THK, the leading European supplier of linear motion solutions, has launched an extensive new range of standard rolled and precision ground ballscrews that have been developed specifically to meet the European DIN 69051 part 5 (ISO 3408-5) standard.  Designed and produced at the company’s manufacturing facility in Coventry, the new ballscrews offer high levels of precision and long term reliability with almost zero maintenance costs, plus a choice of ballscrew lead accuracy, nuts and flanges, making the range suitable for use in a wide variety of applications.

Designated EP/EB, the new range of ballscrews has been launched to cater for the growing demand for standardised components for use by OEMs and end users in systems destined for both the UK and export markets.  The range is available in screw shaft diameters from 16 mm to 63 mm, in lengths of between 550 mm and 4200 mm, and meets DIN specified levels of accuracy, to grades Cp 3 and Cp 5. 

The precision ground ballscrews are designed for use in applications where more rigorous levels of overall performance, especially high axial rigidity, are required, while the precision rolled versions are generally specified in less demanding or more cost sensitive areas.  In each case, the new ballscrews can be specified with a choice of ballscrew nuts, with different flanges and methods of controlling the recirculating inner balls being available; this can be by means either of a return tube, which automatically collects and returns balls to the beginning of the load zone, or a deflector plate, which essentially carries out the same task but allows the profile of the nut to be considerably reduced.

In addition, the new ballscrews can be supplied with or without a pre-load facility to reduce axial clearance to zero and minimise displacement with respect to axial load.  This is achieved by slightly offsetting the pitch of the ballscrew nut, by using a double nut and spacer arrangement or by using a modified spring structure within the ball race in each ballscrew nut.

The new range of DIN standard ballscrews is available with optional support units and precision finished shaft ends, for different applications.  Screw shafts are also available with bellows and screw covers, for protection against contamination from dust, dirt and debris, such as swarf and coolant, while for applications with suspended dust particles labyrinth and brush seals are available.  Standard delivery is quoted by THK as four weeks.