A Guide to Top 10 Linear Motion Products Companies in the Market, 2023

One-dimensional motion in a straight line represents a linear motion. Ball screws, linear motors & drives, linear guides & tables, linear actuators, linear bearings, and other items are some of the primary goods of linear motion technology. Products, such as machine tools, equipment for semiconductor fabrication, and others, are frequently utilized in different industries. The cylindrical shaft and steel balls of the cage are rolled along with one another by the linear bushing mechanism, establishing a point of contact with the shaft and enabling incredibly precise linear motion with minimal frictional resistance. Ball screws are pieces of machinery that convert a screw shaft's rotation into linear motion. Additionally, the linear guides are a class of bearings that allow for simple motion along rails and have little friction due to the movement of steel balls.

Fortune Business Insights states that the global market size of linear motion products was valued at USD 11.56 billion in 2022. The market is projected to grow from USD 12.21 billion in 2023 to USD 19.62 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Numerous products in the linear motion products sector were stopped being produced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global lockdown. This slowed the market's expansion for linear motion products in 2020 and 2021, and a continuation of this pattern was anticipated in the first half of 2022. The U.S., Germany, Italy, the U.K., and China, which were adversely impacted by the spread of the coronavirus and consequently witnessed a decline in demand for linear motion products, previously accounted for the majority of the demand for such systems.

Fortune Business Insights™ Profiles Top 10 Key Companies in the Linear Motion Products Market

1. UMBRAGROUP

Established in 1972, UMBRAGROUP S.p.A. is an Italy-based company and a global leader in the aviation industry. UMBRAGROUP is among the world’s leading producers of high-precision mechatronic and mechanical components including ball screws and others, tailored for the aerospace market. The company’s offices are located in Italy, Europe, and the U.S.

October 2021: Präzisionskugeln Eltmann GMBH, a branch of Umbragroup, produced steel balls with a surface hardness of around 70 HRC and a diameter of 12.7 mm.

2. NSK Ltd

NSK Ltd. specializes in the production of various mechanical tools and solutions which include bearings, linear products (precision machine components), automotive products, and maintenance products. The company’s range of linear products comprises linear guides, ball screws, linear actuators, mega torque motors, and other precision components.

July 2022: NSK launched a new technology, which significantly broadens ball screw life in high-load applications such as servo presses and injection molding machines.

3. Moog Inc

Based in the U.S., Moog Inc. is a leading designer and manufacturer of hydraulic, electro-hydraulic, and electric motion control systems. It caters to the needs of various sectors including aerospace & defense, industrial, and medical devices. With its primary headquarters in Elma, New York, Moog has engineering, manufacturing, and sales facilities across 26 nations.

June 2022: Moog Inc. announced a partnership with Doosan Bobcat to provide its smart machine electrification system to assist Bobcat in building & designing the world’s first electric compact track loader, the Bobcat T7X, which does not utilize oil or hydraulic parts.

4. August Steinmeyer GmbH & Co. KG

August Steinmeyer GmbH & Co. KG is recognized internationally for its expertise in manufacturing various types of ball screws used in machine tool manufacturing. The company also designs solutions for medical technology. August Steinmeyer’s specially-designed ball screws form an integral part in heavy-duty applications across the aerospace industry.

December 2021: Steinmeyer introduced new miniature ball screws with track-to-track ball returns, including new “PEEK” deflector systems.

5. HIWIN Technologies Corporation

HIWIN Technologies Corporation is one of the largest Taiwan-based companies that specializes in machinery equipment. Established in 1989, HIWIN’s headquarters are located in Taichung, Taiwan. The company is a combination of HI-tech WINner. Linear motion guides, ball screws, and ball splines are among the key offerings provided by HIWIN.

March 2021: HIWIN Technologies Corporation launched a new 2D/3D drawing download function for thin-type crossed roller bearings.

6. Rockwell Automation, Inc

Milwaukee, Wisconsin-headquartered Rockwell Automation is a provider of digital transformation and industrial automation technologies. It operates under three brands: FactoryTalk software, Allen-Bradley, and LifecycleIQ Services. The company has over 26,000 employees across 100 countries globally.

October 2021: Rockwell Automation, Inc., a digital transformation and industrial automation company, completed the purchase of CUBIC, which provides modular systems for the construction of electrical panels.

7. The Timken Company

The Timken Company is a leading producer of power transmission and bearing products worldwide. Timken has operations in 42 nations. In 2014, the company's corporate structure was altered; as a result, it now consists of two distinct firms, one producing roller bearings and the other steel. While TimkenSteel makes steel, The Timken Company still makes roller bearings.

August 2021: Timken Company acquired Intelligent Machine Solutions, an industrial automation and robotics solutions manufacturer. The company broadened and strengthened its Rollon linear motion products series with this acquisition.

8. NTN Corporation

In Japan, NTN Corporation is second only to NSK Ltd. in terms of prominence among bearing producers. One of the biggest exporters of friction-reducing goods, including constant-velocity joints, is the business. All rotating components of autos and industrial machines are supported by NTN bearings, which also help reduce energy consumption in a variety of industries.

June 2022: NTN developed Talking Bearing, a Sensor Integrated Bearing, which incorporates power generation units, sensors, and wireless devices into the bearing and wirelessly transmits information on vibration, temperature, and rotational speed.

9. Thomson Industries, Inc

More than 75 years ago, Thomson pioneered the linear ball bushing bearing, and today it is still the market leader. We easily meet the largest variety of requirements with the best-performing solution for the application by providing the widest selection of bearings and accessories. For applications that are limited by space, Thomson compact linear systems provide thrust and bearing support in a single, compact unit.

July 2022: Thomson Industries upgraded its online ball screw selector tool to include expert guidance, online reconfigurability options, and faster performance.

10. Curtiss-Wright Corporation

Curtiss-Wright is a global innovative company that delivers highly-engineered, critical-function products and services. Leading edge sensors, controls, sub-systems, and mission-critical parts are just some of the products that Curtiss-Wright offers to commercial aerospace, commercial and specialty vehicle, and a wide range of general industrial applications. They also offer crucial services and market-leading valves.

July 2022: Curtiss-Wright Corporation completed the purchase of Safran Aerosystems Arresting Company for USD 240 million. The company is involved in the manufacturing & designing of fixed-wing aircraft emergency arresting systems.

Opportunities and Challenges in the Market

The foundation of various essential components used in cutting-edge industrial machinery is linear-motion technology. For businesses in this sector, maximizing performance in a cost-effective, efficient, and secure way continues to be difficult. Therefore, reducing operating and maintenance costs while increasing vehicle efficiency and longevity, even under the worst conditions, is the aim of all end-users and manufacturers of mobile, off-highway, and construction equipment.

The installation charge is a major barrier to market expansion. When designing linear motion products and systems, various parts such as structural support, guides, lubrication, seals, drives, and accessories between two points are taken into account. To make the motion simpler, the guides are joined to the base. Additionally, ball guides have the highest stiffness and can support heavy payloads. Their single integration or dual-rail motions are lightly abraded.