How to Choose a Ball Screw Linear Actuator Supplier for CNC Applications

Summary

It takes time, which is necessary. You need to choose a ball screw linear actuator supplier through a deep analysis. This blog will help you know what to do. It is about searching for a supplier who can specifically meet your every requirement. Such suppliers are few and might be mostly available in China. What you should do is collect information from B2B platforms on the basis of suppliers’ production quality, quantity, price, and post-sales services. Then look for quality standard compliance and production capacity of the supplier to see if it can meet your requirements. Finalize the price, complete the documentation process, and ensure that payment and delivery are safe.

Supplier Analysis 

The first thing is always about the supplier analysis. Once you do it well, the rest of the steps will be easier. It is like an anchor point, which affects the whole process because the quality of ball screw liner actuators fully relies on it.

You can find suppliers on B2B platforms like Tradewheel.com, Alibaba.com, Made-in-China.com, etc. There are lots of options available online. Suzhou New Rising Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. is also a Chinese supplier that offers globally compliant quality for its buyers. Once you select a supplier based on different factors, here is what you should do next.

Material Quality

The material of ball screw linear actuators matters a lot. Since they have to frequently move inside a CNC machine, the risk of wear and tear is high. Therefore, choose a high-strength alloy steel or carbon steel depending on your budget. You can also ask for samples before placing a large order, so you can inspect the quality and trustworthiness of the supplier.

Do not compromise on the material because abrasion resistance is a part of consideration you should make. If the actuators can resist abrasion, wear, and tear, the performance will be better. CNC machines need actuators that are compatible with the servo motors to provide efficiency.

Standards Compliance

Your selected supplier must comply with JIS B1192 and ISO 3408 standards. If it complies, you need to move on to the next step, which is grade selection.

• C0 and C1 grades are for superior precision.

• C3 grade is for good precision and is very common for CNC machines. It has usually +- 0.007 accuracy level.

• C5 grade is for standard precision; the accuracy level is +- 0.18. 

• C7 to C10 grades are low-precision, with an accuracy of +- 0.50. They are more cost-effective ball screw linear actuators than precision-friendly. 

Production Capacity 

Ask your supplier about their production capacity because meeting your requirement could be a challenge if production capacity is low. You need to ask about it along with flexibility in production for grades, sizes, and other customizations. If your supplier can meet specifications regarding the type of actuators you need, you can go ahead. However, those specifications are not as simple as you imagine. There is a vast section that you will read after the next section. You will have to make sure your supplier has enough capabilities to meet each specific requirement.

Price and Supply Capacity

Does your selected supplier have any logistics support to dispatch orders to your destination? Ask it, but after finalizing the discounts. You need to ask for the maximum discount when going for bulk procurement from a supplier, especially a Chinese one. Chinese suppliers usually have better discounts because of their massive production size and customization capacity. Once you finalize the price, logistics, documentation, customs clearance, and payment factors, here is what you need to pay attention to.

Never Miss These Factors When Sourcing Ball Screw Linear Actuators

Here are some factors that can make or break the performance expectations. Screw ball linear actuators are among the key components in CNC machines for milling, drilling, and routing functions. The servo motor, screwball, shaft, and every subcomponent require your attention when placing an order. Your supplier must have the capacity to meet your specific requirements. Here they are.

Rolled Ball Screw and Ground Ball Screw

You should choose between rolled ball screws and ground ball screws. Grades like C10 and C7 work best with roller ball screws, which are cost-effective ones. If you choose C0, C1, C2, C3, and C5 grades, choose ground ball screws, because they focus on precision. Besides, a large-diameter ball screw supports heavy-duty applications. So, you will have to pick the ball screw carefully, whether you are focusing on cost-effectiveness or precision.

