Manufacturing Capabilities

 

 

Fully integrated, global, and growing

The 150,000 square-foot manufacturing hub at PBC Linear provides a wide selection of sophisticated linear motion technologies to a growing global customer network. Our product catalog ranges from linear bearings to full actuating systems. We blend the newest software, the sharpest engineers, and the latest tools and technologies to form a fully integrated manufacturing system.

New in 2018! PBC Linear is finalizing construction of the new manufacturing facility. This state-of-the-art building, adjacent to the existing facility, will include over 66 thousand square feet of space and contain an optimized manufacturing floor with supporting offices. In addition to the new building, there will be advancements made in machinery and equipment at both the current and new facilities. Together, these investments will further streamline the company’s operations, increasing efficiency and productivity, while continuing to meet growing industry demands.

Continuous Development

Innovation has been a hallmark of PBC Linear since its inception as Pacific Bearing Company in 1983. With more than 15 pending patents, we continues to develop products that reduce components, improve performance, and streamline assembly, giving customers a competitive advantage. From our trade-secret method of sizing Uni-Guide™ and Mini-Rail, to the patented SIMO process, PBC Linear continues to be a leader in linear motion technology. Innovative products and advancements include:

  • Simplicity®, Self-Lubricating Plain Bearing
  • Redi-Rail® patented accessible adjustment system
  • Redi-Rail® tamper-proof roller mounting system
  • SIMO® process and machine
  • Integral-V solutions which can significantly reduce total installed cost
  • Integral wear sensors into plain bearings

24/7 Automated Production

Some motion control companies structure their production on foreign, low-cost labor. PBC Linear has created a manufacturing floor utilizing sophisticated production equipment, resulting in a high level of efficiency and automation. Through these and other innovative processes, we can support a 24/7 production schedule. Customer benefits and services include:

  • 3 Hitachi FMS machining centers that run day and night
  • 16 and 36 pallet system, each with 2 integrated Hitachi Seiki 630’s CNC Machining Centers
  • 72 pallet system
  • Reduced lead times, set-ups eliminated
  • Lower overall production costs
  • Shorter delivery times
  • Change-over periods in 15 minutes or less
  • Production orders ranging from 1 piece to 10,000+ pieces

Engineering Design & Development Team

Our engineering team is comprised of multi-disciplined engineers, drafters, and model makers. They utilize a range of advanced manufacturing techniques designed to meet customer requirements. this flexibility allows them to either design a logical extension of an existing core product, or create a customized, innovative solution for a complex linear motion application. As a whole, the team strives to produce superior products, and when that production technology is not available, they invent it. PBC Linear incorporates the latest in technology tools, including: 

  • SolidWorks 3D CAD
  • Advanced tolerance stack-up analysis using “Sigmund Works”
  • Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using SW Simulation
  • Rapid Prototyping capabilities

CNC, Production Equipment, and Personnel

PBC Linear turns, mills, and grinds virtually all products in-house, ensuring maximum quality without affecting lead times. These complex manufacturing tools require experienced technicians to run them. We support this group of machinists and tradesmen (and women) by supplying them training in the latest techniques and equipment. Customer benefits and services include:

  • 8 expert toolmakers and full CNC capabilities
  • Over 30 modern vertical/horizontal CNC milling and turning machines
  • In house ID, OD and center-less grinding
  • In house heat treating for up to RC70 hardness
  • In-house shaft grinding and straightening for laser-straight linear motion products
  • Implementation of Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) on all product lines

The Patented SIMO® Process

Our recently-designed SIMO machine (Simultaneous Integral Milling Operation) brings a high degree of precision to the aluminum extrusion process. The SIMO process uses synchronized cutters that machine all critical edges concurrently in one pass, eliminating built-in extrusion variances. The result for customers is an extremely accurate product, produced in minutes instead of hours, and with minimal extra costs. More specific benefits include:

  • Consistent and precise aluminum extrusion from beginning to end
  • Longer-lasting products over the competition
  • High tolerance accuracy to ± 0.025mm
  • Easier installation and exact mounting
  • Sustained and rigid linear motion guidance

High-End Assembly

Our high-end assembly room is used to design and build custom, high-end application products for a wide variety of industries. We produce best-in-class, motion-control systems using methods that include:

  • Assembly rooms specifically designed for clean-room applications
  • Operating under strict guidelines to remain clean-room compliant
  • Ensuring precision and rigidity through thorough laser-testing
  • Building and designing custom application products for several industries
  • Testing all products for longevity, imperfections, and accuracy

Tooling & Fixture Design Expertise

When it comes to implementing new ideas, PBC Linear draws from decades of combined experience and matches it with the latest machining capabilities. Our specialty toolmakers and fixture machinists are the best at creating new solutions for client's motion control applications. Their high level of expertise within all facets of production yields quick turnarounds on new working prototypes, as well as improvements to existing designs. In summary, the PBC Linear specialty design team is:

  • Fully supported by a well-trained staff of machinists drawing from decades of knowledge
  • Further facilitated by 8 expert toolmakers and full CNC capabilities to provide fast, working prototypes, new design ideas, and customer specific applications
  • Known for devising time and cost-saving linear motion products
  • A blend of experience and modern CNC capabilities

 

Rigorous Quality Testing and Control

Each PBC Linear product is hand-inspected by trained professionals, and machines are routinely checked to ensure optimal function and outcomes. Further quality control and testing procedures include:

  • CMM analysis of all PBC Linear products for assured geometric precision
  • Reneshaw Ball-Bar Testing for optimum CNC machine accuracy
  • Optical Comparator, Laser Interferometer and Fast Fourier Transformation
  • Customer testing requests for longevity, imperfections, and accuracy