PBC Linear is expanding its screw-driven product line with the addition of miniature metric ball screw assemblies. The anticipated development of this new group of ball screws is in response to an influx of customer inquiries and the growing demand for miniature ball screws.Their usage profile has expanded across a wide range of industries that include medical, semi-conductor, aviation, and other automation applications. Customers may purchase miniature ball screw assemblies (without motor) or peruse our miniature ball screw motor series. This newest product family will further meet those demands and provide balance to our lead screw line, offering customers the full scope of light-load, high-speed options when it comes to sophisticated, screw-driven applications.
Introducing our new internal return multiliner ball screw nuts for short leads (cylindrical and flange style).
Stop waiting and get rolling with American-made* miniature ball screw assemblies from PBC Linear. Our ball screw production process offers shorter lead times, avoiding costly downtimes and delays getting to market! With ball screws from PBC Linear, you can count on our recognized high-precision standards and competitive pricing for a superior value. Standard ball screws ship assembled, but are also available unassembled.
Introducing our new end-cap return ball screw nuts for long leads (cylindrical and flange style).
Ball screws can offer considerable performance advantages over alternative types of linear motion technology, as listed below:
As with lead screws, ball screw assemblies are used to convert rotational motion to linear motion. They typically include a ball nut, threaded shaft, and a recirculating system that utilizes a continuous movement of balls to transfer forces and propel the nut along the screw. Each ball screw and nut are engineered with gothic arch threads that define the track of the nut and screw thread, offering high rigidity, durability, and duty cycles. The main benefits of ball screws are higher efficiency and accuracy, making them ideal for a variety of industrial and automotive applications. Miniature metric ball screw nuts from PBC Linear feature two types of ball return systems to accomodate shorter or longer leads. Short leads are synonomous with internal multiliner returns, and long leads are represented in our end-cap return system.
Internal return multiliner nuts are versatile and built to function with shorter leads and lighter loads. Their compact geometry and lighter weight offer a great option for space-saving applications requiring high precision linear motion.
End-cap return nuts route the flow of ball bearings from one end of the nut to the other. This design provides increased speed options because of its ability to accommodate longer leads, which is not practical in the multiliner nut design.
Our miniature metric ball screw product line is currently offered in diameter sizes of 6 mm, 8 mm, and 10 mm, with options for lead length and nut type. Depending on the application, each nut can be acquired in either a flanged or cylindrical configuration.
Dynamic load ratings are an important factor when determining the correct miniature ball screw for an application. PBC Linear will provide conservative dynamic load rating values within this product family, based on 1,000,000 Rev (N). This ensures trusted, reliable performance for those looking to implement miniature ball screws into their systems.
Preload Option -- Ball screws from PBC Linear come standard without preload (backlash clearance held to 0.05 mm MAX). Contact a PBC Linear Application Engineer about reduced backlash options.
Motors – Customers looking for a complete ball screw package can count on PBC Linear for the most appropriate world-class NEMA stepper motors to offer precise positioning and speed control.
Journaling -- Custom journaling of the screw ends and additional support blocks can be requested for unique customer requirements.
6 mm x 1 mm
Internal Multi-liner
8 mm x 1 mm
Internal Multi-liner
8 mm x 2 mm
Internal Multi-liner
8 mm x 2.5 mm
Internal Multi-liner
10 mm x 2 mm
Internal Multi-liner
When choosing a ball screw and nut assembly, engineers should consider their application’s core requirements including load, speed, stroke, and accuracy.
When it comes to deciding between lead screws and ball screws, each has its own unique advantages within certain industries. The obvious difference is the recirculating balls within ball screw assemblies, which help alleviate the sliding friction that’s associated with lead screw technology. Once you have established the load, accuracy, and lead for your application, consider other factors such as lead accuracy, efficiency, noise, maintenance, and longevity.
If you need help deciding on whether to use a lead screw or ball screw for your linear-motion application, contact one of our application engineers today.
When bringing products to market, PBC Linear uses a methodical approach to research and development. As with lead screws, customers can be assured that each of our new product introductions has gone through all the necessary testing parameters. We utilize high-end testing equipment such as Keyence optical comparators, Mitutoyo thread form tracers, and custom dynamic lead checkers that analyze up to 15,000 points per meter.
For both our lead screw and ball screws, we use a high-precision, roll-threading process for the most consistent thread forms and high accuracy rate. In addition, we measure and record 100% positional accuracy along the entire travel length of the screw.
Get your complete miniature metric ball screw and nut package that’s out-of-the-box ready to be lubricated and integrated into your next OEM project. We offer shorter lead times, which is accomplished through our ball screw production process and central Midwestern location where we engineer and produce many of our products. We are proud to say that our miniature ball screws are made in America*.
*Ball screws from PBC Linear are Made in America using both domestic and foreign material sources.