Helix Linear Technologies Blog

Ball Screw Driven Linear Actuators = Large Load Carrying Capabilities

Written by Zhane Isom | Sep 11, 2023

Today's linear motion and automation challenges require higher precision and faster speeds.

Ball screws offer an efficient means of converting rotary motion to linear motion. A ball screw is an improvement over an acme screw or lead screw just as an anti-friction ball bearing is an improvement over a plain bushing.  Ball screw assemblies have a number of bearing balls that transfer the load between the nut and screw.

Ball screw stepper motor linear actuators from Helix Linear Technologies allow engineers to design highly repeatable motion control systems that perform at high duty cycles. Linear actuators constructed with ball screws benefit from heavier load carrying capabilities and low friction, high efficiency, and reduced wear in a packaged assembly.

Helix Linear ball screw stepper motor linear actuators are available in NEMA 8, 11, 14, 17, 23, and 34 motor frame sizes and double and single stack configurations. Incorporation of the ball screw and motor eliminates a coupling and increases stroke length. In addition, the reduced drive torque necessary to drive the ball screw provides more motor torque to move the load.

Other ball screw stepper motor linear actuator characteristics include:

  • High load ratings, and are therefore suitable for high static and dynamic loads
  • Excellent efficiency (ยต > 0.9)
  • Low drive power required
  • Low energy consumption
  • Low self-heating
  • Low-friction operation No stick-slip effect
  • High accuracy for positioning and repetition
  • High reliability and long service life with minimum need for maintenance
  • Wipers available on request

Ball screw actuators from Helix Linear are also available in rod-style electric cylinders and linear slides and stages, providing multiple options depending on your application needs.

We'd love to hear about your next design project. We can help you determine if a ball screw-driven linear actuator solution is the right fit.

Speak to one of our ball screw application specialists today.