Service Life (KR)

LM Guide Unit

Nominal Life
Calculating the Nominal Life

The nominal life (L10) of an LM Guide with balls is obtained from the following formula using the basic dynamic load rating (C), which is based on a reference distance of 50 km, and the calculated load acting on the LM Guide (PC ).

  • L10 Nominal life (km)
    C Basic dynamic load rating (N)
    Pc Calculated load (N)

    * This nominal life formula may not apply if the length of the stroke is less than or equal to twice the length of the LM block.

When comparing the nominal life (L10), you must take into account whether the basic dynamic load rating was defined based on 50 km or 100 km. Convert the basic dynamic load rating based on ISO 14728-1 as necessary.
ISO-regulated basic dynamic load rating conversion formula:

  • LM Guide with balls
    C50 Basic dynamic load rating based on a nominal life of 50 km
    C100 Basic dynamic load rating based on a nominal life of 100 km
Calculating the Modified Nominal Life

During use, an LM Guide may be subjected to vibrations and shocks as well as fluctuating loads, which are difficult to detect. In addition, having LM blocks arranged directly behind one another will have a decisive impact on the service life. Taking these factors into account, the modified nominal life (L10m) can be calculated according to the following formula (2).

  • Modified factor α
    α Modified factor
    fc Contact factor (see Table7 )
    fw Load factor (see Table8 )
  • Modified nominal life L10m
    • LM Guide with balls
      L10m Modified nominal life (km)
      C Basic dynamic load rating (N)
      Pc Calculated load (N)
  • If a moment is applied to model KR-A/C or model KR-B/D using two inner blocks in close contact with each other, calculate the equivalent load by multiplying the applied moment by the equivalent factor indicated in Table9.
    Pm Equivalent load (per inner block) (N)
    K Equivalent moment factor
    M Applied moment (N・mm)
    (If planning to use the product with a wide inner block span, contact THK.)
  • If moment Mc is applied to model KR-B/D
  • If a radial load (P) and a moment are simultaneously applied to model KR
    PE Overall equivalent radial load (N)

Perform a nominal life calculation using the above data.

Service Life Time

When the nominal life (L10) has been obtained, the service life time is obtained using the following equation (if the stroke length and the number of reciprocations per minute are constant).

Lh Service life time (h)
s Stroke length (mm)
n1 Number of reciprocations per minute (min-1)

Ball Screw Unit/Bearing Unit(Fixed Side)

Nominal Life
Calculating the Nominal Life

The nominal life (L10) of an LM system is obtained from the following formula using the basic dynamic load rating (C) and the load acting on the ball screw in the axial direction (Fa ).

L10 Nominal life (rev.)
Ca Basic dynamic load rating (N)
Fa Axial load (N)
Calculating the Modified Nominal Life

During use, a ball screw may be subjected to vibrations and shocks as well as fluctuating loads, which are difficult to detect. Taking these factors into account, the modified nominal life (L10m) can be calculated according to the following formula (2).

  • Modified factor α
    α Modified factor α
    fw Load factor (see Table8 )
  • Modified nominal life L10m
    L10m Modified nominal life (rev.)
    α Modified factor
    Ca Basic dynamic load rating (N)
    fa Axial load (N)
Service life time

When the nominal life (L10) has been obtained, the service life time is obtained using the following equation (if the stroke length and the number of reciprocations per minute are constant).

Lh Calculating the Modified Nominal Life
s Stroke length (mm)
n1 Number of reciprocations per minute (min-1)
Ball screw lead (mm)
fc : Contact Factor

If two inner blocks are used in close contact with each other with model KR-B/D, multiply the basic load rating by the corresponding contact factor indicated in Table7 .

Table7 Contact Factor (fC )
Inner block types Contact factor fc
Model KR-B
Model KR-D
0.81
fw : Load Factor

Table8 shows load factors.

Table8 Load Factor (fw )
Vibrations/impact Speed(V) fw
Faint Very low
V≦0.25m/s
1 to 1.2
Weak Slow
0.25m/s<V≦1m/s
1.2 to 1.5
Medium Medium
1m/s<V≦2m/s
1.5 to 2
Strong High
V>2m/s
2 to 3.5
K: Moment Equivalent Factor (LM Guide Unit)

When model KR travels under a moment, the distribution of load applied to the LM Guide is locally large (see Calculating the Applied Load). In such cas- es, calculate the load by multiplying the moment value by the corresponding moment equivalent factor indicated in Table9 .Symbols KA, KB and KC indicate the moment equivalent loads in the MA, MBand MC directions, respectively.

Table9 Equivalent moment factor(K)
Model No. KA KB KC
KR15-A 3.2 × 10‒1 3.2 × 10‒1 9.09 × 10‒2
KR15-B 5.96 × 10‒2 5.96 × 10‒2 9.09 × 10‒2
KR20-A 2.4 × 10‒1 2.4 × 10‒1 7.69 × 10‒2
KR20-B 4.26 × 10‒2 4.26 × 10‒2 7.69 × 10‒2
KR26-A 1.73 × 10‒1 1.73 × 10‒1 5.88 × 10‒2
KR26-B 3.06 × 10‒2 3.06 × 10‒2 5.88 × 10‒2
KR30H-A 1.51 × 10‒1 1.51 × 10‒1 4.78 × 10‒2
KR30H-B 2.76 × 10‒2 2.76 × 10‒2 4.78 × 10‒2
KR30H-C 2.77 × 10‒1 2.77 × 10‒1 4.78 × 10‒2
KR30H-D 3.99 × 10‒2 3.99 × 10‒2 4.78 × 10‒2
KR33-A 1.51 × 10‒1 1.51 × 10‒1 4.93 × 10‒2
KR33-B 2.57 × 10‒2 2.57 × 10‒2 4.93 × 10‒2
KR33-C 2.77 × 10‒1 2.77 × 10‒1 4.93 × 10‒2
KR33-D 3.55 × 10‒2 3.55 × 10‒2 4.93 × 10‒2
KR45H-A 9.83 × 10‒2 9.83 × 10‒2 3.45 × 10‒2
KR45H-B 1.87 × 10‒2 1.87 × 10‒2 3.45 × 10‒2
KR45H-C 1.83 × 10‒1 1.83 × 10‒1 3.45 × 10‒2
KR45H-D 2.81 × 10‒2 2.81 × 10‒2 3.45 × 10‒2
KR46-A 1.01 × 10‒1 1.01 × 10‒1 3.38 × 10‒2
KR46-B 1.78 × 10‒2 1.78 × 10‒2 3.38 × 10‒2
KR46-C 1.85 × 10‒1 1.85 × 10‒1 3.38 × 10‒2
KR46-D 2.5 × 10‒2 2.5 × 10‒2 3.38 × 10‒2
KR55-A 8.63 × 10‒2 8.63 × 10‒2 2.83 × 10‒2
KR55-B 1.53 × 10‒2 1.53 × 10‒2 2.83 × 10‒2
KR65-A 7.55 × 10‒2 7.55 × 10‒2 2.14 × 10‒2
KR65-B 1.35 × 10‒2 1.35 × 10‒2 2.14 × 10‒2

Note) The values for models KR-B/D indicate the values when double inner blocks are used in close contact with each other.