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This section provides an overview for lead screws as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 37 lead screw manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked lead screw companies as of December, 2024: 1.Helix Linear Technologies, 2.MTI Motion, 3.PIC Design.
Table of Contents
A lead screw is a mechanical element that converts the rotational motion of a screw shaft into linear motion by means of a nut attached to the screw shaft.
Lead screws can convert the rotational motion of a rotary motor into linear motion. There are two types of lead screws: sliding screws and ball screws that use miniature balls.
Ball screws, in particular, use balls to reduce friction and create a structure that allows smooth motion. In either case, they are indispensable mechanical elements for actuators.
Lead screws are used in many manufacturing sites that require linear motion, as a wide variety of motors are manufactured and used as the typical power source for rotary motion.
In NC machine tools, they are used to move cutters and workpieces, such as the pedestal movement. Specific examples include machining centers, milling machines, grinding machines, and lathes.
In addition, lead screws are also used in industrial robots, various transport equipment, semiconductor-related equipment, injection molding machines, printing machines, color graphic printers, XY plotters, and automatic drafting machines. In automobiles, feed screws are used in mechanisms for adjusting the irradiation position of headlights.
Lead screws convert rotational motion into linear motion because of the screw pitch. The continuous spiral formation of the screw allows the internally threaded parts that mesh with the screw shaft to move continuously in the axial direction where the external thread is formed.
One rotation of the threaded shaft moves the internally threaded parts by one pitch. The direction of travel can also be changed by changing the direction of rotation.
Lead screws can be either plain screws, in which the male and female threads mesh directly, or ball screws, which use balls to reduce friction. However, the principle of converting rotational and linear motion is the same for both types.
There are two types of lead screws: sliding screws and ball screws. Sliding screws can be further classified into the following types:
The screw thread has an equilateral triangular shape. The thread shape is almost the same as that of a general fastening screw. While they can be formed by thread rolling and are easy to work with, they are not suitable for parts that transmit power.
This is a sliding screw with a trapezoidal thread profile of 29° or 30°. They are easy to process to some extent and can also be used for power transmission. The most common materials used for trapezoidal screws are carbon steel for machine structural purposes and austenitic stainless steel, which is hard and durable for general-purpose products.
The screw threads are square rectangular. Although the positioning accuracy is not high, this screw is advantageous for power transmission. These screws are mainly used in presses, jacks, and other parts that transmit large amounts of force.
Nuts used as mating parts for these Lead Screws are generally made of cast bronze or polyacetal resin (POM).
Ball screws incorporate rolling balls to reduce friction between the rotating shaft and the nut-side parts, which move linearly with the rotational motion. Multiple parts may be combined, and international and national industrial standards have been established.
There are four accuracy grades defined by ISO standards: C0, C1, C3, C5, and C7. The smaller the number, the higher the accuracy, and the larger the number, the lower the accuracy.
C0 to C5 are used for positioning ball screws, while C7, is used for transport ball screws. The main accuracy grades of ball screws are as follows:
1. Lead Accuracy
Lead accuracy can be understood as positioning accuracy; C0 to C5 are defined by linearity and directional accuracy, and C7 is defined by travel error relative to 300 mm.
2. Mounting Accuracy
Mounting accuracy of ball screws is defined by several items. For each grade, the allowable values are specified for the circumferential runout of each part of the rotating shaft and the parallelism of the nut's outer circumference with respect to the standard dimensions.
3. Pressurizing Torque
The preloaded torque is the torque required for positioning with ball screws. If the gap between the screw shaft, ball, and nut is large, accurate positioning is not possible. If the gap is small, torque is required for operation, which is defined by the standard.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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PIC Design is a manufacturer and supplier of mechanical components and precision gears, established in 1954 and headquartered in Middlebury, Connecticut. The company’s product portfolio includes washers, threaded stocks & studs, knurled thumb screws & nuts, gear assemblies/reducers, and bearing & bushings used in various applications including medical, robotics, optical systems, lab instrumentation, and industrial controls. The company has achieved various registrations and certifications including DFARS, R.E.A.C.H, RoHS, DDTC/ITAR, and ISO 9001:2015.
Nordex, Incorporated, established in 1960, and headquartered in Connecticut, USA, is a manufacturer of comprehensive turnkey solutions and machinery equipment for medical, automotive, and various industries. The company offers various products, including advanced machinery, automation systems, equipment for laboratory analysis, shafts, and various integrated technological equipment. These products enhance operational efficiency, streamline processes, and optimize resource utilization. The products find application across diverse sectors such as manufacturing, medical, automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy. Electro-mechanical technical knowledge and clean room capabilities allow it to perform manufacturing systems integration for semiconductor and analytical machinery, precision machining, gear design, and fabrication.
igus, Inc., established in 1964 and headquartered in Cologne, Germany, is a manufacturer and distributor of complex technical polymer components. The company offers a range of products including plastic plain bearings, flexible cables, and energy chains. Additionally, it also provides connectors, robotic components, and 3D-printed products. These products find applications in various areas such as automation and robotics, automotive, and gaming. It is ISO 9001:2015 certified and has been awarded with the “NRW - Economy in Transition” competition award and the Rhineland Business Prize in the “Sustainability” category.
