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Reference › Glossary › Ball Screw
Definition

Ball Screw

What is Ball Screw?

A ballscrew converts the rotation of a servo motor into precise linear axis motion using recirculating ball bearings between the screw and nut, which gives high efficiency, low friction and minimal backlash. Ballscrews are central to a CNC machine's accuracy and are a common wear item.

Preloaded, ground ballscrews with cooling deliver the tightest accuracy; worn screws are a leading cause of lost precision on older machines.

Also known as

ballscrewrecirculating ballscrew

Related terms

Backlash
Precision
Positioning Accuracy
Precision
Linear Guide
Linear Rails
Rapid Traverse
Specs
Linear Scale
Glass Scale
Repeatability
Precision
Servo Motor
Components
Way Covers
Components
See it in machines → Browse the machine reference

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