What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Ball Screws?

As a common transmission element, ball screw has its unique advantages and disadvantages.

advantage:

High transmission efficiency: The transmission efficiency of the ball screw transmission system is as high as 90% to 98%, which is 2 to 4 times that of the traditional sliding screw system. It can obtain greater thrust with less torque.
High precision: The temperature rise of the ball screw transmission system is small during movement, and it can be pre-tightened to eliminate axial clearance and pre-stretch the screw to compensate for thermal elongation, so it can achieve higher positioning accuracy and repeatable positioning accuracy.
Good synchronization: Due to smooth movement, responsive response, no blockage, and no slip, using multiple sets of the same ball screw transmission system to drive multiple identical components or devices at the same time can achieve good synchronization effects.
High durability and reliability: The rolling contact areas of the steel balls are hardened and precision ground, making the ball screw highly durable. At the same time, the ball screw transmission system has a very low failure rate and is relatively simple to maintain.
Small friction loss: There are many rolling balls between the screw shaft and the screw nut of the ball screw, so it can achieve higher motion efficiency, which is more beneficial in terms of energy saving.
High axial stiffness: the ball screw can be preloaded to make the axial clearance reach a negative value, thereby obtaining high stiffness.
High-speed feed and micro-feed possible: The starting torque of the ball screw is small, there will be no crawling similar to sliding motion, and accurate micro-feed can be ensured.
shortcoming:

High cost: Components such as ball screws and nuts are processed with high precision and have high manufacturing costs. The spiral groove raceways on the screw and nut require grinding and forming surfaces, which requires complex processes and is difficult to manufacture.
Unable to self-lock: Especially the vertical screw, due to the inertial force of its own weight, the moving parts cannot self-lock after the transmission stops, and a braking device is required.
The accuracy and durability are worse than linear guides: The accuracy and durability of ball screws are slightly worse than linear guides. During long-term use, ball screws are prone to wear, deformation, fatigue and other problems, so their durability is not as good as other mechanical transmission components.
Loud noise: When moving at high speed, the ball screw will produce a certain amount of noise.