Manufacturing Capabilities

Fully integrated, global, and growing

This year, PBC Linear marks 40 years of engineering linear motion solutions. This has been achieved, in part, through our 200,000-plus square-foot manufacturing hub that 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.

In our push for progress, PBC Linear has completed the construction of its new manufacturing facility. This state-of-the-art building, adjacent to the existing facility, includes over 66 thousand square feet of space and contains an optimized manufacturing floor with supporting offices. In addition to the new building, we have made significant advancements in machinery and equipment at both the current and new facilities. Together, these investments are aiding in further streamlining the company’s operations, increasing efficiency and productivity, and 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

Manufacturing Capabilities - Engineering Design and Development Team

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

Manufacturing Capabilities - Tooling and Fixture Design Expertise

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