load capacity and stability.

Choosing the right bearing requires evaluating performance, space and durability. Factors like cage type, travel limits and wear resistance all influence reliability, especially in demanding applications.

As NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft journeys toward Jupiter to capture unprecedented imagery, its success is rooted in rigorous ground testing. At NASA Langley’s Experimental Test Range (ETR) in Hampden, Va., a high‑precision rail system—developed by AVS|US Inc. (formerly ADC USA, Inc.)—played a critical role in validating high‑gain antenna performance... (read more)

To support our core product line, we can customize many components with accessories and optional features such as sensors, mounting options, and different materials and surface coatings such as Industrial Chrome Plating Electroless Nickel Plating, Black Oxide Low Temperature, Black Chrome Treatment (With Fluoride Coating). Please contact us for other surface treatments. (read more)

SoIving Precision Manufacturing Pain Points with STUDROLLER Technology

Motion control systems are commonly challenged with vibration, misalignment and premature wear issues, particularly in high-speed and/or high-load environments.

Engineered with rollers that distribute loads over a larger surface area, NB’s STUDROLLER technology addresses these... (read more)

NB Corporation's FIT Series of slide bush and shaft assemblies optimize clearance between shaft and bush. NB's precision manufacturing assures customers the best clearance for their needs.

There is no need to accept maximum clearances of + 17 microns when NB's FIT series offers just + 4 microns. Shaft end placement deviation is reduced 70% from the standard 0.046mm when compared w... (read more)

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When you’re facing a linear motion requirement — whether it’s general machinery, optical equipment or high-precision measurement machines — NB has your solution. Our experts applied their decades of experience to designing and manufacturing award-winning linear rails, slides, bearings, and guides for a vast array of industry needs.

To o... (read more)

Linear motion bearings are bearings that are made to move in a particular direction, and they come in a wide array of different designs. Some linear slides are motorized, others are not. Examples of the former include roller and XY tables as well as machine and dovetail slides. Non-motorized slides include dovetail, roller and ball bearing varieties, which allow for movement with a minim... (read more)

Why is the BG Ball Screw Actuator called a linear stage?

Because all linear stages consist of a platform and a base, joined by some form of guide or linear bearing in such a way that the platform is restricted to linear motion with respect to the base.

But NB's Ball Screw Actuator presents a compact single axis actuator with a unique “U” shaped integrated slide... (read more)

But the linear stage that they had created, even after trying the crossed-roller linear bearings from some of the biggest manufacturers, was not running perfectly smoothly. They chose crossed roller bearings because they provide more linear motion accuracy, rigidity, and weight-bearing capacity than other friction-reducing devices such as ball bearings – plus supporting greater mom... (read more)

“Bearings housed in carriages and tables can ride on round shafts or square profile rails. Here’s a look at the advantages of each when an application demands guided linear motion.”

Engineers faced with a linear-motion application often turn to pre-engineered linear bearings and guides. But linear guides come in two basic shapes – round and square – a... (read more)

TOPBALL® , NB’s Self-aligning Linear Ball Bushing’s have precision tolerances because they’re ground - not stamped. Compact with high load capacites, they’re ideal for new designs and interchangeable for retrofitting. TOPBALL® TW line has 3X the load capacity and 27X more travel life than conventional bushings. TOPBALL® Ultimate has almost 60X more tra... (read more)

NB Slide Ways are non-recirculating linear motion bearings used primarily in optical and measurement equipment where high precision movement is required. The SV style consists of 2 roller cages with precision rollers in a cross arrangement and four rails with V-shaped raceways. The SVW has one rail with V-shaped grooves on both sides and 2 SV rails. Catalog contains all dimensions... (read more)

The Advantages of a Perfect

Our FIT Series of slide bush and shaft assemblies optimize clearance between shaft and bush. NB's precision manufacturing assures customers of the best clearance. FIT saves the time and money of designing in clearance adjustable housings for standard slide bush, slide rotary bush or stroke bush.

Due to the combined tolerances of a bush

First, what are the application requirements?

• Machine type that will activate the bearings
• Space needed in the equipment
• Environmental conditions
• Desired accuracy

STEP 1.Determine which type of bearing system should meet the requirements, i.e. slide guides, ball splines, round shaft products, slide shafts, slide ways including tables,... (read more)

The SPLFS Type is a spline with little dynamic friction resistance and its outer diameter is approximately 20% less than conventional types – a significant space saving. Because all components are made of stainless steel, SPLFS Type ball splines are suitable for high temp, clean room, and vacuum environments.

Available in 16 standard and customizable shaft size... (read more)

When designing for very-high-load applications, slide products must incorporate many features not found in conventional bushings:

• Greater control over load-bearing capabilities and precision accuracy of linear motion is provided by properly ground load plates—rather than less expensive and lower-quality stamped plates.
• Dispersion of the entire load, whi...

