WHITE PAPER

Lead Screw Efficiency

Improving the conversion of rotary energy into linear motion

The efficiency of a lead screw refers to how well a screw converts

rotary energy (torque) into linear motion. Lead screw efficiency is a pure
calculated value, and empirical testing is the best method to determine
performance.

tan (helix angle)

Efficiency % = * 100
tan (helix angle + arctan f)
where f is the coefficient of friction

The efficiency of a lead screw is primarily influenced by these factors:

• Lead Distance – i.e. 1mm ~ 25mm (available leads).
• The efficiency is highly dependent upon the lead angle of the screw
thread
• Lead Angle – The angle between the helix of the thread and a line
parallel to the axis of rotation of the screw.
WHITE PAPER: Lead Screw Efficiency PAGE 1
 • Friction – Created by the contact area between the screw and the nut.
• Torque – Translating rotary to linear motion.
• Driving the screw to translate the nut.
• Driving the nut to translate the screw.

PBC Linear Lead screw Efficiencies

Efficiency Percentages - Metric Screw Diameter Efficiency Percentages - Metric Screw Diameter
Metric Metric
Coating Coating
Leads 6mm 10mm 12mm 16mm Leads 6mm 10mm 12mm 16mm

Coated 39 28 24 19 Coated 81 74 71 65
1 mm 8 mm
Uncoated 30 21 18 14 Uncoated 75 66 62 56

Coated 60 45 40 33 Coated 84 78 75 69
2 mm 10 mm
Uncoated 51 36 31 25 Uncoated 78 71 67 61

Coated 71 61 56 49 Coated 84 80 77 72
4 mm 12 mm
Uncoated 62 52 47 40 Uncoated 81 74 70 64

Coated 76 66 62 55 Coated – 84 81 77
5 mm 16 mm
Uncoated 68 57 53 45 Uncoated – 78 75 70

Coated 77 69 65 58 Coated – 86 85 83
6 mm 25 mm
Uncoated 70 61 56 49 Uncoated – 83 81 77

Inch Efficiency Percentages - IPS Screw Diameter

Coating
Leads
What is Back Driving? 3/16″ 1/4″ 3/8″ 7/16″ 1/2″

Back drive is the result of the load (thrust force) pushing Coated 51 – – – –

axially on the nut to create rotary motion. The resulting 0.05”

Uncoated 41 – – – –
torque is known as “back-driving torque” and is the torque
required to hold a load in position. In a vertical orientation, Coated – – – – 44
back drive can occur by the load (or carriage) alone, 0.10”
Uncoated – – – – 35
causing the carriage to drift down. Vibration and other
external factors can also cause this movement. Generally, Coated – – 66 – –
a lead screw with efficiency greater than 50% will have a 0.20”
Uncoated – – 57 – –
tendency to back drive.
Coated – – – – 65
This can be a disadvantage in applications and may
0.250”
require a form of brake be utilized to support the load Uncoated – – – 56
typically in a vertical orientation. In some cases, back
Coated – 82 – – –
drivability may be desired to allow an object to be moved
0.333”
if needed. Uncoated – 76 – – –
Below is the formula to calculate back drive torque, where: 88 – – – –
Coated
Tb = back drive torque (inch pounds) 0.50”
Uncoated 84 – – – –
Pt = thrust load applied to nut (lbs)
Coated – – – 87 –
SL = lead of screw (inches) 1.00”
Uncoated – – – 82 –
Eƒƒ = all screw efficiency (≈90%)

