Ball screw is a very commonly used mechanical component, widely used in various industrial fields, such as: 1. Machine tool industry: Ball screws can be used in position control axis transmission systems such as machine tool guide rails and servo motors to improve the machining accuracy and production efficiency of machine tools. 2. Automation industry: Ball screws can be applied to various automation equipment, such as machining centers, CNC machine tools, laser cutting machines, semiconductor equipment, etc. 3. Aerospace industry: Ball screws are used in various steering gear, guidance, navigation and control systems on aircraft to control the attitude, speed and direction of the aircraft. 4. Medical equipment industry: Ball screws are also used in various equipment in the medical industry, such as bone saws, surgical robots, medical diagnostic equipment, etc., to control the movement and position of the equipment. In short, the ball screw has become one of the indispensable and important basic components in modern industrial manufacturing, with a wide range of applications.

A ball screw is a mechanical element commonly used to transmit motion and force. It consists of a threaded shaft and a nut, and the balls are used to transmit force and motion through the threads between the threaded shaft and the nut. The balls play the role of transmitting force, reducing friction and side motion, and improving transmission efficiency and precision. The identification criteria of ball screws can be described by the following aspects. The first is the pitch, which indicates the distance the ball screw moves forward per rotation. The pitch determines the speed and sensitivity of the ball screw, usually expressed in millimeters/turn or inches/turn. The second is the load capacity. The load capacity of a ball screw describes the maximum load it can withstand, usually in Newtons (N) or pounds-force (lbf). The load capacity directly affects the scope of use and application of the ball screw. Different working environments and requirements require the selection of appropriate load capacity. The third is the accuracy level. The accuracy level refers to the accuracy of the movement and transmission of the ball screw. Commonly used accuracy levels include C0, C3, C5, etc. The accuracy grade determines the positioning accuracy and repeatability of the ball screw, which is very important for applications that require high-precision position control. In addition, the diameter, length, material, etc. of the ball screw are also important contents in the identification description. The diameter and length affect the overall size and installation method of the ball screw, while the material determines the strength and durability of the ball screw. Nanjing Shuntai Precision Ball Screw Pair is standardized into 8 types of nuts as shown in the figure. In addition, in order to meet customer requirements, we can make non-standardized nuts with special shapes (such as square, axis intersection, etc.), special properties (such as high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, etc.) and unconventional formats (such as extension, heavy load). If you have any needs, please consult.

I. Introduction In modern machining, lathes are fundamental and critical processing equipment. Their precision and efficiency directly impact product quality and production profitability. With the continuous advancement of industrial technology, traditional sliding screws are no longer able to meet the demands of high-precision, high-efficiency machining. As an advanced transmission element, ball screws, due to their superior performance, have been widely used in lathes, significantly improving their overall performance. II. Basic Structure and Working Principle of Ball Screws A ball screw consists of a screw shaft, nut, balls, a circulation system, and a sealing device. Its operating principle is to convert rotational motion into linear motion through the rolling motion of the balls between the screw shaft and nut. Compared to traditional sliding screws, ball screws use rolling friction instead of sliding friction, a fundamental change that results in significant performance improvements. III. Specific Applications of Ball Screws in Lathes Feed Systems: Modern CNC lathes commonly use ball screws as the core transmission component of the feed system to control the precise movement of the tool. X- and Z-axis movement is typically achieved by servo motors driving ball screws. Spindle Stock Positioning: In high-precision lathes, ball screws are often used for axial positioning of the spindle stock to ensure accurate spindle position. Tailstock Movement: Some advanced lathe designs use ball screws to control tailstock movement, improving adjustment accuracy and ease of operation. Automatic Tool Changer: In the automatic tool changing system of a turning center, ball screws are responsible for precise toolholder position control. IV. Technical Advantages of Ball Screws in Lathe Applications High Transmission Efficiency: The transmission efficiency of ball screws can reach over 90%, far exceeding the 20-40% of sliding screws, significantly reducing energy loss. Excellent Positioning Accuracy: Through precision manufacturing and preload adjustment, ball screws achieve micron-level repeatability, meeting high-precision machining requirements. Long Service Life: Due to their rolling friction principle, wear is minimal, with a service life of up to 5-10 times that of sliding screws. Excellent High-Speed Performance: Suitable for high-speed feed motion. Modern high-speed lathes can achieve rapid traverse speeds of 30-60 m/min. High Axial Rigidity: Preloading can improve axial rigidity, reducing deformation and vibration during machining. V. Considerations for Ball Screw Applications in Lathes Protective Measures: Dust protection and sealing must be ensured to prevent chips and coolant from entering the ball screw circulation system. Lubrication Management: Although friction is low, regular lubrication is still required, generally using lithium-based grease or circulating oil. Installation Precision: During installation, ensure parallelism between the screw and the guide rail to avoid additional bending moments that may affect service life. Anti-Reverse Measures: Vertical installation requires a brake to prevent reverse rotation. Thermal Deformation Control: Heat generated during high-speed operation may affect accuracy, so thermal compensation measures should be considered. VI. Future Development Trends in Ball Screw Technology Higher Precision Levels: Research and development of nanometer-level precision ball screws is ongoing. Intelligent Functions: Integrated sensors enable condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. New Material Applications: Exploring new materials such as ceramic balls and composite nuts. High-Speed Development: DN values (screw diameter x rotational speed) continue to increase, meeting the demand for higher machining efficiency. Environmentally Friendly Design: Development of lubrication-free or self-lubricating technologies reduces environmental pollution. VII. Conclusion The application of ball screws in lathes has become an important support for modern high-precision and high-efficiency processing. Shuntai ball screws can be customized in different models. Welcome to consult us. We are online 24 hours a day to answer your questions.

