Corporate Philosophy and History
Working to Create a Sustainable Society by Increasing Corporate Value through Product Development
Guided by our Corporate Philosophy, which spurred the advent of rolling motion for linear motion in machines and continues to drive ongoing development of new products tailored to customer needs, we have preserved the principles on which our company was founded all the way to the present day.
1970s
Invention and Launch of the LM Guide
1971
Founded in Meguro, Tokyo
1971
LBS
This ball spline in the form of a rolling guide spline bearing set the stage forlater LM Guide developments.
It won the Grand Prize from the Japan Society for the Advancement of Inventions in 1979.
LBS
1972
LSR
This was the first LM Guide to achieve high accuracy, high rigidity, and smooth motion.
It was registered in the National Museum of Nature and Science’s database of materials on the history of industrial technology in 2021.
LSR
1980s
Global Development
1981
Established THK America, Inc.
1982
Established THK Europe GmbH
1989
Initial public stock offering
1990s
New Product Developments with Compact Models and Caged Ball Technology
1990
KR
This fusion of an electric actuator, an LM Guide, and a ball screw is compact, highly rigid, and easy to work with.
KR
1996
SSR
In this Caged Ball LM Guide, balls are covered by a resin cage and hold grease between them. The SSR provides long service life, long-term maintenance-free operation, and low noise.
It won the Technology Award from the Japan Society for Precision Engineering in 2000.
SSR
2000s
Products Developed to Reduce Environmental Impact, Solve Social Problems, and Provide Labor Savings
2001
Listed in the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange
2007
Seismic Isolation Table
Seismic isolation tables deflect earthquake tremors to minimize damage.
Seismic Isolation Table
2010s
2011
SPR/SPS
Featuring eight ball raceways, these LM Guide models rival static pressure guides.
They won the Technology Award from the Japan Society for Precision Engineering in 2009.
SPR/SPS
2016
General-Purpose Gripper
This compact, lightweight, general-purpose gripper has a built-in controller and can grip objects of various sizes.
In 2016, it won the Review Committee's Special Award at the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun’s 46th Industrial Machinery Design Awards.
General-Purpose Gripper
2017
Headquarters relocated to Minato, Tokyo
2017
WLS Low-Torque Shaft Unit
Spun by even light winds, this shaft unit for wind turbines offers highly efficient power generation.
It won the New Energy Award and Chairman’s Award from the New Energy Foundation in 2018.
WLS Low-Torque Shaft Unit
2020s
Transforming into a Manufacturing and Innovative Services Company
2020
OMNIedge is an IoT solution for reducing loss that occurs on the manufacturing floor and maximizing OEE (overall equipment effectiveness).
2020
Transfer Robot SIGNAS®
The SIGNAS® transfer robot does away with route tape thanks to built-in cameras that identify signposts thatserve as guides.
It received the Invention Incentive Award at the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation’s 2024 Kanto Region Commendation for Invention.
Transfer Robot SIGNAS®
2020
PPR Pick-and-Place Robot
This lifting and rotating robot possesses a force-sensing function for shortening cycle times and reducing damage often incurred during transfer and inspection in semiconductor post-processing and electronic component assembly.
PPR Pick-and-Place Robot