WHITE PAPER: Lead Screw Efficiency PAGE 2

 SL * Pt * Fff
Tb = = 0.143 * L * Pt
2π

Rule of Thumb
Lead Screws typically provide efficiency between 20% - 80%
• Lead Screws that have an efficiency of 50% or greater will back drive.
• When the screw lead is less than 1/3 of the lead screw diameter back
driving will not occur.
Example
• 10mm diameter screw with 2mm lead = 41% Efficiency (<50% will not
back drive)
• 10mm diameter screw with 25mm lead = 83% Efficiency (>50% will
back drive)
Ball screws: Typical Efficiency = 90%
• With a 90% efficiency will back drive.
• This creates the need to provide a form of braking to prevent back Conventional
driving.
lubricants are
How to improve Lead Screw Efficiency?
• Efficiency increases as the screw lead increases.
typically not
• Lead Screw efficiency can be improved by increasing the helix angle of recommended as
a form of lubricant
the thread.
Example
• 10mm diameter screw with 2mm lead = 41% Efficiency. with PTFE lead
• 10mm diameter screw with 25mm lead = 83% Efficiency.
screws and nuts
Lubrication
from PBC Linear.
Conventional lubricants are typically not recommended as a form
of lubricant with PTFE lead screws and nuts from PBC Linear. Using
conventional lubrication can reduce screw coating and nut life. This
is because our proprietary manufacturing process delivers a superior
running surface, which improves performance with reduced pitting and
noise, and extends the life of the nut.
Our lead screws are made from 300 series stainless steel, and the nuts
from polymer. Together, these materials offer outstanding wear and
corrosion resistance. Our lead screws can run maintenance-free because
the polymer nuts are infused with PTFE, offering a continuous form of
lubrication. In addition, our lead screws are available with a PTFE coating,
providing self-lubrication which results in:
• Extended life of both lead screw and nut when compared to un-coated
screws.
• Dry lubrication that will not attract dust & debris.
• A reduction in preventative maintenance vs. non-coated or ball screws.

WHITE PAPER: Lead Screw Efficiency PAGE 3

What happens when a lead screw and nut start making noise? Often, the
first reaction is to apply lubrication to reduce friction and noise, regardless Further Information
of the root cause. Lubrication should be the user’s last resort, with the For questions, contact a PBC Linear
evaluation of motor tuning or alignment of the system being the critical Application Engineer to discuss your
first-steps. In other words, lubrication may be only a “band aid” solution. application. You can contact an engineer
PBC Linear does NOT recommend use of dry film lubricant because: directly by calling 1.800.962.8979 (from
within the USA) or +1.815.389.5600 (from
• The ingredients of the dry film lubricant will degrade the coating on the
outside the USA). If you prefer, e-mail an
screw.
engineer at: appeng@pbclinear.com
• This is a short-term fix with damaging results.
Our lead screws and nuts are intended to be self-lubricating. Coated Version
screws should only be lubricated as a last resort using a recommended This is version 1 of the published white
PTFE-type lubricant such as Uniflor 8981. This lubricant is white in color, paper. © 2021 PBC Linear®, A Division of
and since a very thin film is needed, the screw will have a semi-gloss Pacific Bearing® Company
black appearance when applied. If there is visible white on the screw, too
much lubricant has been applied, allowing dust and debris to stick to the
screw and nut. The customer will need to determine the frequency of
reapplication, based on their preventative maintenance policy.
For more information please download the Lead Screw Technology
catalog, or configure online with the PBC Linear Configurator.

WORLDWIDE HE ADQUARTERS
PBC Linear, A Pacific Bearing Co.
6402 E. Rockton Road, Roscoe, IL 61073 USA
Toll-Free: +1.800.962.8979 sales@pbclinear.com
Office: +1.815.389.5600 www.pbclinear.com
Fax: +1.815.389.5790

EUROPE AN HE ADQUARTERS
PBC Lineartechnik GmbH, A Pacific Bearing Co.
Niermannsweg 11-15, D-40699 Erkrath, Germany
Office: +49.211.416073.10 info@pbclinear.eu
Fax: +49.211.416073.11 www.pbclinear.eu

CHINA HEADQUARTERS
PBC–Moons
168 Mingjia Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 201107
P.R. China
Tel: +86 21 52634688 info@moons.com.cn
Fax: +86 21 52634098 www.moons.com.cn

PBC Linear has a global network of distributors with thousands of locations worldwide.
Visit pbclinear.com to find a distributor near you.

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