Slow but steady improvements continue with ball screw technology. For instance, developments in manufacturing and materials have improved ball screw performance so that the most recent generation of ball screws have greater load densities than before, leading to high load capacities in smaller packages. A trend that continues is the adoption of ball screws into […]
New high-performance miniature ball screws from SKF
The new SP Series high-performance miniature ball screws from SKF Motion Technologies have been optimized to deliver precise positioning, excellent repeatability, and smooth-running and quiet linear actuation. Their advanced internal ball recirculation system and thread design additionally enable higher speed capabilities and longer operating life compared with conventional rolled ball screws. These small packages ultimately […]
Motion system applications: Better ballscrews, more applications
Ballscrews suit applications needing light, smooth motion, applications requiring precise positioning, and when heavy loads must be moved. Examples include machine tools, assembly devices, X-Y motion and robotics. Factors such as lead accuracy, axial play and preload, and life-to-load relationship are most commonly used to classify ballscrews. Lead accuracy is the degree to which the shaft’s […]
Repeatability and Accuracy: What’s the Difference?
There are numerous ways to classify the performance of linear positioning devices such as ball screws, belts, and rack and pinion systems, but the terminology can be confusing. The two most common terms, accuracy and repeatability, and are often used interchangeably. When someone says that a ball screw is very accurate, they may really mean that […]
Three easy ways to reduce maintenance costs for linear systems
If you’ve read many articles on this site, you probably recall that inadequate lubrication can cause bearing failure. But while lubrication is the most important maintenance factor in linear bearing life, there are other things that users can do to reduce maintenance costs and ensure they get the most life from a linear bearing, ball screw, or […]
What does “lubricated for life” mean?
Lubrication is one of the most critical factors contributing to linear bearing life, and to achieve optimum performance users historically had to ensure that a lubrication routine was included in their operating and maintenance program, or implement an automated lubrication system. Seeing the opportunity to reduce maintenance and improve total cost of ownership, linear bearing […]
Tips for preventing linear bearing corrosion
Corrosive environments can include anything from detergents and chemicals for washdown (the high-pressure cleaning of equipment), to acid baths and their related vapors, to chemicals in food processing. Because profiled linear rails, round shafts, and ball screws are made primarily from steel components, they’re highly susceptible to corrosive agents, which can quickly cause rust, pitting, […]
How to calculate mean equivalent dynamic load
It’s rare in linear motion for a guide or ball screw to carry the same load throughout its move cycle. Even in simple pick-and-place applications, the load will be higher in one direction (the pick and carry phase) than in the other direction (the place and return phase). But even more common is for a […]
How does temperature affect ball screw assemblies?
As an integral part of industrial machines and processes, ball screw assemblies often operate in environments with elevated temperatures. Heat can be generated by other mechanical and electrical components in the machine, and in some cases, is a byproduct of the process itself. And, like other motion products with sliding or rolling friction, ball screws generate heat of […]
Common ball screw terms explained
When discussing ball screw assemblies, there is often confusion surrounding common nomenclature used to describe their structure and operation. Circuits, turns, lead, pitch, and starts are all widely used, and misused, terms to quantify various aspects of ball screw assemblies. Although these specifications are related to one another, each has a unique meaning and significance to […]
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