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Easy rotation, efficient transmission - ball screw

Publish Time：

2024-06-26

A ball screw is a functional component used to convert rotary motion into linear motion. Ball screw assemblies are precision transmission components used in various machine tools and mechanical equipment to convert rotary motion into linear motion. They are also used to control the transmission mechanisms of electronics and fluid power, and are widely used in industrial fields.


Structure and Working Principle

A ball screw consists of a screw and a nut, with rolling steel balls distributed between the screw and the nut. The screw has helical grooves, and the nut also has corresponding helical grooves, with the balls rolling between these grooves.

 

When the screw rotates relative to the nut, the rotation of the screw causes the balls to push the nut to move axially. Simultaneously, the balls roll along the helical grooves, converting the sliding friction between the screw and the nut into rolling friction between the balls and the screw and nut. Compared with traditional sliding screws, ball screws utilize rolling friction instead of sliding friction, thus having the advantages of high efficiency, low wear, and long service life.

 

Ball Circulation Method

 

The ball circulation method of a ball screw is one of its key technologies. Based on the circulation path and return method of the balls, there are mainly the following types:

 

External Circulation


An externally circulating ball screw consists of a screw, nut, steel balls, a bent tube, and a fixing block. The steel balls roll between the screw and the nut, and are connected by a bent tube to recirculate on the nut. The bent tube device is located outside the nut; this type is called an externally circulating ball screw.

 

Internal Circulation

 

An internally circulating ball screw consists of a screw, nut, steel balls, and a return cover. The steel balls use a single-loop circulation, connected by the return cover between two adjacent ball grooves, forming a single closed recirculation path. Because the return cover device is inside the nut, this type is called an internally circulating ball screw.

 

End Cap Type


The basic return system design of an end cap type ball screw is similar to that of external circulation. The main difference is that a through hole is machined on the nut as a steel ball return channel. This design allows the steel balls to pass through both the front and rear ends of the nut. Because all ball grooves are filled with effective steel balls, the nut length is shorter than traditional designs under the same dynamic load.

 

 

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