Effect of Installation Conditions on Thermal Deformation and Positioning Accuracy of a Ball Screw in Motion

Abstract

Thermal deformation is an important factor affecting the positioning accuracy of a ball screw. Existing studies focus on the influence of the temperature rise of a ball screw on thermal deformation but ignore the impact of installation mode on thermal deformation and positioning accuracy. This paper analyzes the effects of the two modes of high-precision installation: fixing both ends of the screw, and supporting one end while fixing the other. The installation mode is found to have a very strong influence on positioning accuracy. The thermal deformation of the screw with both ends fixed is affected by the temperature rise of the bearings at both ends, and the deformation amount is smaller than that with one end fixed. The screw undergoes thermal expansion on both sides when both ends are fixed, but only on one side when one end is fixed. This has a very significant effect on the precision of the screw and provides a specific basis for devising thermal compensation measures.