Thomson Linear Motion Optmized
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Overview
Thomson Precision Balls
Thomson Precision Balls has over 60 years as a leader in supplying standard precision balls, precision ball bearings and unique stainless steel balls for specific applications. Why Thomson Precision Balls? Three answers: our variety of precision ball types, our precision ball bearings technologies and our quality stainless steel ball materials.
Types of Thomson Precision Ball design would include:
- Distinctively shaped precision balls including flat, diagonally cut, cone- and pin-shaped typically used as hardened polishing and shaping tools.
- A drilled precision ball bearings solution with a full range of sizes, hole depths (including thru-hole), diameters and materials.
- Coated precision stainless steel balls add layers to enhance certain physical properties including hardness, corrosion resistance, noise suppression and electrical features.
- Hollow precision balls are most needed in applications where weight sensitivity is critical.
Types of Thomson Precision Ball Bearings and Stainless Steel Ball technologies that enhance our quality include:
- A2LA accredited calibration lab offers effective, efficient and accurate calibrations to assure form regularities in our precision balls.
- Custom value added in our subassemblies including complete stainless steel balls solution offerings. We have extensive in-house tool room capabilities and offer rapid stainless steel ball prototyping.
- Stainless steel ball transfers are typically used to assist the transport of various items and can be found in material handling systems.
- All precision balls and stainless steel balls are guaranteed to meet or exceed the standards of the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ANSI/ABMA Std. 10-1989).
- QA-9000 certified and ISO 9002 registered.
Types of Thomson Precision Ball materials include (most common):
- Vacuum-degassed Chrome stainless steel balls (AISI E52100) feature fine surface finish, through-hardness and high load capacity – excellent in consumable electrode vacuum melt material.
- Stainless Steel ball (AISI Type 440C) offers the greatest hardness and surface finish and is available in double-vacuum-melted materials.
- Stainless Steel balls (AISI Type 302/316) feature non-annealed hardness, uniform throughout (as measured on parallel flats) and is typically Rockwell “C” 25 to 39†. Annealed hardness Rockwell “B” 75 to 90† available.
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Material
Chrome Steel 52100
High Chrome Carbon steel, typically known as Chrome Steel, is a workhorse of the precision motion industry. It is the most common material in radial bearings, linear bearings, and ball screws. All Thomson’s standard products meet AMS-6440 at a minimum and are through-hardened to HRC 60-67 to achieve a fine surface finish and high load capacity. Single lot hardness typically is within two (2) points. Our Chrome 52100 balls ship with a preservative light oil. If you require dry product, please contact Customer Service.
Stainless Steel 440C
Type 440C Stainless Steel has similar physical properties to Chrome Steel with a higher corrosion resistance to many common fluids. It is commonly used in specialty radial bearings, linear bearings, and ball screws as well as check-valves and plug balls. All Thomson’s standard products meet AMS-5630 at a minimum and are through-hardened to HRC 58-65 to achieve a fine surface finish and high load capacity. Single lot hardness typically is within two (2) points. All Stainless steel from Thomson is passivated.
Stainless Steel 430
Type 430 Stainless steel is an unheated treated, economical stainless material that provides corrosion resistance at low cost. Typical applications for this product include cosmetic mixing media, decorative trim, and light duty ball valves. For SS430, Grade 1000 is standard. All Stainless steel from Thomson is passivated.
Stainless Steel 302
Type 302 Stainless Steel is widely used in the food industry for its good corrosion resistance and economical costs. It is commonly known as 18-8 stainless. Its non-annealed hardness, created by cold working, is typically Rockwell “C” 25 to 39. Type 302 can be annealed to remove any cold worked magnetism and will result in a hardness of Rockwell “B” 75 to 90. For Type 302, Grade 100 is standard. All Stainless steel from Thomson is passivated.
