The demand for AI computing power is pushing high-speed optical modules from 800G to 1.6T, and further evolving toward CPO/NPO. What is being amplified is not just bandwidth, but also the "precision pressure" in packaging. As the optical path coupling among FAU, Lens, and PIC enters sub-micron control, what determines equipment performance is not only algorithms and controllers, but also the most fundamental mechanical motion components. Crossed roller guides are becoming key components worthy of renewed attention in this precision upgrade chain.
In the optical communication industry in 2026, 800G remains in the stage of scaled shipment, 1.6T enters the volume production and production line expansion phase, while CPO/NPO represents a more advanced packaging direction. At the CIOE China Optics Expo held in September, multiple equipment manufacturers have already demonstrated automatic silicon photonics FA coupling equipment for 400G/800G/1.6T. Some equipment directly adopts "dual six-axis high-precision modules," with publicly disclosed XYZ repeatability reaching ±100 nm; domestic equipment manufacturers in China have also launched automatic coupling solutions for the mass production of 400G to 3.2T silicon photonic modules.
This means that the competition for high-speed optical modules is no longer just about chips, DSPs, lasers, and silicon photonic platforms; the manufacturing end has also entered a "precision race." The higher the speed and denser the channels of the optical module, the more sensitive the spatial position and angular tolerances between the fiber array, lens, and silicon photonic chip become. Manufacturing equipment must not only "find the light," but also find the peak faster, stop at the peak more stably, and maintain the coupling state as much as possible after dispensing and UV curing.
Evolution of High-Speed Optical Modules and the Transmission of Precision Requirements
Image source: Compiled and drawn by MIR 睿工业
01. Application of Crossed Roller Guides in Optical Coupling Equipment What Exactly is Coupling Doing?
To put it simply, optical module coupling is: stably and repeatedly sending a very fine beam of light into another extremely small "optical entrance." In silicon photonic modules, common targets include FA/FAU (Fiber Array), Lens, and PIC (Photonic Integrated Circuit). Since the coupling efficiency is truly determined by the 3D position and spatial angle, the equipment often requires three linear degrees of freedom (X, Y, Z), superimposed with three angular degrees of freedom (θX, θY, θZ).
A typical active coupling process usually involves: the vision system completing coarse positioning, the motion platform executing XYZ scanning and fine angular adjustment, the optical power feedback continuously searching for the maximum value, and the algorithm locking the peak before proceeding to dispensing and UV curing. Publicly available equipment data shows that dual-FA automatic coupling machines for 1.6T silicon photonic modules have adopted dual six-axis high-precision modules, pushing the repeatability of linear axes to the hundreds of nanometers level.
Schematic Diagram of Active Coupling and Six Degrees of Freedom in Optical Modules
Image source: Compiled and drawn by MIR 睿工业
For ordinary automation equipment, a positioning error of tens of micrometers might still be acceptable; however, in the precision coupling of high-speed optical communications, the platform needs to remain controllable and repeatable at a much smaller displacement scale. Publicly available domestic silicon photonic coupling platforms have provided parameters such as ±0.1 μm repeatability and a 1 nm minimum step distance. There are also 800G/1.6T dual-FA equipment publicly disclosing a closed-loop precision of 50 nm for linear motors. This does not mean that all processes require "50 nm," but it at least indicates that the mechanical and control capabilities of high-end coupling platforms are being pushed to the tens to hundreds of nanometers level.
Core Requirements of Optical Module Coupling Equipment for Precision Motion Mechanisms
Information source: MIR 睿工业
Why are Crossed Roller Guides Suitable for Such Equipment?
A crossed roller guide is a limited-stroke, non-recirculating linear motion guiding structure. Precision rollers are arranged in a staggered manner and roll in V-shaped raceways. Compared with recirculating ball/roller linear guides, its outstanding feature is not "long stroke," but rather balancing high rigidity, low friction fluctuation, and a compact structure in short-stroke precision motion.
