FAQs

How to Choose Between a Ball Screw

or Planetary Roller Screw Actuator
Could you explain what a ball screw and what a
roller screw are?
We’ll start with the ball screw, which is an assembly that consists of
a screw and a nut, each with matching helical grooves. Ball bearings
roll between these grooves to provide low-friction contact between
the nut and the screw. As the screw (or nut) rotates, the balls are
deflected into the ball return system of the nut and travel through
the return system to the opposite end of the ball nut in a continuous
path. The balls then exit from the ball return system into the ball
screw and nut thread raceways continuously to recirculate in a
closed loop circuit.
The roller screw (or planetary screw) uses precision-ground rollers
(planets) instead of balls as the load transfer elements between the
nut and the screw. Depending on the type of roller screw, the rollers
can be threaded or grooved, providing more bearing points than
ball screws within a given volume. Roller screws are more complex
to manufacture but offer specific benefits to the user.
envelope provided for the device, or when the required lifetime
exceeds that of the appropriately sized ball screw actuator. Because
of the design of the rollers, they can handle much higher loads than
ball screws of similar size. As a result, smaller sized components are
able to meet the same force requirements - only in a smaller package.
What are some primary applications where a ball
screw would be used?
Ball screws are perfect for pick-and-place machines where rigidity
and precision positioning are important; product sorting; some
packaging systems where space is not normally an issue; and other
machines that don’t have to handle high loads in order to fulfill their
jobs. Successful implementations worldwide include automation
and handling, woodworking, printing and paper industries, medical
technology, and textile industries.

What are some of the similarities between the two?

Both types of actuators are capable of similar accuracy ratings since
both use precision ground components throughout. Options for
pre-loading the actuators are also similar and adjustable to fit your
particular application.

What are some of the advantages of a ball screw?

Ball screw actuators offer a few benefits over roller screw actuators.
Ball screw actuators, when sized properly, will often be less
expensive than their roller screw counterparts. Ball screws also
offer higher efficiencies than roller screws, which means that overall
power requirements can be lower, process throughput is higher, and
the requirement for external cooling is reduced. These components
are also easier to repair and replace, providing less downtime.

What are some of the advantages of a roller screw?

Roller screw actuators will be your primary choice for extremely
high-duty-cycle applications where a ball screw actuator that is
sized to meet the requirements does not physically fit into the

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What are some primary applications
where a roller screw would be used?
Think of situations when hydraulic-level forces

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might be required, but cleanliness is important, such
as metalforming and cutting operations, forming

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operations, food production, or plastic injection
molding systems.

Are there additional points I haven’t

covered that might be important
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to know?
You might wish to look into accessories, such as
screw support systems that prevent vibrations at
high rotational speeds from 4,000 mm upward, which
increases the application window for highly dynamic
uses. Another consideration is lubrication. Check for
systems that offer one-point lubrication, if possible. For
mounting, be sure the device offers proper or additional
frame holes as well as some sort of positive-locking
connection to simplify alignment. Finally, depending
on whether you are working with an open-loop or
closed-loop requirement for your application, be sure
that you have easy access to some sort of measuring
system that will provide absolute measurement of
the carriage position.

Precise, Powerful Roller Screws
for High-Force Applications
For cost-effective, high
performance roller screws, make
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PLSA feature a compact design
which makes them easy to
integrate into applications of all
kinds requiring high load capability.
And with Rexroth, you can count
on quality, precision, long service
life and low environmental impact.
Rexroth’s economical PLSAs ship
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solution for applications requiring
up to 25,000 pounds of pressure.
There’s no better way to move
heavy loads. Make your move to
Rexroth’s PLSA.

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For expert advice call 1-800-REXROTH (739-7684)
or email us at info@boschrexroth-us.com