Helix Linear Technologies, headquartered in Beachwood, Ohio, and founded in 1969, is a manufacturer specializing in screws and linear motion products. The company engineers precision linear motion and power transmission systems, specializing in lead screws and linear actuators. Whether the application requires an off-the-shelf linear motion component or a customized solution tailored to specific needs, the company offers complete engineering, design, analysis, and manufacturing capabilities. Over time, the company has expanded its product lines to include a diverse range of over 10,000 configurable products, including ball screw assemblies, acme screw assemblies, and more.
Barnes Industries, Inc., incorporated in 1969 and headquartered in Michigan, United States, is a manufacturer of ball screws and the like and a supplier of pertinent services. The company produces ball screws, lead screws, and buttress thread screws. It also offers manufacturing, reconditioning, and repair services for ball screws. It can make 6” diameter x 40-foot long ball screw assemblies in only 6 weeks. Its ball screw manufacturing services meet or exceed all industry standards including ANSI, ISO, DIN, and JAS.
DAI-ICHI Sokuhan Works Co, founded in 1944 is based in Ojiya, Japan, and is a manufacturer and supplier of machinery tool accessories. Their product portfolio includes measuring instruments, air micrometers, electronic micrometers, gauges, precision machine parts, spindle units, and kneading dispersibility measurement. The products are manufactured under superior technology and precision with quality control. The products are used in multiple industries which include aircraft, trains, automobiles, and other modes of transportation.
FAULHABER, a manufacturer of high-precision miniature and micro drive systems, was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Schönaich, in the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. Its main activity is the design, development, and manufacturing of precision miniature and micro-drive systems. The company offers a wide range of products, including DC motors, stepper motors, linear motors, and gearheads. FAULHABER's products are used by a wide range of customers, including medical device manufacturers, robotics companies, and automation systems integrators.
Star Engineering Works, established in 2005 and headquartered in Palghar, Thane, Maharashtra, is a manufacturer of precision-engineered components and parts. The company's product and equipment range includes ball screws, precision-rolled ball screws, and precision-rolled double-nut ball screws. It also produces linear shafts for the construction industry, linear guide bushes, and flexible shaft couplings. These products are used in various manufacturing factories and warehouse centers. The company's services include the supply of spare parts and provide linear motion guide repair services.
Lishui Yongrun Precision Machinery Co Ltd, established in 2002, is a manufacturer of mechanical products based in Zhejiang, China. The company manufactures products such as linear sliders, motor brackets, linear shafts, ball screws, and shaft supports which are produced through research and development. These products are applied in agriculture, industrial motors, automotive, food processing, and railway industries. All the products have national patents and international certification standards. Additionally, the company has commercial operations across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.
ALM Intelligent Technology Co. Limited, founded in 2005 and headquartered in Wuzhong District, Suzhou China, is a manufacturer and exporter of linear motion systems and components. The company’s product portfolio is categorized into ball & lead screws, linear motors, linear modules, linear guideways, and ball splines. The company manufactures and supplies quality linear motion components for customers in the fields of instrumentation, robotics, automobiles, electrical & electronics, and food & beverages. The company has obtained the ISO 9001:2008 and IATF16949 certification and its R&D department has obtained 26 national patents to date.
Power Jacks Limited founded in Westhill, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK, in 1987, is a manufacturer of electro-mechanical actuation, lifting, and positioning equipment. Products offered by the company are screw jacks, electric linear actuators, bevel gearboxes, lead screws, and jacking systems. The company also provides customized products. Its planetary roller screws convert rotary motion to linear motion using threaded spindles that provide huge load capacity and precise positioning. The company’s products are used in industrial automation, defense, energy, transport, and civil engineering industry sectors.
Takeuchi Precision Works Co., Ltd, established in 1964, is a manufacturer of machine element components, including ball bushings, feed screws, linear guides, ball screws, and linear shafts, headquartered in Fukushima, Japan. The company offers standard, round, and square-shaped ball splines in long, flange, flange double, standard double, and flange long types. Its ball bushings are available in housing, self-aligning flange, flange, and straight shape standard types with a single-length bearing or high-load capacity double-length bearing. TSK has achieved ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 certifications allowing its products to be used in control equipment, including CNC machine tools, medical equipment, and industrial robots.
