In 1971, THK was established in Meguro-ku, Tokyo, under its first name, Toho Seiko Co., Ltd. In 1972, THK became the first company in the world to develop a method of linear motion with rolling contact and began manufacturing and selling linear motion (LM) guides. In 1977, THK's Kofu Plant, the first full-scale LM Guide production plant, was established. This was THK's first step in expanding production facilities. THK then took operations worldwide and expanded to North America and Germany. Its product line expanded to include ball splines and ball screws, LM Guides, actuators and cross-roller rings. It later developed its patented caged ball design, which consists of a plastic structure that provides a pocket in which the metal balls roll and stay separated. This design reduces wear and friction, retains lubricant that provides longer service life for the bearings and adds noise reduction during operation.
In the last ten years alone, THK has sold enough LM guides that if lined up would circle the globe at the equator.
THK's products can be found in robotics, manufacturing machinery, medical/surgical devices, packaging and semi-conductor manufacturing.
"We are proud of all we have accomplished over the past 50 years," said Ed Johnson, vice president of sales, THK America. "We are the components that go inside of what you build, and we are pleased that so many of our customers have honored us as a valued partner. We all have the need to move forward and whether you measure that movement in sub-microns or in meters, THK will continue to listen to your needs and provide the solutions to exceed them. The only limitation is your imagination, because if you can think it, we can assist you in designing and building it."
