Ball and Acme Screw Products

the main function of ball and acme (lead) screw assemblies is to provide a drive mechanism, usually within a positioning table, to move a load. the drive mechanism is an element that contributes to position accuracy, repeatability, speed, and mechanical system resolution. ball screws are the screw of choice for high duty cycle, high speed, and long life applications. the ball screw nut uses one or more circuits of recirculating steel balls which roll between the nut and ball screw grooves, providing an efficient low friction mechanical drive system. the nut, which is attached to the table carriage, moves back and forth in parallel with the linear bearing system as the ball screw rotates. using a higher lead ball screw will offer greater carriage speed for applications requiring rapid traverse, or fast, short incremental moves. key features of a ball screw system are low wear and long life. acme screws typically use a turcite (polymer) or bronze nut. the nut, which is attached t