Perfect fit for Aerospace & Medical
Miniature Metric Precision Ball Screws provide an efficient, cost-effective linear motion solution in a small package. This makes them ideal for use in applications where space is limited (driving a compact design) and highly efficient motion is required.
There is no industry standard that classifies a ball screw as “miniature". However, most manufacturers apply the designation to ball screws with a diameter less than 16 mm. The leads for these ball screw assemblies typically fall within a range of 1 to 20mm. Ball screws with a diameter of 6mm or less are sometimes referred to as “sub-miniature”.
Miniature Metric Ball Screws: Typical Market Segments:
- Medical
- Aerospace & Defense
- Semiconductor
- Optical
- Test & Measurement
Miniature Ball Screws are a highly efficient means (>90%) of converting rotary motion into linear motion. This gives them a distinct advantage over other lead screw devices (typically <50%) when efficiency is crucial to a given linear motion application.
Not to be Confused with "Compact"
Miniature ball screw should not be confused with “compact” versions that many manufacturers typically offer. The term "compact" generally indicates a cylindrical ball nut with internal recirculation. This provides the nut with smaller ("compact") outer diameter. The ball nut diameter has a compact design; however, they are often paired with much larger diameter ball screws.
Similarities with Standard Ball Screws
In some cases, miniature ball screws are similar to the larger “standard” sized versions. As an example, they share many of the same ball nut options including standard, flanged, cylindrical, or threaded. Ball recirculation methods are also similar in design (internal or external). Lead accuracy and preload classes follow the same designations regardless of the screw diameter. And design parameters such as life, load, and critical speed are the same.
Advantages and Differences
in addition to a smaller footprint, miniature ball screws offer an advantage over standard versions due to their very fine leads. This is a significant benefit in applications that require fine adjustments and micro-positioning.
Miniature ball screws utilize very small balls for load carrying. This limits their preloading over traditional sized ball screws (typically 3% difference). However, miniature ball screws can provide more customization flexibility.
Miniature ball screws are typically constructed of stainless steel material because they are used to carry much smaller loads. Stainless steel is less capable of handling heavy loads (unlike standard ball screw material).
Nook Miniature Ball Screws
The Nook Miniature Ball Screw Product Line consists of different offerings in a wide variety of sizes and configurations. Our miniature product line is supplied as a complete assembly. Screw ends can be machined to customer requirements in nearly any diameter and length configuration.
We offer larger sized Precision Metric Ball Screws (PMBS) and a full line of Miniature Metric Ball Screws.
PMBS & Miniature Ball Screw Literature
