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.

The spline screw in the SCARA (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) four-axis robot is a key transmission component, mainly used to achieve high-precision linear motion and rotational motion (θ axis, usually the fourth axis) of the robot in the vertical direction (Z axis). The following is its detailed use and description: 1. Main use Z-axis lifting motion: The spline screw converts the rotational motion of the motor into precise linear motion, driving the end effector of the robot arm (such as grippers, suction cups, etc.) to move up and down in the vertical direction. Rotational motion transmission: The spline structure transmits torque at the same time to achieve the rotation of the fourth axis (such as the rotation of the end tool), meeting the needs of assembly, screw tightening and other operations. High precision and rigidity: Suitable for scenarios that require repeatable positioning accuracy (such as ±0.01mm) and resistance to lateral forces (such as precision assembly and handling). Synchronous motion: When the Z-axis lifting and rotational motions work together (such as inserting parts), the spline screw can ensure the synchronization of the two motions. 2. Structural description Spline part: The external spline cooperates with the internal spline sleeve to transmit the rotational torque (θ axis), while allowing the shaft to slide up and down in the spline sleeve (Z axis), realizing the combination of rotation and linear motion. Screw part: The precision ball screw converts the rotation of the servo motor into linear motion, providing high-precision, low-friction lifting drive. Integrated design: The spline and the screw are usually integrated on the same shaft, saving space and simplifying the transmission chain. 3. Core features High load capacity: The spline structure disperses torque and radial force, suitable for cantilever loads (such as horizontally extended robotic arms). Low backlash: The preloaded ball screw and spline cooperate to reduce the motion gap and improve the repeatability. Compactness: The integrated design reduces external transmission components and adapts to the narrow joint space of the SCARA robot. Durability: Hardened steel or coating technology is used, which is wear-resistant and has a long life (such as more than 20,000 hours). 4. Typical application scenarios Electronic assembly: PCB board plug-in, chip handling (requires Z-axis precision lifting + rotation alignment). Automated production line: screwing, gluing (rotation and pressing action). Medical equipment: reagent packaging, test tube operation (dust-free, low vibration requirements). 5. Comparison with other transmission methods Characteristics Spline screw Timing belt + guide rod Linear motor Accuracy High (μm grade) Medium (affected by belt elasticity) Very high Load capacity High (suitable for heavy loads) Medium-low Medium Cost Medium Low High Maintenance complexity Regular lubrication Belt replacement Almost maintenance-free 6. Selection considerations Accuracy level: Select C3/C5 screw according to the task. Dust-proof design: Sealed spline sleeve prevents dust from entering (such as IP54 protection). Lubrication method: Automatic lubrication or maintenance-free grease design. Through the composite function of the spline screw, the SCARA robot can efficiently complete complex movements with limited degrees of freedom, becoming the mainstream choice in 3C, automotive electronics and other fields.

In the field of modern industrial automation and precision machinery, arm robots have become an indispensable and important equipment. In this type of high-precision mechanical system, ball screws, as key transmission components, play a vital role. This article will explore in depth the application of ball screws in arm robots and their technical characteristics. Ball screws are a precision mechanical element that converts rotational motion into linear motion. They are composed of screws, nuts, balls, and return systems. Compared with traditional sliding screws, their biggest feature is to reduce friction through the rolling contact of the balls, thereby achieving high efficiency (usually up to 90% or more) and high-precision motion transmission. The application advantages of ball screws in arm robots are as follows: High-precision positioning: Modern industrial-grade arm robots usually need to achieve micron-level positioning accuracy. The small backlash and precise lead of ball screws make them an ideal choice. High load capacity: The large contact area of the balls disperses stress, allowing arm robots to handle heavier workpieces without affecting accuracy. Long life and low maintenance: Rolling friction greatly reduces wear, extends service life and reduces maintenance frequency. High speed response: Low friction characteristics allow faster acceleration and improve the efficiency of arm robots. Despite the obvious advantages, ball screws still face some challenges in arm robot applications: Thermal deformation problems: Heat generated by high-speed movement may lead to reduced accuracy. Modern solutions include the use of cooling systems and low thermal expansion materials. Miniaturization needs: With the development of collaborative robots, the demand for compact ball screws is growing, which has promoted the development of miniature ball screw technology. Intelligent integration: The new generation of ball screws has begun to integrate sensors to monitor load, temperature and wear status in real time to achieve predictive maintenance. With the advancement of Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing, arm robots have put forward higher requirements for ball screws: Higher precision: The demand for nanometer-level positioning accuracy is driving the development of ultra-precision ball screws. Intelligence: "Smart screws" with built-in sensors will become standard. New material applications: The application of ceramic balls and composite materials will further improve performance. Green manufacturing: more environmentally friendly production processes and recyclable designs are valued. As the "precision muscle" of arm robots, the technological progress of ball screws directly determines the performance ceiling of robots. With the development of material science, manufacturing processes and intelligent control technology, ball screws will continue to push arm robots towards higher precision, higher efficiency and more intelligence, providing more powerful automation solutions for modern manufacturing. If you are interested, please contact us, we have the most professional and standardized team technical support.