In the precision operation of industrial equipment, transmission components act like "joints," determining the accuracy and lifespan of the entire machine. However, many buyers often make mistakes when selecting ball screws and linear guides due to parameter confusion and application mismatches. Nanjing Shuntai (https://www.nanjingshuntai.com/), a company deeply involved in the precision transmission field, will share its practical experience to help you clarify your thinking. I. Selection: Five Common Misconceptions Common Selection Misconceptions (Nanjing Shuntai Helps You Avoid): Misconception 1: Focusing on Diameter, Not Lead. Error: Thinking Larger Diameter is Better. Correct: Diameter primarily affects rigidity and critical speed, while lead directly determines speed and thrust. For high-speed applications, a larger lead should be prioritized, and rigidity should be ensured by increasing the diameter. Misconception 2: Ignoring the Stress Rod Stability. Misconception: For lead screws with a large aspect ratio (slender types), only checking the lifespan without checking the allowable axial load can lead to unstable bending during operation. Correct: For applications with a large aspect ratio, stress rod stability must be checked. Misconception 3: Exceeding the critical speed. Error: Motor speed can be increased indefinitely. Correct: The operating speed must be kept below the critical speed, otherwise severe vibration will occur. Increase the critical speed by changing the mounting method, increasing the diameter, or shortening the span. Misconception 4: Selecting too high or too low an accuracy grade. Error: Blindly pursuing the highest accuracy, or choosing too low an accuracy grade to save money. Correct: Comprehensively consider the equipment's positioning accuracy, repeatability, and budget. Grade C7 is sufficient for most general applications. Misconception 5: Ignoring the importance of preload. Error: Not understanding the role of preload. Correct: Preload eliminates axial play and improves rigidity, but it also increases wear and heat generation. Select preload for high-precision, high-rigidity applications; select light or no preload for light loads and high speeds. II. Installation: Details determine accuracy and lifespan. Many users report that "a new lead screw makes unusual noises after just six months of use." This is likely due to installation problems. Nanjing Shuntai's lead screw installation and commissioning video emphasizes that guideway parallelism errors exceeding 0.02mm/m will cause abnormal wear of the slider; coaxial misalignment of the bearing seats at both ends of the lead screw is a major cause of vibration. Jining local customers can schedule on-site installation services, where technicians will perform on-site calibration with a laser interferometer to ensure optimal performance of each device. III. Maintenance: Simple Operations Extend Lifespan by Three Times Regular lubrication is the lifespan of transmission components, but using the wrong grease can be detrimental. Nanjing Shuntai's technical advice: Use lithium-based grease for high-speed lead screws, extreme-pressure grease for heavy-duty guide rails, and high-temperature grease if the ambient temperature exceeds 80°C. IV. Summary: The selection of ball screws and linear guides requires rigorous engineering calculations. By keeping in mind the five core factors of "load, speed, accuracy, rigidity, and lifespan," following a scientific selection process, and leveraging the expertise of a professional team like Nanjing Shuntai, you can easily avoid 90% of selection errors and create a stable, precise, and durable linear motion system for your equipment.