Schaeffler can machine shafts up to 5m in length and monorails up to 3m in length, with diameters between 5mm and 80mm. Materials include induction-hardened steel, stainless steel and aluminium support rails.

Mr Fox continues: “We employ a highly-skilled, flexible workforce comprising 21 toolmakers on three shifts in the toolroom, plus five toolmakers in the Linear Quick-Centre, with all 26 staff apprenticeship-trained. This enables us to meet any customer request for linear components. We have a very well equipped toolroom with CNC machining centres, CNC lathes, CNC cylindrical grinding machines, turret mills, automatic cut-off machines, turret drills, deburring machines, centre lathes and face grinding machines. This enables us to machine complex shafts in-house and manufacture product designs to customer requirements.”

According to Fox, when it comes to linear bearings and guides in the UK today, quality and cost are seen as a given and so delivery is the key driver. “Our customers don’t want stock on their shelves today and they want customised products delivered within 48 hours. They want linear shafts with machined flats, grooves, drilled and tapped holes, at very close tolerances. Accessories are important too, with customers wanting mounting blocks, plain bushes, brackets and other fabricated items.”

Neil Walters, Toolroom Supervisor agrees: “The key to delivering these products to customers quickly is our highly motivated, skilled and flexible workforce. They control and monitor their own work and are prepared to go the extra mile for the customer. If a customer telephones an order through at 4pm on a Friday and wants it the next day, we can do it.”