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MOTION CONTROL AT THE SPEED OF TECHNOLOGY™
Ball Screw vs. Acme Screw Drive Systems
The chart below compares the primary differences between Ball and Acme Screw drive systems.
| Consideration | Acme Screw | Ball Screws | Comments | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rolled | Precision | Ground | |||
| Audible Noise | Least audible noise | Most audible noise | Less audible noise than rolled screw | Less audible noise than precision screw |
Acme: no rolling elements provide for quiet operation. Ball: recirculating balls in nut assembly transmit audible noise during motion; due to more accurate machining procedures - precision & ground ball screws are quiter than rolled ball screws. |
| Back Driving Loads | May prevent back driving | Can easily back drive a load | Can easily back drive a load | Can easily back drive a load |
Acme: good for light loads & vertical applications. Ball: recirculating balls in nut assembly producte a low friction system; vertical applications may require a brake to hold the load when no power is applied to the motor. |
| Backlash Non-preloaded nut |
Will increase with wear | Constant | Constant | Constant |
Acme: preloaded nut assembly eliminates backlash. Ball: preloaded nut assembly eliminates backlash. |
| Duty Cycle | Low to medium (< 50%) | High (100%) | High (100%) | High (100%) |
Acme: low duty cycle due to high sliding friction. Ball: high duty cycle due to recirculating balls in nut assemble - high efficiency & low friction system. |
| Life | Shorter due to higher friction | Long | Long | Long |
Acme: mechanical wear related to duty cycle, load & speed. Ball: minimal wear if operated in proper environment, within load specifications, and periodically lubricated. |
| Relative - Cost | Slightly more than rolled ball | Least expensive | Slightly more than rolled ball | Most expensive |
Acme: a little more expensive than the rolled ball screw. Ball: due to more accurate manufacturing procedures precision rolled & ground ball screws are more expensive. |
| Screw Efficiency | low (40% Acme, 60% Turcite) | High (90%) | High (90%) | High (90%) |
Acme: low efficiency due to high sliding friction. Ball: high efficiency sue to recirculating balls in nut assembly - low friction system. |
| Smoothness | Can be smooth | Least smooth | Medium smoothness | Smoothest |
Acme: due to friction can start/stop at very low speeds. Ball: smoothness is constant through a wide speed range; due to more accurate manufacturing procedures precision & ground ball screws are smoother than rolled ball screws. |
| Speeds | Low | High | High | High |
Acme: high friction can cause excess heat & wear at high speeds. Ball: recirculating balls in nut provide for a high speed system due to low friction & high efficiency. |
