Choosing the Right Ball Screw in 7 Steps

It is necessary to be very careful when choosing ball screws, which are frequently encountered and preferred in machine design and motion control applications. Ball screws, which need to be carefully scrutinized and touched frequently in terms of both operating time and speed and maintenance requirements, are preferred in CNC machines, automation assembly lines and many other sectors. If you are going to choose a ball screw but do not know what to pay attention to, you can take a look at our content called “Choosing the Right Ball Screw in 7 Steps”. In this way, you can ensure the efficiency of your business processes by choosing the most suitable spindle for you. We wish you all a good day and enjoyable reading.

Why is it important to choose the right lead screw?

Choosing the right ball screw is of vital importance in terms of performance, reliability and efficiency of the mechanical system. If the ball screws, which are quite important, are chosen correctly, the desired precision and repeatability levels are achieved in the system. In addition, you will also obtain the desired load capacity and movement speed. Therefore, when choosing a ball screw, you should pay attention to many metrics and make your choice. Otherwise, you may experience problems such as increased wear, frequent failures, low efficiency and system security.

Especially in applications requiring high speed and precision, selecting the appropriate ball screw allows the entire system to operate at optimum performance. Therefore, when selecting a ball screw, factors such as the application requirements, operating environment, load capacity, speed and movement accuracy should be carefully evaluated. A wrong selection can not only cause performance losses, but also increase maintenance and repair costs.

How to Choose the Right Lead Screw in 7 Steps?

Choosing the right ball screw is a critical component of the success of mechanical and automation systems. Whether it is CNC machines, robotic systems, or other industrial applications that require precise positioning, choosing the right ball screw greatly impacts the overall performance, efficiency, and reliability of the system. Therefore, by following the 7 important steps we have listed below, you can make the right ball screw choice.

1) Determine Load, Speed ​​and Run Time Requirements

When choosing a ball screw shaft, you should definitely consider the load, speed and operating times. When doing this, you should definitely make a choice according to the sector you will use and the type of stepper and servo motor you will use. In this way, you can optimize the overall efficiency and performance of your system and extend its life. In addition, choosing a ball screw shaft suitable for the motor type helps you to fully utilize the potential of the motor and increase the sensitivity of your motion control system and achieve up to 95% efficiency in work processes.

2) Consider the Average Application Process

Another factor to consider when choosing a ball screw is the length of the application period. Thus, in long-term applications, the durability of the ball screw and its ability to work continuously become the primary factors. When considering the duration factor, you should separately evaluate metrics such as how many hours per day, how many days per week and how many weeks per year the ball screw will be operated and the working time.

3) Prioritize the Need for Accuracy

When choosing a lead screw shaft, the first point to consider is the accuracy criterion, which is extremely important in terms of making the right choice of the lead screw shaft. When paying attention to the accuracy criterion, you should definitely consider the pitch accuracy. For this, you should examine the consistency of the amount of progress in each revolution of the shaft and how much this value varies along the shaft. When examining the variability of the pitch value, you should analyze the effect of external factors such as temperature changes in the working environment on the pitch accuracy and whether the pitch accuracy will be maintained under maximum load capacity and speed conditions.

4) Keep Repeatability Requirements at the Forefront

One of the points to be considered in choosing the right ball screw is the repeatability requirements, which refers to the ability of the system to return to the desired position during operation. This ability is extremely important, especially in applications such as mass production, automation and CNC machines. Because the repeatability requirement ensures the consistency of the part quality and dimensions in the production process. Therefore, while keeping the repeatability requirement in the foreground, you need to pay attention to the material quality of the ball screw, the precision of the machined surface and the fit between the nut and the shaft.

5) Assess Possible Installation Issues

Possible assembly problems may have an impact on the selection of the correct ball screw shaft. Because during assembly, ball screw shafts are assembled in supported or fixed settings. When choosing one of these assembly types, it should be done according to the size of the ball screw shaft.

For example; In the supported mounting type, it means that there are support points at both ends of the shaft and is generally preferred for longer ball screw shafts. This method minimizes bending and deflection on the shaft, providing high accuracy even under high speed and load. In fixed mounting, it is a method where one end of the shaft is fixed and the other end is free and is suitable for shorter ball screw shafts. However, fixed mounting can increase the risk of bending and vibration in long shaft sizes or under high loads.

Therefore, when choosing which of the two mounting methods you prefer, take into account the size of the screw shaft and the pros and cons of the mounting techniques.

6) Discover Different Designs of Ball Screws

When determining the right ball screw shaft, it is useful to consider different designs. When examining different designs of ball screw shafts, you should evaluate the advantages offered by each design and whether it meets the specific requirements of the application. For example, ball screw shafts are known for their high precision and low friction, while trapezoidal screw shafts can have higher load capacity and a simpler structure. In addition, roller screw shafts can be suitable for high speeds and load capacities. Therefore, when evaluating different ball screw shaft designs, you should choose the one that suits the overall goals and operating conditions of your application. In this way, you can optimize your system performance and increase your operational efficiency.

7) Determine Usage and Maintenance Requirements

“Doğru vidalı mil seçiminde, kullanım ve bakım gereksinimlerini dikkate almak, sistemin uzun vadeli performansı ve güvenilirliği için kritik önem taşır. Vidalı milin seçimi sırasında, kullanılacak ortamın koşulları, iş yükü yoğunluğu ve sistem gereksinimleri gibi faktörler göz önünde bulundurulmalıdır. Örneğin, ağır sanayi uygulamaları için seçilen vidalı mil, yüksek yük kapasitesine ve ağır hizmet tipi aşınma direncine sahip olmalıdır. Buna karşılık, daha hafif ve hassas uygulamalar için, daha düşük yük kapasitesi ancak daha yüksek hassasiyet ve hız özelliklerine sahip vidalı miller uygun olabilir.

Maintenance requirements are also an important factor in choosing a lead screw; some lead screws offer low maintenance requirements, while others require regular lubrication and adjustment. Ease of maintenance reduces system downtime and lowers operating costs. It is also important to consider the expected wear and tear over the life of the product, the availability of spare parts, and service support. These factors play a key role in ensuring that the correct lead screw will operate efficiently and reliably, not just initially, but throughout the life of the system.

Sizde kullanmış olduğunuz motor türüne en uygun ve en doğru vidalı mili tercih etmek istiyorsanız, Şahin Rulman’ın uzman ekibiyle iletişime geçerek, en doğru vidalı mil seçiminde bulunabilirsiniz.