Friday, December 17, 2010

Ball Screw Assembly Lubrication

When you purchase a ball screw or a machine that includes a ball screw assembly you should understand the correct care of this tool. A ball screw holds a lot of different parts, e.g the ball screw nut, the ball bearings, the screw and the recirculation apparatus. Every item mentioned must be cared for appropriately, in order to increase the functionality of your ball screw. Probably the principal part of ball screw maintenance is appropriate lubricant. Applying sufficient lubricant ensures that the ball bearings and other components can move more freely together. This reduces friction and wear, ensuring your ball screw assembly has improved efficiency and maximising its lifetime. It is understood that ball screws that are used minus lubrication can experience a lifespan reduction of up to eighty-five percent. Another bonus point to making use of lubricants makes the metallic parts waterproof, shielding against corrosion. The two most common lubricants added to ball screws and mainly in the ball screw nut region are oil and grease. It is important to note that it is ill advised to utilise grease in a ball screw assembly that rotates very quickly, or with one that is used at low temperatures. A further point to note is that it is better that you never use a grease that contains minute solid components, and it is also best not to use graphite grease. Anything that has solid particles in it may jam the ball screw assembly, stopping the ball bearings from rolling easily.

It is crucial that the ball screw assembly is frequently cleaned. Any particles or dirt can be detrimental to the mechanics of the ball screw. You should also refrain from using a lot of oil. Excessive use of oil can congest the ball screw nut, blocking the ball bearings and clogging the threads.

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