Why use a ball screw?

In present-day society, an increasing number of forms of technological materials have appeared in people’s lives. Undoubtedly, different materials have changed people’s lives to a great extent. Today, we will focus on a ball screw, which is the most commonly used tool. In recent years, the ball screw has become one of the most widely used components in the industry.

The justifications for using a ball screw will be clearly described in this report. Meanwhile, we will introduce the ball screw applications to you.

• The basic structure of a ball screw.

• What are the advantages of a ball screw?

• What are the drawbacks of a ball screw?

• What are the ball screw applications?

The basic structure of a ball screw.

A ball screw is composed of five major components, which are Screws, nuts, steel balls, pre-pressing discs, reversers, dust protectors. The principle of the ball screw is that the screw and nut are machined with a curved spiral groove when they are set together to form a spiral raceway, and the raceway is filled with balls, when the screw is rotating relative to the nut, the axial displacement occurs between the two. The balls can be rolled along the raceway to reduce frictional resistance.

Noticeably, ball screws are often the first choice for linear-motion applications.

What are the advantages of a ball screw?

As a common component in the current industry, the ball screw has a host of advantages. For instance, it has low friction losses, high transmission efficiency, high precision, high axial stiffness, and high durability.

It is understood that ball screws are consistently produced with the highest level of machinery and equipment in the world. Meanwhile, ball screw suppliers have strict control over the choice of materials and the requirements of the environment. Therefore, it is best to avoid touching the ball screws directly with your hands when using them, as unclean magazines and dust may affect their accuracy.

What are the ball screw applications?

Given that it has a host of advantages, the ball screw can be applied in many fields.

In general, ball screws are used to move control surfaces in aircraft and missiles, particularly for electric flying lines. Besides, in automotive power steering to convert the rotary motion of the motor into axial motion in the bogie. It also can be applied in machine tools, robots, and precision assembly equipment.

What are the drawbacks of a ball screw?

Although it’s a multiple-functional tool for many enterprises, it also has some drawbacks that need to be taken into account. Due to the high precision and low roughness of components such as ball screws and nuts, manufacturing costs are high. It is worth noting that ball screws have complex process requirements and are difficult to manufacture.

What's more, the balls crews need regular maintenance, e.g. lubrication. Without regular maintenance, the service life of the ball screws may be affected to some degree.

In conclusion, a ball screw is one of the most widely used tools in contemporary society. It is available in many different types and must be tailored to your requirements before purchasing it.