Crossed roller bearings provide more accuracy, rigidity, and weight-bearing capacity for linear motion than other commonly used friction-reducing devices such as ball bearings. And unlike ball bearings, they can support moment loads, radial forces or tilting loads. This lets one crossed roller bearing replace more than one ball bearing, thus saving the space required by ball bearings, lo... (read more)

“Bearings housed in carriages and tables can ride on round shafts or square profile rails. Here’s a look at the advantages of each when an application demands guided linear motion.”

Engineers faced with a linear-motion application often turn to pre-engineered linear bearings and guides. But linear guides come in two basic shapes – round and square – a... (read more)

Is This The Linear Motion Component You’re Using For Wafer Manufacturing

We're not referring to linear bearings that incorporate ball bearings - meaning friction is reduced between moving parts by recirculating (usually metal) balls. We're referring to the bearing most in demand for movement that requires the highest degree of precision - such as microprocessor... (read more)

NB Ball Splines have no backlash because precisely ground (not drawn) raceways conform to the shape of the ball in the nut and shaft so opposing raceways have the same angles of contact. The spline shaft is straighter than the competitions - eliminating rotational vibration. Endlessly adaptable to high load linear motions.16 standard and customizable shaft sizes with diameters from 4mm t... (read more)

To support our core product line, we can customize many components with accessories and optional features such as sensors, mounting options, and different materials and surface coatings such as Industrial Chrome Plating Electroless Nickel Plating, Black Oxide Low Temperature, Black Chrome Treatment (With Fluoride Coating). Please contact us for other surface treatments.

Learn More (read more)

NB's BG Type is a compact single axis actuator that integrates a Slide Guide and Precision Ball Screw. BG Type offers compact dimensions, which outperforms conventional positioning tables. This is made possible by a unique "U" shaped Guide Rail and Slide Block that provides multiple functions of a Guide Block and a Ball Screw Nut combined into a single unit. The "U" shaped Guide Rail des... (read more)

In this Design Guide, we build on the information presented in previous Design Guides & explain the parameters employed to properly specify linear bearings — especially those relating to the accuracy, life, & preload.
Download Guide

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The rigidity of a linear system must be taken into consideration when it is to be used in high-precision positioning devices or high-precision machinery. Preloaded slide guides and ball splines, which use balls as the rolling elements, are available upon request to meet the need for greater rigidity. If a force is applied to the ball elements without preload, an elastic deformation propo... (read more)

There are three types of Linear Actuators used in manufacturing: Hydraulic, Pneumatic, and Electro-Mechanical. Hydraulic actuators are primarily used for moving very heavy loads, in the same way, that large construction equipment often operates off of hydraulic pressure. Pneumatic actuators, by comparison, are good for extremely fast applications, where the lightweight components and low... (read more)

Ball Splines and Rotary Ball Splines produced by NB - Nippon Bearing

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A roller bearing is a cylindrical unit that is used to provide low-friction movement for a bushing or bearing block. A ball bearing is a spherical unit that accomplishes the same objective as a roller bearing. The real difference has to do with the contact surface between the bearing and the rail. For ball bearings (assuming a perfectly spherical bearing and no deformation), the contact... (read more)

The life of a linear system is expressed in terms of the distance traveled. Therefore, the life of a linear system is calculated reversely by using the allowable load that achieves a certain travel distance. This allowable load is called the basic dynamic load rating. The basic dynamic load rating is defined as a constant load in weight and direction that can achieve a travel distance of... (read more)

At NB, our Spindle Units are meticulously crafted to exceed even the most rigorous standards, ensuring unparalleled precision and reliability. Our renowned shaft series has not only become a staple in general industrial machinery but has also elevated the performance of semiconductor fabrication systems and specialized equipment. To guarantee exceptional durability, we utilize high-carbo... (read more)

The Innovative anti-cage creep STUDROLLER™ System developed by NB - Nippon Bearing eliminates cage creep completely.

The NB NV and NVT types crossed roller slide guide and table comprise precisely ground rails and R-retainers with built-in STUDROLLERs and precision rollers. The rails have been optimally designed so that the STUDROLLERs move smoothly, and the STUDROLLERs and... (read more)

Can a bearing be used for both Linear and Rotational motion? (read more)

NB ball splines are comprised of a shaft and nut assembly. Ball spline shafts feature raceway grooves. Nut assemblies consist of an outer cylinder, retainer, side rings and ball elements. This type of configuration offers many advantages, including:

• Reliably smooth motion with specially designed spline nut and shaft
• High load capacity and long travel life are...

The HV Type is a major and compatible improvement of our SV Type.

