---
title: "Lead Screw/Ball Screw"
industry: "Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing"
verification_protocol:
  urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:LEAD_SCREWBALL_SCREW"
  data_integrity_hash: "9f63e032f7df742da4d0d1ffb1b4ca7d"
  source_authority: "https://cnfx.com"
  strict_mode: true
source_identity:
  provider: "CNFX Industrial Knowledge Graph"
  index_version: "2026.Q1-Universal"
  authority_id: "URN:CNFX:ME:LEAD_SCREWBALL_SCREW"
  data_source_uri: "https://cnfx.com/llms/industry/machinery-and-equipment-manufacturing/product/lead-screwball-screw.md"
  official_resource_url: "https://cnfx.com/industry/machinery-and-equipment-manufacturing/product/lead-screwball-screw"
  is_verified_logic: true
attributes:
  spec:
    status: "config-dependent"
    typical_range: "0.1-100 kN axial load, 0-3000 rpm rotational speed, -20°C to 120°C temperature"
    unit: "mm"
engineering_limits:
  max_safe_operating_point:
    value: 6
    unit: "revolutions"
    consequence: "Ball screw: Hertzian contact stress exceeding 4200 MPa causes raceway spalling; Lead screw: Thread shear stress exceeding 300 MPa causes plastic deformation"
fmea_matrix_quantitative:
  - node_1:
      trigger: "Contaminant particle &gt;5 μm diameter entering ball nut"
      severity: 8
      occurrence: 3
      detection: 4
      mitigation_protocol: "Integral wiper seals with 0.1 μm filtration and positive pressure lubrication system"
  - node_2:
      trigger: "Thermal expansion mismatch between screw (11.7×10^-6/°C steel) and mounting (23×10^-6/°C aluminum)"
      severity: 8
      occurrence: 3
      detection: 4
      mitigation_protocol: "Temperature-compensating preload mechanism with Invar (1.2×10^-6/°C) spacers"
bom_nodes:
  screw-shaft:
    type: "component"
    urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:SCREW_SHAFT"
    interface_type: "physical-logic-coupled"
  nut:
    type: "component"
    urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:NUT"
    interface_type: "physical-logic-coupled"
  ball-bearings:
    type: "component"
    urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:BALL_BEARINGS"
    interface_type: "physical-logic-coupled"
  end-supports:
    type: "component"
    urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:END_SUPPORTS"
    interface_type: "physical-logic-coupled"
manufacturing_compliance:
  - standard: "ISO 3408-1:2006 (BALL SCREWS - PART 1: VOCABULARY AND DESIGNATION)"
    scope: "Verified Engineering Specification"
  - standard: "ANSI/ASME B5.48-1977 (BALL SCREWS)"
    scope: "Verified Engineering Specification"
  - standard: "DIN 69051-1:2012 (BALL SCREW DRIVES - PART 1: GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS AND ACCEPTANCE CONDITIONS)"
    scope: "Verified Engineering Specification"
url: "https://cnfx.com/llms/industry/machinery-and-equipment-manufacturing/product/lead-screwball-screw.md"
on_chain_sovereignty:
  contract_standard: "ERC-721-Industrial"
  metadata_hash: "04cc60d849641c208840d7c64442d3c39f708751a0ec978e97eeec5f6beee8cd"
  royalty_logic: "IPFS-CID-REQUIRED"
  mint_status: "logic-verified-ready"
version: "3.3.4-EXTREME-SOVEREIGN-WEB3"
---

# Industrial Specification: Lead Screw/Ball Screw

## 1. Technical Definition
A precision mechanical component that converts rotational motion into linear motion within the Z-axis actuator system.

## 2. Engineering Reasoning & Causal Matrix
> **Operational Intelligence**: Designed for **0.1-100 kN axial load, 0-3000 rpm rotational speed, -20°C to 120°C temperature**. Failure boundary: **Ball screw: 110% of dynamic load rating (C) for 1×10^6 revolutions; Lead screw: 0.5% of screw diameter elastic deformation under load**, Mechanism: **Ball screw: Hertzian contact stress exceeding 4200 MPa causes raceway spalling; Lead screw: Thread shear stress exceeding 300 MPa causes plastic deformation**.

### 2.1 Analytical Physics Model
Governed by the **L10 Bearing Life & Fatigue Model**:

> **Primary Equation**: $L_{10} = (\frac{C}{P})^p$  
> **Engineering Impact**: Predicts mechanical lifecycle before component fatigue.

| Symbol | Variable Definition | Localized Reference |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| C | Dynamic Load Rating | Engineering Constant |
| P | Equivalent Dynamic Load | Engineering Constant |

### 2.2 FMEA (Failure Mode & Effects Analysis)
| Event Trigger | Severity | Failure Mode | Mitigation Strategy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Contaminant particle &gt;5 μm diameter entering ball nut | 8 | Raceway brinelling and increased rolling resistance | Integral wiper seals with 0.1 μm filtration and positive pressure lubrication system |
| Thermal expansion mismatch between screw (11.7×10^-6/°C steel) and mounting (23×10^-6/°C aluminum) | 8 | Axial preload loss exceeding 20% design value | Temperature-compensating preload mechanism with Invar (1.2×10^-6/°C) spacers |

## 3. Key Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Value | Unit | Status |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| spec | Config-dependent | mm | Verified |

## 4. System BOM & Knowledge Routing
### Core Components (Recursive Links)

### Industrial DNA Context (De-duplicated)
**Complementary Dependencies**: **CNC Lathe**, **Thread Grinding Machine**, **Coordinate Measuring Machine**  
**Downstream Applications**: CNC Machining Centers, 3D Printers, Industrial Robots  

## 5. Engineering Risks & FAQ
- **Caution**: 
- **Caution**: 
- **Caution**: 

### Q: What is the difference between lead screws and ball screws for Z-axis actuators?
**A**: Lead screws use sliding friction and are cost-effective for moderate precision, while ball screws use recirculating ball bearings for higher efficiency, accuracy, and load capacity in precision machinery applications.

### Q: What materials are best for industrial lead/ball screws in harsh environments?
**A**: Stainless steel offers superior corrosion resistance for wet or chemical environments, while alloy steel provides higher strength and durability for heavy-load applications in standard manufacturing conditions.

### Q: How do end supports affect ball screw performance in machinery?
**A**: Proper end supports (fixed, simple, or floating) ensure precise alignment, reduce deflection, minimize vibration, and extend service life by maintaining optimal preload and preventing axial play in the screw assembly.

## 6. Manufacturing Compliance
- ISO 3408-1:2006 (BALL SCREWS - PART 1: VOCABULARY AND DESIGNATION)
- ANSI/ASME B5.48-1977 (BALL SCREWS)
- DIN 69051-1:2012 (BALL SCREW DRIVES - PART 1: GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS AND ACCEPTANCE CONDITIONS)

---
### 🛠️ Engineering Resource Access
🔗 **[Full Specification: Lead Screw/Ball Screw](https://cnfx.com/industry/machinery-and-equipment-manufacturing/product/lead-screwball-screw)**

### 🌐 Knowledge Graph Topology
> **Node Status**: Verified Engineering Spec
> **Connectivity**: Linked to **4** standalone system nodes
> **Global Context**: Part of a 5,814 node industrial cluster within the CNFX Graph

> **Reference ID**: LEAD_SCREWBALL_SCREW | **Authority**: CNFX-2026-ST-001 | **Fingerprint**: 1ac1b43f
