Ball screws and actuators
A screw turns rotation into linear motion. A ball screw runs at high efficiency (typically above 90%) with little backlash; a lead screw is cheaper and, at most pitches, self-locking — it holds the load when power is lost. An electromechanical actuator does the same job with motor, screw and housing combined in one package.
Types and variants
The distinct designs that sit under this category.
Ball screws, rolled or ground
The ground type gives higher positioning accuracy; a preloaded nut removes backlash.
Trapezoidal and lead screws
Simple, cheap and mostly self-locking — for low speed and low duty cycles.
Screw support units
Hold the screw end on axial angular contact bearings — this sets the stiffness.
Electromechanical actuators and slide modules
Motor, gearbox, screw and guide in one body — much shorter assembly time.
Where it is used
The applications this category most often serves.
- CNC axis drives
- Press, clamping and mould movements
- Medical and laboratory instruments
- Door, damper and valve actuation
- Test and assembly automation
What we ask when selecting
What we need in order to find the right part. You do not need all of it — we can work out the rest together.
- Axial load and duty cycle
- The two inputs to the life calculation — a continuously running axis and an occasional door do not want the same screw.
- Stroke, speed and acceleration
- The critical speed limit follows from screw diameter and unsupported length.
- Positioning accuracy and backlash
- Preloaded nut or single nut? Stiffness and friction move together.
- Bearing arrangement
- Fixed-free, fixed-supported or fixed-fixed — a trade-off between stiffness and thermal growth.
Other categories in this group
Send us the designation or the dimensions — we will find the match.
A code you cannot find in the catalogue, a faded marking on an old bearing, or just the dimensions — any of the three is enough. The wrong bearing costs more than a late one.