• Reduces unit size while keeping the equivalent performance
• Improves durability

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NB Ball Splines have no backlash because precisely ground (not drawn) raceways conform to the shape of the ball in the nut and shaft so opposing raceways have the same angles of contact. The spline shaft is straighter than the competition's – eliminating rotational vibration. Endlessly adaptable to high-load linear motions. 16 standard and customizable shaft sizes with diameters fr... (read more)

♦Mounting is completely compatible with SV Type.

♦Improve durability of the installed equipment by simple replacement.

♦ Offers unit size reduction while keeping the equivalent performance.

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NB Spindle Units are precision manufactured to meet your most demanding specifications affording unparalleled consistency. NB’s uniquely precise shaft series [SPINDLE UNIT] is not only widely used in general industrial machines, it has improved the performance of semiconductor fabrication machines and and various special-purpose devices.

For excellent wear resistance, NB use... (read more)

Of course crossed roller bearings provide more linear motion accuracy, rigidity, and weight-bearing capacity than other friction-reducing devices such as ball bearings – plus they support greater radial forces, moment or tilting loads. One crossed roller bearing replaces multiple ball bearings, saving space and costs. The best crossed-roller slideways, allow under 2 microns deflect... (read more)

What is the difference between a bushing and a bearing? A bushing is a round shaped cylindrical component. It is either equipped with rolling elements (ball, roller) or not and mainly used as a support component in an assembly to reduce machine wear out and for smooth operation. Its primary use is static (support) or dynamic (motion). On the other hand, a bearing is a machine ele... (read more)

The NB linear systems are heat-treated in order to harden the surface. Therefore, if the temperature of the linear system exceeds 100℃, the hardness and load rating will be reduced (refer to page Life, hardness coefficient). If resin is used in any one of the components, the system cannot be used in a high-temperature environment. The recommended operating temperature ranges for ea... (read more)

NB Corporation's SGL slide guides are all high-precision, high-rigidity, high load capacity linear bearings with low friction, non-stick or slip mechanisms that provide smooth linear motion even under high loads.

These SGL Slide Guides range from 160mm lengths to 3000mm lengths. Six types of blocks are available depending on the mounting space and desired mounting method. The thre... (read more)

Ball Screw Spline SPBR/SPBF

One single axis makes positioning, linear and rotary motion all possible!

The NB Ball Screw Spline consists of a high accuracy, high rigidity Ball Screw nut and Ball Spline nut attached to the ball screw spline shaft which has a screw groove and spline grooves. SPBR type has a Rotary Ball Screw nut and Rotary Ball Spline nut. Rotary Ball Screw nu... (read more)

Linear motion bearings are bearings that are made to move in a particular direction, and they come in a wide array of different designs. Some linear slides are motorized, others are not. Examples of the former include roller and XY tables as well as machine and dovetail slides. Non-motorized slides include... (read more)

Metal and plastic cages both effectively float between the bearing’s rails and they both tend to drift away from the bearing’s longitudinal center over time, a phenomenon called cage creep. It happens when the linear bearing only makes partial strokes, especially when mounted vertically. The cage can restrict slide travel because once the cage has moved and the bearing makes... (read more)

...... With Tapped or Threaded Shafts or Off-The-Shelf.

Our most requested diameters and pre-cut lengths are available with ends precisely machined. (read more)

Load and Moment

A load is applied to the linear systems as the figure below shows. Sometimes moment loads are applied to, for example, slide guides. Load and moment are defined as follows.

When excess load or impact load is applied to the linear systems while it is stationary or moving slowly, a permanent deformation occurs on the rolling elements and the race way. If this... (read more)

Cross Roller Linear Slide Guides | NB Slide Way

The NB SLIDE WAY is a non-recirculating crossed roller slide way utilizing precision rollers. It is used primarily in optical and measurement equipment where high precision movement is required.

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The TOPBALL linear motion mechanism is a self-aligning high load capacity linear ball bushing incorporating many unique features that make it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications. TOPBALL linear ball bushings are often used in automated factory equipment and industrial machines, optical and measuring instruments, and any other application that requires precision, light we... (read more)

This NB STUDROLLER™ crossed-roller linear bearing is perfect for motion control applications with extremely fast acceleration and deceleration (at dimensions ranging from 30-600mm lengths, 1-12 mm rollers, endurance is 150 million cycles), NB’s new NV type crossed roller bearing's Anti-Creep Cage Technology guarantees zero slippage.

NB, by placing studs in the center r... (read more)

Place a recirculating-ball bushing on a shaft and what do you get? Frictionless movement of the shaft.

But, create grooves along the axial length of the shaft that correspond to the radius of the bushing’s ball elements and you’ve got frictionless linear movement coupled with two important characteristics – those being anti-rotation torque transfer and higher loa... (read more)

Understanding the options available for slide guides makes finding the best one for your application easier (read more)