Stainless Steel 316
Type 316 Stainless Steel is a more corrosion resistant version of the 300 series than 302, mainly due to the higher levels of Molybdenum and Nickel. Its non-annealed hardness, created by cold working, is typically Rockwell “C” 25 to 39. Type 302 can be annealed to remove any cold worked magnetism and will result in a hardness of Rockwell “B” 75 to 90. For Type 316, Grade 100 is standard. All Stainless steel from Thomson is passivated.
Stainless Steel 440A
Type 440A Stainless Steel has similar physical properties to 440C with a lower carbon level for workability. Thomson uses 440A for our Aerospace hollow balls. Our 440A hollow balls meet AMS-5630 and are heat treated for strength and through-hardened to HRC 52-60.
Brass
Brass balls provide excellent resistance to corrosion in water, is nonmagnetic, is an excellent electrical conductor, and is very machine-able. Its typical hardness is Rockwell “B” 75 to 87.
Silicon Nitride Ceramic
Silicon Nitride Balls are a popular choice among bearing designs and other high precision product applications. When compared to steel, this material offers a 60% reduction in weight, up to twice the material hardness, a coefficient of thermal expansion that is 70% less than steel, and a temperature operating range up to 1800° F (982° C). Silicon nitride balls are non-corrosive, anti-magnetic, and excel in low noise, high rigidity, and high load carrying applications. Thomson’s products are made to exceed ASTM F2094 Class II.
| Industrial Atmosphere | Hydraulic Oils (Petroleum) | Fresh Water | Salt Water | Food Products | Fruit and Veggie Juices | Milk | Alcohol | Hydrochloric Acid 40% | Sulfuric Acid 40% | Phosphoric 40% | Nitric Acid 40% | Citric Acid | Ammonia Liquids | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52100 Chrome | C | A | D | D | - | - | - | C | - | - | - | - | C | B |
| 440C Stainless | B | A | C | C | B | - | A | A | D | D | A | A | A | A |
| 302 Stainless | B | A | B | B | A | - | A | - | - | - | A | - | - | - |
| 316 Stainless | B | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | D | D | A | A | A | A |
| Brass | C | B | C | C | D | - | C | C | - | D | D | - | D | - |
| Monel | C | A | A | B | D | C | C | A | D | - | C | - | - | A |
| Nylon | A | A | A | A | - | A | A | A | D | D | D | D | C | - |
| Viton | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | D |
| Ceramic | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | C | D | C | A | A | A |
| Titanium | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | A | C | C | - | A | A | - |
Letters indicating order of preference: A = Excellent, B = Good, C = Fair, D = Poor
Diameter
Standard Ball Diameter is the value that is used for the purpose of general identification of a ball size (1/4”, 6mm, etc). Check out our “Quality Assurance” section to learn about measuring a ball.
Specific Diameter is the amount by which the lot mean diameter differs from the nominal diameter, accurate to the container marking increment for that grade. The specific diameter should be marked on the unit container
Thomson Precision Ball offers a full range of sizes from 0.011 inch to over 2.0 inches in diameter, in US standard and metric sizes. Our specialty is product as small as 1mm and up to 1/2 inch in diameter.
Grade
The ball grade is a specific combination of dimensional form and surface roughness tolerance. A ball grade is designated by a grade number. Thomson Precision Ball makes all of our standard products to exceed standard set by ISO 3290.
The specification defines the upper limits of the tolerances. The smaller the Grade number, the more precise the ball is. The chart below is a guidelines based on ISO 3290 and Thomson’s specifications. See our “Quality Assurance” section for additional details.
Gauge
The Ball Gauge is the prescribed small amount by which the lot mean diameter should differ from nominal diameter, this amount being one of an established series of amounts. A ball gauge, in combination with the ball grade and nominal ball diameter, should be considered as the most exact ball size specification to be used by a customer for ordering purposes.
M05 = Nominal -.0005” (1/2” - .0005”)
P05 = Nominal +.0005”
P15 = Nominal +.0010”
As always, if you’re unable to locate the actual diameter, material, grade, or specification here our website, Customer Service would be happy to check our full inventory for you or create a quote for custom material. Since we manufacturer in the USA, we can have your custom product shipped typically in 4 weeks but as little as a week.
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