How precision Ball Screws make robotic motion more accurate and natural

Powerful and sensitive motion in robotics

In robotics, movements are becoming increasingly human-like, complex, and sensitive. Humanoid robots with arms, hands, and legs, as well as mobile assistive robots used in healthcare and logistics, place extremely high demands on drive technology. Every movement determines functionality, safety, and user acceptance.

Conventional solutions such as simple lead screw drives or standard ball screws quickly reach their limits in these applications - due to excessive backlash, insufficient rigidity, limited sensitivity, or restricted installation space. This is where GROB High-Precision Ball Screws come in: they combine force, sensitivity, and repeatability in a compact design, making them ideal for demanding robotic applications.

Precise joint movements in humanoid robots

Humanoid robots are expected to grasp, carry, screw, and support, while moving as naturally as possible. In many of these motion axes, high-precision ball screws perform key tasks, for example in fingers, hands, arms, or legs.

High-precision ball screws provide:

1. Sensitive motion when handling fragile components
2. Powerful linear motion for fastening or clamping operations
3. Highly repeatable positioning for repetitive tasks

Thanks to precision-ground screws, tight tolerances, and selectable preload, backlash and positioning errors can be significantly reduced. Designers can reliably meet requirements such as high stiffness, precise resolution, and compact installation space. High-Precision Ball Screws play a key role in ensuring that robotic motion sequences are not only functional, but also controlled and natural in movement.

Quiet, safe motion in assistive robots

Assistive robots are increasingly operating in direct human environments — in hospitals, nursing care, hotels, retail, and offices. In addition to technical performance, safety, smooth operation, and user acceptance are especially important. Jerky or noisy movements are quickly perceived as disruptive or uncomfortable.

High-precision ball screws enable:

1. Quiet, smooth adjustments - for example when opening compartments or covers
2. Precise linear motion for lifting, swiveling, or positioning functions
3. Reliable repeatability even during high daily cycle counts

Thanks to low friction and optimized raceway geometry, these drives provide smooth operation that is ideal for robotic systems interacting directly with people. At the same time, operators benefit from long service life and stable process performance.

Why GROB High-Precision Ball Screws are the right choice for demanding robotics projects

Robotics designers have very specific requirements for their drive technology: motion must be highly repeatable, sensitive, and free from noticeable backlash. At the same time, drives must be rigid, durable, and suitable for integration into very compact installation spaces. Ground High-Precision Ball Screws from GROB, with optimally selected lead, preloaded nuts, and tight lead tolerances, are specifically designed for these conditions. They form the basis for natural motion sequences in arms, legs, and grippers, for stable locomotion on legs or wheels, and for precise, reproducible movements in assistive and handling functions.

At the same time, robotics is not only about components, it's also about having a reliable partner behind the technology. With GROB, you benefit from documented quality through measurement reports, expert engineering support in sizing and design, and decades of experience in demanding drive technology applications. Where standard solutions are not sufficient, we work with you to develop customized variants. This ensures transparency about the solution you receive, the requirements it fulfills, and why our high-precision ball screws are the optimal fit for your robotics project, from concept to series production.