Miniature metric ball screws provide high load capacity in a small footprint

The Thomson miniature metric ball screw line uses a unique multi-start ball return design that maximizes support for higher loads. This design provides precise, smooth, and quiet operation for applications requiring high precision and load handling in confined spaces.

To achieve specified load capacity, designers of laboratory, medical and other space-constrained mechatronics applications must often choose a larger nut, which makes the final equipment larger than it needs to be, said Thomas Schwertner, product manager for ball screws at Thomson. Thanks to our unique ball return system and precision product manufacturing expertise, we can deliver a smaller assembly with higher load handling capacity.

Using more balls enables higher loads to be supported. Thomson miniature metric ball screws accomplish this with a unique multi-liner return system that maximizes the number of circuits and loaded balls in the nut. A miniature metric system with a multi-liner return system, for example, deploys 168 balls in eight circuits to support 7.6 kN of static load, as compared to a single-liner design, which would use 84 balls in four circuits to support only 4.2 kN.

Maximising the number of balls within a single nut also extends the life of the system by spreading the load across multiple points. Furthermore, the Thomson multi-liner return system floats axially to compensate for misalignment.

Thomson says miniature metric ball screws are ideal for designers who specify linear motion components with minimal space requirements. Common applications include:

Diagnostic and life science instruments, such as chemistry analysers

Test and measurement equipment, such as torque testers

Fluid pumping, such as medical infusion pumps

Robotics and pick and place equipment, such as engraving, scanning and printing machines

New Thomson miniature metric ball screws with the multi-liner ball return system are now available in 8 x 2.5, 8 x 5, 10 x 2, 10 x 3, and 12 x 2-mm diameters. Additional size options are currently under development. Mounting interface options include threaded, flanged or cylindrical.

All options feature carbon steel construction, high-performance repeatability (0.05 mm backlash), and 52 m / 300 mm standard lead accuracy (T7). Miniature metric ball screws can also be ordered with higher lead accuracy, preloading and custom coatings such as thin dense chrome and black oxide coating.