MOTION SYSTEM TRENDS
Applications expand
for versatile lead screws
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mprovements in lead screw designs have meant screws that are increasingly competitive with other types of drive screws, including ball screws. For instance, lead screws can offer shorter lead times and better performance, all at a lower cost than other screw technologies. Quite a few lead screw manufacturers offer a range of anti-backlash options, superior accuracy on long lengths, as well as efficiencies over 80%, with no need for grease where TFE coatings are used. As Matt Mowry, North American market manager for Drylin products at igus, notes, as more systems are automated, lead screws become an important motion control component. “That’s because the market is looking for lower cost and more options as far as diameter and lead,” says Mowry. “The lead screw part of the drylin product line is the fastest growing segment, especially in the high-helix geometry (dryspin).”
The improvements and expanded range of options mean more design latitude for designers. This is especially helpful given other industry-wide trends, such as the evolving nature of the relationship with customers and their requirements for more customized solutions from manufacturers. That’s where customization services are offered to meet highly specific demands as well as the tools to help designers select just the right fit for their applications. One company familiar with the customization trend is Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions and Pittman. As Keith Knight, Manger of New Product Innovation puts it, “We have always used our catalog product as the starting point for serving our customers, but quickly adapt our product to meet the unique needs of their application. So much so that approximately 80% of product we sell is customized. More recently we have
LEVEL
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• Innovative Anti-backlash Nut!
Lead accuracy at 2–3 times
Patented Design delivers
the industry baseline achieved
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with German CNC Roll Thread
than conventional designs
machinery and advanced process
as validated in customer testing.
control and metrology.
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