Dr. Erich TRETTER GmbH + Co.
About us
Dr. TRETTER Machine Elements – Linear and Drive Technology
We create moving solutions in linear and drive technology – technically sound, precise, fast and efficiently tailored to every application!
We have stood for high quality and innovation since 1970. Customers worldwide trust our expertise – including special machine manufacturers, medical technology companies, automotive suppliers and automation specialists.
We support you with technical know-how and individual advice – from design to tailor-made solutions. Thanks to our in-house production and wide range of products, we can find the perfect solution for your application with short delivery times. In addition, we offer a repair service for ball screws, supported by the manufacturing expertise and service capabilities of IGT Innovative Gewindetechnik, a member of the Dr. TRETTER Group.
Our portfolio includes guide systems such asprofile rail guides, round guides and roller guides, drive systems with lead screws, trapezoidal screw drives and complete axes, as well as ball transfer units for conveyor technology and tolerance rings for shaft-hub connections in series production.
Products & services
linear technology
We are a manufacturer and supplier of a comprehensive product portfolio in the field of linear motion technology. Our range includes guidance systems such as profile rail guides, round rail guides, and roller guides, as well as drive systems including ball screw drives, trapezoidal screw drives, and complete linear axes. In addition, we supply ball transfer units for conveyor technology and tolerance rings for secure shaft‑hub connections, also suitable for series production in the automotive industry.
Shaft guidance systems
Shaft guidance systems for linear, short stroke and rotary movement For more than 45 years, we have been offering a comprehensive range of round rail and shaft guide systems. Our products are manufactured partly in‑house and partly in close cooperation with long‑standing partners, incorporating the expertise of leading manufacturers. For linear motion applications, we supply ball bushings in closed, slotted, and open designs. In addition, our portfolio includes flanged ball bushings in various configurations as well as complete bearing units with aluminum or cast iron housings. For combined, unlimited linear and rotational motion, our rotary ball bushings are available, while low‑friction short‑stroke ball bushings are designed for fast, limited linear and rotational movements. For anti‑rotation shaft guidance, we offer a wide selection of torque ball bushings that ensure backlash‑free guidance even under high loads and tilting moments. Our range is completed by hardened and precision‑ground steel shafts supplied as solid, hollow, or inch shafts—optionally hard‑chrome plated or stainless steel—as well as matching shaft supports and shaft blocks made of aluminum or cast iron.
Torque-resistant ball bushings
Torque-resistant ball bushings for linear motion and simultaneous torque transmission Torque-resistant ball bushings or Ball splines are non-rotating round guides. In addition to transmitting linear motion, they can also transmit as well as support torques – even in narrow spaces. As opposed to conventional shaft guides, the ball spline is equipped with four axially parallel guiding groove races. The osculation of the balls in the raceways of bushing and grooved shaft, analogous to a profile rail guide, makes it possible to transmit significantly higher loads and torques compared to a conventional ball bushing. Thanks to the non-rotating bearing of the torque-resistant ball bushing it is not necessary to use, for instance, two parallel round guides or another form of support.
Rail guides
We offer a comprehensive range of linear guide systems for precise and high‑load linear motion applications. Our linear guides are distinguished by high load capacity, rigidity, flexibility, and long service life. Our portfolio includes profile rail guides, miniature guides, roller guides, crossed roller guides, and aluminum rail guides for lightweight applications. In addition, we supply a wide selection of guide carriages in various sizes and designs that are available from stock at short notice. The matching guide rails are cut to the required customer‑specific length. Our range is complemented by extensive accessories and expert technical consulting.
Lead screws
Lead screws – in highest quality and custom made upon request Lead screws are elements used as a drive for linear motion. Ball screws and trapezoidal screw units are also part of the lead screws: For ball screws the force is transmitted by small balls. This motion has a high efficiency. Trapezoidal screw units function according the principle of dynamic friction. As a result this kind of motion has worse efficiency but also is a lower cost alternative.
Linear Units
Linear Units by Dr. TRETTER – heavy-duty yet flexible Dr. TRETTER offers linear units of the product lines MOVITEC® and MONOCARRIER® for a vast selection of solutions for positioning and handling tasks. The building components are versatile and easily integrable into the design of various applications, according to the modular concept. The linear units are equipped with aluminium profiles, some of them are also available in steel design. The linear axes are available in different designs and sizes. Dr. TRETTER offers linear units with toothed belt drive as well as ball screw drive. Optionally, all linear units can also be delivered without drive. All systems can be affiliated to customer specific electric drives of all common brands and thus be integrated into existing systems. The linear units can also be combined to multi-axis systems or with other MOVITEC®® products. A wide selection of additional processes and accessories make MOVITEC® linear units a flexible component for customized solutions
Ball transfer units
Ball transfer units by Dr. TRETTER – smooth-running, low-noise, dirt-resistant and long service life Ball transfer units are established design elements for conveyor systems, feeders, presses and assembly stations. They are useful little helpers – in the industry and everyday life we cannot imagine things without them. The ball transfers are applied in the following areas: Robotics Ball transfer tables at the airport Assembly lines Lifting platforms So-called airport or air cargo ball transfers are a further application.
Tolerance rings
Tolerance rings by Dr. TRETTER® – smart fixation of special applications Engineers have to face many technical challenges in every industry. For applications, several difficulties need to be overcome, for example: Thermal expansion, e.g. of light metal housings Reduction of vibration Reducing noise development Creating torque control Torque transmission Transmission of axial forces Levelling misalignments Bypassing large tolerances of the connecting components Our tolerance rings can help in all those matters and offer significant advantages compared to other connection types. Together with you, we want to meet the challenge and offer you the perfect solution. We support you during development, design your shaft-hub connection, and support you in the construction and testing phase. Thanks to our own production site in Switzerland, we can attend to all your requirements and special requests. Dr. TRETTER will make your innovative product development possible!