Glide Screw™ Combines the Features of a Linear Bearing and Screw in One Compact Package

IntroductionWhat is a Glide Screw™? Part linear bearing, part lead screw; a combination of two favorites to create something better than both. The patent-pending Glide Screw brings high performance, fast installation and less complexity in a small package. Standard Sizes and Configurations Stocked for Immediate Availability • Metric Series includes 4, 6 and 10 mm nominal diameters • Inch Series includes 3/16", 1/4" and 3/8" nominal diameters • Flanged and cylindrical nut bodies standard • High temperature resistant - inside ovens or autoclaves (up to 175 °C) • Clean room - in robot vacuum chambers,...

Glide Screw™ Benefits of the Glide Screw Technology The Glide Screw combines the features of a linear bearing and a lead screw in one smooth operating package. Inch and metric sizes are standard. Custom sizes are also available quickly and to your specification. Glide Screw Lubrication Block Radial Bearing Reduced Footprint •7 Integrated lead screw / linear bearing •7 Side load / moment load capable Improved Equipment Uptime •7 Screw and linear bearing are already aligned •7 Component alignment is not critical – smooth and quiet motion •7 Integrated lubrication block – Thomson Lube for Life standard...

Innovative and portable multi-axis printers / engravers are revolutionizing rapid prototyping and consumer products. The Glide Screw can reduce the number of components, decrease system complexity, decrease assembly time and produce a better machine as decribed in the table below. It requires no maintenance, can shorten overall guided length and has a longer life which makes our Thomson Glide Screw the better design solution and less expensive overall.

Glide Screw™ Other Application IdeasFluid Pumps Syringe pumps and integrated fluid pumps are a growing segment of the medical industry. The stringent demands of these customers require smaller, cleaner, smoother, and quieter products. This is exactly the challenge the Glide Screw was designed to solve. Lab automation and diagnostics require faster and more accurate systems in smaller footprints. Optimized for z-axis applications requiring the smallest footprint, the Glide Screw can replace traditional linear guided products that are overdesigned and more expensive. Other Applications The Glide...

Engineering The Glide ScrewTM is designed to actuate a moment load or a side load without additional linear guidance or support. Therefore, the screw deflection is the determinant feature and the following charts must be used when properly sizing a Glide Screw for an application. How the Glide Screw Works The unique design of Glide Screw allows it to handle axial, radial and moment loads without additional guidance. The result is an efficient and space saving design that is quick and easy to install with reduced maintenance needs compared to traditional solutions. axial load axial load radial...

Glide Screw™ Engineering Moment Load and Radial Load Charts Determine your end support configuration and then use the following charts to properly size the nominal diameter of the Glide Screw. Select a product diameter that lies above and/or to the right of the design moment or load. The lead of a Glide Screw is defined as the axial distance traveled for one revolution of the screw. Select the appropriate lead of your screw based on the desired speed and resolution of travel. Note that the Glide Screw is limited to 300 RPM. Moment load [in-lbs] Inch Diameter Models Metric Diameter Models Screw...

Specifications and Part NumbersGlide Screw™ configurations GSF - screw and flanged nut assembly GSC - screw and cylindrical nut assembly Inch Series Dimensions * Efficiency stated for applied axial load only. Moment load reduces efficiency proportional to the magnitude applied. Reduction of up to 50% of the efficiency stated here are possible. Standard Products • Acetal nut body with all stainless steel internal components • 303 stainless steel screw • Integrated Lube for Life lubrication block • Clean Room ISO 7 (Class 10000)

Glide Screw™ End Machining Recommended end machining Part number example 1: Glide screw with flanged nut: Diam. 6 mm, lead 12 mm, metric: Fixed / fixed end support type: Overall length 200 mm: Complete part number: Part number example 2: GSF 6X12M FF -200 GSF6X12MFF-200 Glide screw with cylindrical nut: Diam. 3/8“, lead 0.500” Fixed / simple end support type: Overall length 12.0”: Complete part number: End support type fixed / fixed (FF) Inch Series End Machining Dimensions Screw Screw Diam. Lead [in] [in] Recommended Bearing Metric Series End Machining Dimensions Screw Screw Diam. Lead [mm]...

InstallationComparing Alternative TechnologiesThe Glide Screw™ is both drive system and linear guide, so these features are already perfectly aligned and cannot bind. Therefore, installation is simple and the mating components do not require high tolerance geometric features. Drive and Guide Technology Comparison

Glide Screw™ Installation Basic Installation Guidlines The success of the Glide Screw in an application is primarily dependent on the end support configuration. Since the Glide Screw is a combination of a lead screw and linear bearing, the ability to handle non-axial loads while maintaining positional accuracy is the key to a successful installation. The load capacity curves are based on screw deflection and not the lead nut capacity. Therefore, stiffness of the assembly determines load capacity. Installation Step-by-Step 1. Select end support configuration A fixed bearing support should be selected...

Contact us or any of our 2000+ global distribution partners by scanning the code below or visiting www.thomsonlinear.com/contact www.regalrexnord.com www.thomsonlinear.com Glide_Screw_BRUK-0002-04 | 20260305SK | MCB-12395-TL-EN-A4 03/26 Specifications are subject to change without notice. It is the responsibility of the product user to determine the suitability of this product for a specific application. All trademarks property of their respective owners. ©2026 Thomson Industries, Inc. | 2400 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515 USA