Screw Selection, Load Bearing Capacity, and Contact Area of Rolling Balls

Look for high rigidity because it provides better safety against wear and tear. Do a peak and average loading capacity analysis before selecting ball screws. If the rolling balls have a larger contact area, they can bear heavier loads. It means it is not just about selecting a supplier for ball screw linear actuators, but much more than that.

Stability in Operations

There must be stability in operations against rolling friction. The performance of actuators depends on the movement of ball screws and shafts. Their repeatability in operations can affect the performance of a CNC machine. Every kind of application requires a different size of ball screw and shaft. You will have to share your application details, CNC machine’s details, and objectives with the supplier when sourcing actuators.

Focus on Preloaded Ball Nut Against Backlash 

There are problems like backlash in ball screw linear actuators. Ask your supplier to supply preloaded ball nuts that eliminate friction and backlash in the movement. Preloading will keep the balls intact with the raceway. Also, choosing double nuts might reduce the backlash risk. They also increase rigidity in the shaft. Double nuts keep the stiffness high to eliminate backlash. 

Axial Play Ball Nut Provides Frictionless Movement in Simple Operations

If you want frictionless and smooth movement of actuators in CNC machines, go for axial play ball nuts. Your supplier must have them to meet your requirements regarding lightweight and swift movements of actuators.

Pitch Size is Key for Movement Speed and Impact

Pitch size defines the speed at which the screw covers the distance. Higher pitch leads to faster distance coverage on each motor revolution. Smaller pitch provides slower but fewer impacts in the process. Different types of operations in CNC machines require different pitch sizes, and you can select that through ball screw linear actuators. Ask your supplier if it could meet this requirement.

Manage RPM Below Critical Threshold Speed

High resonance can take place if there are long spans of rotating screws. Select the actuator stroke length and shaft diameter that match each other’s compatibility. You need to adjust the RPM of the servo motor below the critical threshold speed. It has lots of impact on the performance of a CNC machine’s routing, milling, and drilling operations. The actuator’s shaft also faces high impact if the RPM is higher than the threshold speed. 

Prevent Shaft Buckling by Using Large Diameters or Thick Shafts 

There is another problem that could take place, which is buckling. You need to prevent it by using thick or larger-diameter shafts to reduce vibrations in the ball screw movement. If your supplier can meet these requirements, you can go ahead. 

Choose Wiper-Sealed Ball Screw Raceways Against Dust, Coolant, and Chips 

A ball screw that has a wiper seal prevents the balls from facing dust and chips. You can ask your suppliers to provide such wiper-sealed ball screw linear actuators. There will be no risk of dust, chips, and coolant accumulation then. These elements cause blockages in the movement of the nut, which affects the CNC machine’s performance.

Conclusion 

There are lots of factors that affect your decision when selecting ball screw linear actuators. The nut and shaft’s dimensions, material quality, type, pitch size, and lots of factors are part of the supplier selection process. You need to share your requirements along with desired objectives with the supplier. It will be easier for them to provide exactly what you need.

Since you know how to choose a ball screw linear actuator supplier for CNC applications, you need to do one more thing. Ask for a sample actuator and inspect the quality of the material, mechanism, and durability. Make sure you have enough documentation from the supplier to support the claims. Certifications, export documents, and all the supporting documents need to be there. Choose a payment platform that is reliable and neutral. Also, make sure your supplier has international shipping because there are many Chinese suppliers who offer better quality and price. 

Frequently Asked Questions

I Need to Replace Ball Screw Linear Actuators in My CNC Machines, Where Can I Find Them? 

Source them from Suzhou New Rising Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. It is a wholesaler that has compatible, affordable, and bulk ball screw Linear Actuators for buyers like you. Industrial and commercial buyers who look for such deals can try it.

How Can I Procure Cost-Effective and High-Performance Ball Screw Linear Actuators?

You can do that by choosing a supplier who offers both benefits. Such suppliers are available in the industry, and one of them is Suzhou New Rising Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. You can contact it and get details regarding the production quantity, quality, specifications, and prices.