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IKO Nippon Thompson Europe BV
About us
Founded in 1950, IKO Nippon Thompson is a global pioneer and leader in the manufacture of high-quality motion components. Guided by our core philosophy—Innovation, Know-how, and Originality—we were the first manufacturer in Japan to develop needle roller bearings and have since evolved into world-renowned "experts in MOTION."
Today, we specialise in three core engineering fields: Needle Roller Bearings, Linear Motion Rolling Guides (Linear Ways), and Mechatronic Precision Positioning Tables. Marketed worldwide under the trusted IKO brand, our ultra-precision products serve as vital components across sophisticated industries, including robotics, semiconductor manufacturing, and machine tools. Through our dedicated European network, including specialised technical and warehousing facilities in the UK, we provide the localised engineering support, modifications, and high-value-added solutions our global customers rely on to drive next-generation machinery.
1) Linear Motion Rolling Guides
Precision guiding systems which reduce friction to an absolute minimum, providing exceptional positioning accuracy, high rigidity, and predictable reliability over long operations. Available in steel ball types for low friction and cylindrical roller types for ultra-heavy loads, they range from the world’s smallest 1mm track rails up to large-scale, robust designs.
2) Needle Roller Bearings
High-performance rotary bearings featuring cylindrical rollers. We were the first developer of needle roller bearings in Japan. IKO offers a vast range, including shell-type, machined-type, and specialised thrust or cage assemblies, crossed-roller and many more.
They have an extremely low sectional height and a lightweight design, yet they offer an incredibly high load-carrying capacity and rigidity relative to their size.
3) Mechatronics Series
Advanced precision positioning tables and automated stages that seamlessly integrate IKO's mechanical precision machining with electronics. These systems incorporate linear-motion rolling guides alongside a ball screw, belt, or linear motor.
By combining the positioning table and electrical control elements into a single, standardised unit, they deliver micron-level repeatability and precision accuracy.
Products & services
Mechatronics Solutions
IKO designs and manufactures a wide variety of specialized tables that serve as reliable positioning mechanisms within industrial equipment and machinery. Multiple styles and sizes available Sizes range from micro and nano models to long stroke versions. Widely used in multiple industries, from semiconductor and flat panel display manufacturing to high-precision equipment. Available styles include positioning tables with ball screw drives, tables with linear motor drives and specialized models such as rotary tables, alignment modules and stages, elevating tables and programmable controllers to meet the needs of specific applications.
Rotary Bearings
IKO designs and develops needle roller bearings to enable reliable and smooth rotational motion in numerous applications. This unique design incorporates a thin, needle-shaped roller into the moving element to achieve high load capacity in a small footprint. Multiple styles and sizes available Lower cross-section height and higher load capacity than traditional ball bearings. Small and compact for reduced overall machine size in lightweighting efforts. Widely used in automobiles, motorcycles, printing presses, industrial robots, construction equipment and other demanding applications. Many styles to choose from including: radial, thrust and combined models, cam followers and roller followers.
Linear Rails & Carriages
Multiple styles and sizes available Sizes range from tiny to extra large, from the world’s smallest track rail featuring a 1-mm width to those built for high rigidity and load capacity in huge machines. Used in many industries such as semiconductor, medical, life sciences, solar, machine tool and construction. Available styles include roller type rolling guides, ball type rolling guides, ball splines, anti-creep crossed roller ways, ball slides, and both linear and rotary bushings to meet the needs of different applications and machine geometries.
