High-Lead Ball Screws: maximum feed rate at minimal rotational speed
Increase the dynamics of your application. High-Lead Ball Screws (large-lead threads) are the ideal solution for all applications requiring high feed rates at moderate rotational speeds. Thanks to an optimized lead-to-diameter ratio (up to 1:2), they enable shorter cycle times and higher productivity without pushing the spindle to its thermal or mechanical limits.
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Leads up to 40 mm and higher
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DN value up to 100,000
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Up to 2× higher feed rate*
What are High-Lead Ball Screws?
Unlike standard ball screws, where the lead is usually smaller than the diameter, high-lead screws feature a lead-to-nominal-diameter ratio of 1:1 or even 2:1. This means the nut travels a particularly long linear distance per spindle rotation.
Our FEEU series with the single flange nut is specifically designed for these requirements. It is ideal for single- and multi-start screw threads. Thanks to its smart design, heat generation is reduced, enabling the high dynamics that make these screws so effective.
Your benefits at a glance
Maximum feed speed
Thanks to the large lead, you achieve high linear speeds without requiring extremely high spindle rotational speeds. This reduces stress on the bearings and lowers wear.
Higher productivity
Shorter travel distances and faster positioning reduce machine cycle times, increasing overall throughput.
Reduced heat generation
Because lower rotational speeds are required than with standard ball screws, less frictional heat is generated, reducing thermal elongation and improving process stability.
Compact drive solutions
In many cases, expensive and complex gear reductions between motor and spindle can be eliminated, as the motor can directly achieve the required rapid traverse speed at moderate rotational speeds.
High efficiency
With an efficiency of over 90%, the FEEU models—like all our precision ball screws—help you reduce your machine’s energy consumption.
Typical applications
In pick-and-place machines for electronics manufacturing, grippers must pick components from reels and place them precisely on PCBs within milliseconds. The high lead of our ball screws enables these ultra-fast horizontal movements between pick and placement positions. They also ensure minimal travel times and maximum cycle rates in gantry systems for material handling and in high-speed sorting systems in the food industry.
In large-format CNC milling machines for furniture production, the machining heads must rapidly travel long distances to the next position after each operation. The FEEU models significantly reduce these rapid traverse times, increasing material throughput. They also combine high dynamics with the necessary force for heavy loads in panel sizing systems and stone saws.
In large-format FDM printers, the print head must quickly move to the new start position after each completed layer—the faster this travel motion, the shorter the overall build time. In resin- or powder-bed processes, Ball Screws ensure fast and consistent movement of the recoating units, which is critical for layer quality.
In case erectors, units move forward, pick up flat cartons, and erect them—thousands of times per shift. In horizontal form-fill-seal machines with pusher bars and in palletizing systems that stack finished packages, the rapid back-and-forth movements benefit greatly from the high lead and short cycle times.
In laboratory automation systems, pipetting units must move quickly between different test tubes and microtiter plates. The high lead enables short cycle times at high throughput rates. It is also crucial in CT and MRI patient tables, where smooth motion combined with high travel speed ensures both patient comfort and efficient examination throughput.
Technical data (FEEU series)
Size ranges
Parameter
Nominal diameter
Determines the size and load capacity
Lead
Determines the feed rate per revolution
Dynamic load rating C
Basis for service life calculation
Static load rating C₀
Maximum short-term load capacity
Accuracy class
Achievable positioning accuracy
DN value
Describes the spindle’s rotational speed capability and is the product of speed and diameter
Rigidity K
Deformation under load (important for precision)
Size ranges
Design and maintenance guidelines
Design and maintenance guidelines
Materials
Our Ball Screws are manufactured from high-quality case-hardening materials. The screw shafts are made of quenched and tempered steel (according to DIN 17006: 50CrMo4 or Cf53), while the nuts are made of bearing steel (GCr15, GCr15SiMn, or 20CrMo). A precise heat treatment process ensures a consistently high hardness of the raceways of 60 ± 2 HRC.
For special requirements, e.g. in the food or medical technology sectors, stainless steel versions are also available on request.
Installation and design guidelines
To ensure optimal performance and a long service life, please observe the following points during design and installation:
- Screw end: Design the screw end so that at least one end features a full thread. The outer diameter of this end must be at least 0.2 mm smaller than the root diameter of the thread to allow mounting of the nut.
- Alignment: The screw axis must be aligned precisely parallel to the guide rails.
- Mounting position: During assembly, the nut should be positioned as close as possible to the bearing. For long-term storage, we recommend hanging the screw vertically to prevent bending due to its own weight.
- Ambient temperature: The permissible operating range is –20 °C to +80 °C.
Lubrication
Proper lubrication is critical for the performance and service life of your Ball Screw.
- Lubricant selection: The choice between oil and grease lubrication depends on speed, ambient temperature, and load. Please ensure that different lubricant types (especially greases) are not mixed.
- Grease quantity: As a guideline, fill approximately one-third of the free internal volume of the nut with grease.
- Oil quantity (guideline values): The table below shows the recommended oil quantities depending on the screw diameter. The relubrication interval is approximately 3 minutes during operation.