IKO supplier in Romania
Needle roller bearings and precision linear guides
Founded in 1950
Who is IKO and what does it make?
IKO is a Japanese manufacturer of bearings and linear guides, founded in 1950, with dedicated subsidiaries for the American and European markets. The range covers four areas: Linear Motion (linear ball guides), Rotary Motion (needle roller bearings and crossed roller bearings), Plain Bearings and Mechatronics (positioning tables). From the portfolio we can quote linear ball guides, needle roller bearings for small radial spaces and crossed roller bearings for combined axial-radial loads.
In linear ball guides, IKO offers complete ranges of high-precision rails and carriages for machine tools and automation equipment. IKO crossed roller bearings take radial loads, axial loads and overturning moments simultaneously in a single compact element, a typical advantage in rotary tables and articulated robots. Needle roller bearings, with a reduced section, allow the overall size to be reduced where radial space is limited, for example in planetary gearboxes or robot joints. The company has more than 70 years of experience in precision engineering.
For equipment in Romania, IKO makes sense for the retrofitting of machine tools (replacing worn linear guides), for industrial robots (crossed roller bearings for joints) and for semiconductor or life sciences equipment where positioning precision is critical. Choosing the right variant depends on the radial/axial load and the precision class required.
What do we supply from the IKO range?
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Linear Ball Guides (Linear Motion) | Rails and ball carriages for precision linear motion, used on the travel axes of machine tools, measuring equipment and automation lines. The carriages recirculate the balls in a closed circuit, which keeps friction low and precision constant over the entire stroke. They are available in several precision classes, depending on the application. For a quotation we need the rail length, the precision class and the load acting on the carriage. |
| Crossed Roller Bearings (Rotary Motion) | Bearings in which the rollers are arranged alternately at an angle of 90 degrees, so that a single element takes radial loads, axial loads and overturning moments simultaneously. They are used in precision rotary tables, robot joints and positioning platforms where the mounting space is limited but rigidity must remain high. They remove the need to combine several separate bearings for the same load directions. The customer must state the mounting diameter and the estimated combined load. |
| Needle Roller Bearings (Needle Bearings) | Bearings with thin, long rollers (needles), which allow a much smaller radial section than a classic ball bearing for the same load capacity. They are used in planetary gearboxes and compact joints, where the diameter available for mounting is strictly limited. They are available with or without an inner ring. For a quotation we need the shaft diameter and the radial working load. |
| Mechatronic Positioning Tables | Positioning tables that integrate the linear guide with a drive system (motor and ball screw) in a single assembly, for electrically controlled motion on one or more axes. They are used in inspection equipment, precision assembly or small-component handling, where the position must be repeated with high accuracy. They reduce design time compared with assembling the guide and the drive separately. For configuration we need the stroke required and the load carried on the table. |
Why IKO?
- Linear ball guides for precision machine tools
- Crossed roller bearings — radial loads, axial loads and overturning moments in a single element
- Reduced-section needle roller bearings, for limited radial spaces in robot joints
- More than 70 years of experience in precision engineering
- Dedicated subsidiaries for North America and Europe, with regional technical support
Which IKO codes and series are requested most often?
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| LWH | linear ball guide, H series, through-plate bolt mounting |
| LWHT | linear ball guide, H series, flanged variant |
| LWHD | linear ball guide, H series, standard block variant |
| LWHS | linear ball guide, H series, compact block variant |
| LWHG | linear ball guide, H series, long block |
| LWHY | linear ball guide, H series, special fixing variant |
| MH | C-Lube Linear Way MH ball guide block, sizes 15–45 |
| MHG | C-Lube Linear Way MH long ball guide block, sizes 20–45 |
| MHT | miniature guide block, H series, flanged variant |
| MHD | miniature guide block, H series, standard block variant |
| MHS | C-Lube Linear Way MH compact ball guide block, sizes 15–30 |
Where is IKO equipment used?
- Machine tools — linear guides for the motion axes
- Robotics — crossed roller bearings for joints
- Semiconductors — precision positioning on mechatronic tables
- Logistics and packaging — guides for handling systems
- Food industry — bearings for processing equipment
How do we supply IKO in Romania?
IKO linear guides and bearings reach the customer through European supply channels, made to order, usually in 1–4 weeks from order confirmation. We state directly what we confirm: we do not have permanent availability from stock for this brand, and we check availability on each request; the technical data used above come from the technical documentation of the manufacturer IKO/Nippon Thompson. For a correct quotation we need the complete product code — the series, the size and the precision class required.
The equivalence between the IKO precision class and that of the guides already fitted on the machine is established on the basis of the complete product code.
Frequently asked questions about IKO
What is the difference between the IKO H series and E series linear guides?
The Linear Way H series offers a wide range of rail widths, from miniature variants to 65 mm models, and is designed for general precision positioning applications. The Linear Way E series is another series in the IKO range.
What is the IKO MH guide block?
The MH is the C-Lube ball guide block of the Linear Way MH series, in sizes from 15 to 45. The flanged variants, such as the MHT, or the long-block variants, such as the MHG, allow adaptation to various fixing methods without changing the construction principle of the basic block. The choice depends on the space available and on the method of fastening to the equipment structure.
Do you supply IKO guides in Romania?
Yes, IKO guides and blocks are brought in on individual order, with a lead time of usually 1–4 weeks, as the range is not displayed or held at our premises. For a correct quotation we need the width of the guide rail, the size of the block required and the precision class needed for your application.
What variants does the IKO LWH series have?
The LWH series includes variants such as the LWHT (flanged), LWHD (standard block), LWHS (compact block) and LWHG (long block). Each variant addresses a different mounting constraint, such as the orientation of the bolts or the lateral space available on the machine structure.
How do I request a IKO quotation?
Send the IKO code from the nameplate and the quantity; we reply in English with availability and the lead time written in the quotation.
Request a quoteUpdated: 12 November 2026 · Sources: IKO NIPPON THOMPSON CO., LTD., IKO International, Inc. (Nippon Thompson), Nippon Thompson Europe B.V. (manufacturer documentation)