Official data from NB (Nippon Bearing) in Japan explicitly applies crossed roller Slide Ways to "optical and measuring equipment requiring high-precision motion," emphasizing the micro-motion stability and low friction resistance fluctuation brought by non-recirculating precision rollers; SCHNEEBERGER positions its R/RN/RNG series crossed roller guides for medium-to-high requirement precision mechanical applications, and solves the roller cage creeping problem through cage control solutions. The Airtac LGC series also explicitly lists optical testers and optical tables as typical applications.
Matching Relationship Between Optical Module Coupling Equipment and Crossed Roller Guides
Information source: MIR 睿工业
From the perspective of the whole machine structure, the most typical application position of crossed roller guides is the XYZ high-precision linear platform. The X and Y axes handle planar scanning and light searching, while the Z axis is responsible for fine-tuning the working distance and focal direction; in more complex dual-FA and dual-Lens coupling equipment, they are also superimposed with angular axes to form a dual six-degree-of-freedom system.
Actual equipment often adopts a combination of "linear motor + high-resolution encoder/grating ruler + precision guide." The linear motor is responsible for fast response without intermediate transmission, the encoder handles closed-loop feedback, and the guide determines the most fundamental straightness, rigidity, friction, and motion consistency of the mechanical system.
Deconstruction of the Precision Motion Structure in Optical Module Coupling Equipment
Image source: Compiled and drawn by MIR 睿工业
In optical module coupling equipment, the guide is not a generic component simply responsible for "moving the workpiece from point A to point B," but the mechanical precision foundation of the precision motion platform. The friction fluctuation, rigidity, and linear motion quality of the guide will continue to transmit to the platform's straightness, angular error, and settling time, further affecting light-searching efficiency, peak locking, and coupling repeatability, ultimately reflecting on yield rate and UPH.
02. Competitive Landscape: High-End Still Dominated by Foreign Brands, Chinese Manufacturers Catching Up
According to MIR 睿工业's long-term tracking of the ball screw, guide rail, and precision motion control industry chain, the crossed roller guides currently used in optical module coupling equipment are still mainly supplied by non-mainland China brands such as IKO, NB, SCHNEEBERGER, and Airtac. These manufacturers entered the fields of optical equipment, measuring equipment, semiconductors, and precision automation early on, possessing strong foundations in product precision consistency, preload, friction control, cage anti-creep, and customer validation.
As for mainland China brands, manufacturers such as Lanbo Machinery, Nanjing Technical Equipment, and Kaite already possess crossed roller/crossed roller-type guiding products and corresponding industrial foundations, but in the high-precision subdivided scenario of optical module coupling, the overall market share remains relatively low. This shows that the domestic side does not "lack products"; the real threshold lies more in whether they can enter the validation of new models by leading equipment manufacturers and continuously pass the test of mass production working conditions.
Taking Lanbo Machinery first, its product center lists crossed guides as a separate category. In addition to the LBV series crossed guides and LBVT three-piece crossed guides, there is also the LBFV series anti-creep precision crossed guides—"anti-creep" is precisely the key selection item mentioned earlier; additionally, there are machine tool needle roller guides (MV type, NO type), arc-shaped guides, and integrated slide table modules. From publicly available product information, its guides mainly target precision instrument fields such as automation, 3C, semiconductors, optoelectronic equipment, measuring instruments, and medical equipment.
Looking at Nanjing Craftsmanship, the GZV crossed roller guide pair of Nanjing Craftsmanship Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. consists of two guides with V-shaped raceways, roller cages, and staggered cylindrical rollers, capable of bearing loads in all directions; accompanied by GGB, GGE, GZB, and other series of rolling linear guide pairs, the product line covers the main categories of rolling functional components.
Guangdong Kaite takes the CS series crossed ball linear guide pair as the representative of crossed products, adopting a crossed bidirectional groove superposition integrated design, focusing on compact structure, saving installation space, and high rigidity; in recent machine tool exhibition materials, this series was exhibited together with the LGS ball linear guide pair, LGR roller linear guide pair, arc rolling guide pair, etc., and matched with clamps, self-lubrication, dampers, and other components.
Looking at the product information of these several companies together, domestic manufacturers have already answered the question of whether they can make the products. The real gap lies in whether they can provide records validated by customers in high-precision scenarios.
Why Haven't Domestic Brands Achieved Large-Scale Substitution Temporarily?
