Feb 13, 2011

Maintenance of Ball Screw Assemblies

If you buy a ball screw or a machine that includes a ball screw assembly it is important that you understand the most beneficial treatment of this instrument. A ball screw holds a selection of pieces, along with the ball screw nut, the ball bearings, the screw and the recirculation tool. Everything in the above list must be cared for appropriately, so as to extend the lifespan of every ball screw.



Probably the primary aspect of ball screw maintenance is correct lubricant. Making use of sufficient lubricant means that the ball bearings and other parts can move more freely together. This reduces friction and wear, guaranteeing that the ball screw assembly is more efficient and lengthening its lifetime. Tests have shown that ball screws that function without lubrication can experience a lifespan reduction of up to eighty-five percent.

An added bonus to utilising lubricants stops water from coming into contact with the metal, stopping rust. The most frequent lubricants utilised with ball screws and especially in the ball screw nut area are oil and grease. It is worth noting that it is ill advised to incorporate grease in a ball screw assembly that rotates extremely quickly, or applied to a ball screw assembly which functions in cold environments. A further point to note is that it is better that you do not use any sort of grease that includes solid pieces, and it is not recommended that you utilise graphite grease. Any grease that is essentially a solid suspension can clog the ball screw assembly, stopping the ball bearings from rolling easily.


It is critical that the ball screw assembly is frequently cleaned. All particles or dirt will affect the mechanics of the ball screw. You should never use a thick layer of oil. Over-applying oil may block the ball screw nut, locking the ball bearings and congesting the threads.

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