NSK Ltd., based in Japan, is a manufacturer of precision bearings and motion control solutions which started its journey in 1916. The company has established itself as a major supplier for multiple industries, including automotive, industrial machinery, and aerospace. Their extensive product portfolio encompasses ball bearings, roller bearings, and linear motion components. Their Motion & Control products and technologies support the motion that brings comfort and convenience in cars, planes, wind turbines, satellites, and almost anything with moving parts.
Dr. TRETTER was started in 1970 by Dr. Tretter in Rechberghausen, Germany as a manufacturer and supplier of linear technology products using materials such as stainless steel and Hastelloy. These products include tolerance sleeves, ball casters, and linear guides including wave guides, ball bushings, lead screws, and rail guides used in pumps, electric motors, and as construction elements for conveyor systems, feeds, presses or assembly stations. The company also has a facility in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
Nanotec Electronic GmbH & Co. KG, headquartered in Feldkirchen, Munich, Germany, is a manufacturer of motors and controllers for performance drive solutions since 1991. The products include motors, gearboxes, brakes, encoders, and actuators. Accessories include lubricants, capacitors, spacer sleeves, brake choppers, and connection cables used in semiconductor production, medical engineering, automation systems, the packaging sector, and laboratory automation. The company received the Top 100 award in 2022 for the second time in a row.
THK Co., Ltd. was incorporated in 1946 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. THK is a manufacturer and supplier of machine components such as linear motion components for customers globally. THK’s products are used in many industries including electronics, aerospace, industrial robots, and precision instruments. THK’s primary product categories are Linear Motion, Feed Screw, Rotation, Custom Assemblies, and Seismic Isolation. Linear Motion products assist in linear motion and transportation. They include linear motion actuators, guides, and rollers. Feed screws include ball screws, screw nuts, and change nuts. Seismic Isolation includes both large systems and small guides.
goBILDA is a manufacturer and supplier based in Winfield, Kansas, United States, specializing in robot building systems and components. The company develops a grid-based building system for engineers, artists, and students. It also operates an online store offering products to participate in FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), a robotics competition for students from grades 7 to 12. These offerings are categorized into structural elements for foundational frameworks, motion elements such as motors and wheels, as well as electronic elements. Other product categories are hardware elements such as screws and springs, various kits like FTC and linear motion kits, as well as merchandise.
Thomson Industries, headquartered in the United States, is a global manufacturer of motion control solutions since 1936. They have been one of the forerunners in the motion technology industry with products supplying optimized motion solutions to a broad range of industries and application areas including factory automation, medical, aerospace and defense, and more. The company merged with Regal Rexnord in 2023 as a key business in the automation and specialty platform. As part of Regal Rexnord, they are even more equipped to provide complete system solutions through their control, drive, power transmission and precision linear motion technologies.
ServoCity, established in 1994, is a Kansas-based manufacturer and supplier specializing in mechanical components such as robotic gearboxes. The company offers a diverse range of products including grid plates, servo gearboxes, motor controllers, surgical tubing, and more. The company’s range of electronic and mechanical components cater to diverse sectors including robotics, education, videography, and more. ServoCity partners with distributors across the globe to serve clients internationally including Europe, Canada, Asia and other markets.
ABSSAC Ltd, launched in 1982 and headquartered in Evesham, United Kingdom, is a supplier of various types of rotary and linear power transmission equipment. The company provides lead screws, ball screws, satellite roller screws, and hydraulic bushes. It also offers shaft couplings, clutches and brakes, springs, edge-welded bellows, and offset couplings. The variant of its lead screws, precision lead screws, are available from 1mm to 25mm in diameter and can be combined with a diverse amount of nut options.
Reliance Precision Limited, incorporated in 1920 and located in Huddersfield, United Kingdom, is a supplier of engineering solutions and services. The company provides fine-pitch gears, flexible shaft couplings, lead screws and nuts, linear actuators, and gearboxes. It also offers design, manufacturing, assembly, and repair services to its customers. Its fine-pitch gears are intended for applications where there is a need to balance accuracy and load capacity against cost and their typical diameters range from 5 mm to 100 mm.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helix Linear Technologies |
9.8%
|
| 2 | MTI Motion |
8.6%
|
| 3 | PIC Design |
8.0%
|
| 4 | Nordex, Incorporated |
6.9%
|
| 5 | DAI-ICHI SOKUHAN WORKS CO. |
5.7%
|
| 6 | Barnes Industries, Inc. |
5.2%
|
| 7 | igus, inc. |
5.2%
|
| 8 | IMC Intertech, LLC |
4.0%
|
| 9 | Nanotec Electronic GmbH & Co. KG |
4.0%
|
| 10 | Dr. Fritz Faulhaber GmbH & Co. KG |
4.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the lead screw page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
8 | 25.0% |
|
India
|
8 | 25.0% |
|
Japan
|
6 | 18.8% |
|
China
|
4 | 12.5% |
|
Germany
|
3 | 9.4% |
|
United Kingdom
|
3 | 9.4% |
124 products are listed.
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