First, the customer validation cycle is long. Optical module coupling equipment ultimately enters mass production lines, and equipment manufacturers value long-term stability more. Once a certain guide has completed whole-machine validation with the platform, subsequent supplier replacement means re-evaluating precision, takt time, lifespan, and process windows; the switching cost is far higher than a mere procurement price difference.
Second, the evaluation dimensions cannot be covered by a single "precision parameter sheet." Straightness and parallelism are just the starting points; what truly creates the gap is often the friction fluctuation during low-speed micro-motion, preload consistency, cage creeping, performance drift after long-term operation, and consistency between different batches.
Third, equipment manufacturers buy "whole-machine effects." The guide needs to work together with linear motors, grating rulers, controllers, and platform structures. Better parameters for a single component do not automatically mean a shorter whole-machine settling time or higher coupling repeatability. What suppliers need to do is not just "sell guides," but also understand platform design and coupling processes.
Fourth, overseas brands have formed a first-mover design inertia. In the early stage of platform development, equipment manufacturers often directly design according to the dimensions, tolerances, preload, and load parameters of mature brands. Once the guide is written into a mature BOM, a strong path dependence is formed.
03. Opportunity Points for Domestic Manufacturers: 1.6T/CPO is a Window for Re-entry
The key to domestic substitution is not to "forcefully replace a guide" on already mature 800G equipment, but to enter the design stage of a new generation of equipment. What 1.6T and CPO/NPO bring is the synchronous upgrade of coupling processes, platform architecture, takt time, and precision requirements. When the equipment is redesigned, the original BOM will also be re-evaluated, which is precisely the window where domestic components are most likely to cut in.
More importantly, domestic coupling equipment itself is also in an accelerated upgrade period. Public project materials from domestic listed companies in 2026 have clearly pointed out: China's high-end optical communication automation equipment for high-precision optical coupling and testing still relies heavily on foreign brands, and high-precision coupling and testing equipment suitable for 1.6T and above high-speed optical modules and NPO/CPO is still dominated by foreign brands; domestically, equipment platforms are being built for high-precision optical coupling, high-speed optical communication device testing, and micro-nano optical precision die bonding.
This forms a localization chain worthy of attention: the expansion of domestic high-speed optical modules drives the validation of domestic coupling equipment, which in turn promotes the upgrade of domestic precision motion platforms, and domestic crossed roller guides also gain the opportunity for synchronous introduction. For domestic brands such as Lanbo Machinery, Nanjing Craftsmanship, and Kaite, the real opportunity may not be "price substitution," but following the new platforms of domestic equipment manufacturers to enter the BOM from the early stage of design.
Judgment on the Opportunity for Domestic Guides in Optical Module Coupling Equipment
Information source: MIR 睿工业
Conclusion
The opportunity window for domestic guides has opened, but what it exactly means needs to be measured over a longer period. MIR 睿工业 has three judgments.
First, the upgrade of optical modules is pushing the manufacturing end from an automation issue further toward a precision opto-mechanical-electrical coordination issue. From 800G to 1.6T, and then to CPO/NPO, the requirements for coupling equipment regarding micro-motion, rigidity, and long-term consistency are steadily rising, and the importance of precision guiding components rises accordingly.
Second, optical module coupling is not the largest volume market for crossed roller guides, but it may be one of the high-end applications with the most demonstrative effect. Being able to complete mass production validation in this scenario means that the supplier's product capability and manufacturing consistency in the field of precision motion control have undergone a higher-level test.
Third, currently, the crossed roller guides in high-end optical coupling equipment are still mainly supplied by non-mainland China brands such as IKO, NB, SCHNEEBERGER, and Airtac; domestic brands already have product capabilities, but their batch penetration in leading equipment remains relatively low. What is truly worth observing is whether domestic coupling equipment and domestic precision guiding components can complete validation synchronously in the next two to three years.
Therefore, MIR 睿工业 believes: for domestic crossed roller guides, optical module coupling equipment is a market with small volume, high barriers, and strong demonstrative effects. The new round of equipment iteration brought by 1.6T/CPO may be precisely the key window for domestic manufacturers to re-enter high-end BOMs.