Hojama ball screws are categorized into Miniature Ball Screws, Precision Ball Screws, Rolled Ball Screws, and bidirectional ball screws. These ball screw assemblies employ advanced manufacturing processes, featuring a pitch accuracy of up to ±12μm and a repeated positioning accuracy of up to ±8μm. They support full-specification customization for diameters ranging from 3 to 120mm and leads from 0.5 to 80mm. Customization services are also available for length, diameter, material, shaft end processing, surface treatment, and more.
I. Manufacturing Processes of Ball Screw
1. Material Selection
Ball screw assemblies require materials with exceptional strength, rigidity, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, impact toughness, fatigue resistance, and high-temperature resistance. Commonly adopted materials include high-strength bearing steel (e.g., GCr15) and stainless steel (e.g., 304, 316), which ensure the mechanical properties and service life of the components under diverse working conditions.
2. Processing Methods
The manufacturing of linear motion ball screw kits involves three key processes:
1) Screw Processing: Adopting precision grinding or rolling techniques to form the screw thread with strict control over the pitch error and surface roughness. For high-precision requirements, multi-axis CNC grinding machines are utilized to achieve micron-level dimensional accuracy.
2) Ball Production: High-purity bearing steel balls are manufactured through processes like cold heading, heat treatment, and precision grinding, with the roundness error controlled within microns to ensure smooth ball circulation.
3) Ball Circulation System Processing: The nut's ball groove and return device are machined via milling or grinding to ensure the consistency of the ball path and minimize motion resistance.
3. Assembly Technology
Assembly of high-performance ball screws involves the following critical steps:
Dimensional Control: Components (screw shaft, ball nut, balls) are sorted by precision grades to ensure matching clearances.
Lubrication and Sealing: Specialized grease is applied to reduce friction and wear. Sealing rings (e.g., rubber or metal shields) are installed to prevent dust and debris from entering, ensuring long-term stable operation in harsh environments.
II. Applications of Ball Screw Assembly
1. Machine Tools
Hojama ball screw pairs efficiently convert rotational motion into linear motion, enabling precise control of tool paths in CNC lathes, milling machines, and grinders.
2. Automation
In automated production lines and robotic systems (e.g., pick-and-place robots, assembly arms), high-precision ball screws collaborate with servo motors to realize rapid and accurate linear motion control.
3. Electronic Machinery
In semiconductor manufacturing equipment (e.g., wafer stage systems) and LCD panel production lines, ball screws, combined with linear guides, enable micron-level positioning for processes like chip bonding and panel cutting. The corrosion-resistant stainless-steel ball screws are suitable for cleanroom environments.
4. Conveying Machinery
In logistics sorting systems and medical equipment (e.g., CT scanner beds), ball screws drive conveyor belts or lifting platforms with stable motion and low noise. The self-locking function of certain lead screw designs ensures safety during load-holding.
5. Aerospace
Customized Hojama ball screws are applied in satellite antenna adjustment mechanisms and aircraft landing gear systems, where they withstand high loads and extreme temperatures. The weight-optimized design (e.g., hollow screws) meets aerospace payload requirements.
Product Portfolio and Services
Hojama offers a comprehensive range of linear motion products, including ball screws, Lead Screws, linear guides, Ball Splines, and Linear Modules. All products undergo 100% performance testing (e.g., load capacity, life cycle) to ensure cost-effectiveness. For quotation, please provide detailed product drawings.
