Lead screws, or leadscrews, are threaded metal rods that convert rotary motion into controlled linear movement as matching threads in the screw and nut force one component to move axially when one is rotated and the other is constrained. Unlike ball screws, which use recirculating ball bearings along helical grooves to minimize friction, lead screws rely on simple sliding contact between the threads of a screw and nut. As a motor or hand knob turns the screw in a traveling nut arrangement, a nut with matching internal threads is attached to a guided carriage or platform that prevents the nut from rotating, causing it to travel along the rotating screw’s axis and thus axially move the attached load in a straight line with one degree of freedom.
PBC Linear lead screw assemblies combine PTFE-coated 300 Series stainless steel lead screws with self-lubricating PTFE-infused Frelon composite polymer nuts for maintenance-free linear motion in many applications. Nut options include standard and Constant Force™ Anti-Backlash designs in round, triangular, and rectangular styles, including RS and RCF round nuts, TS and TCF triangular nuts, and VS and VCF rectangular nuts. Whether used in a traveling nut, fixed nut, traveling screw, or translating screw configuration, this material pairing helps reduce friction, stop flaking, distribute thread load, and deliver smooth, reliable movement.
Lead accuracy of 0.003 in/ft, or 76 µm/300 mm, and automated straightening support precise, consistent motion. Available in 6–16 mm screw diameters and 1–25 mm screw leads, these lead screw assemblies are a cost-effective solution for moderate-speed applications where simplicity, controlled positioning, and reliable motion are more important than maximum efficiency.
Constant Force Anti-Backlash nuts apply spring pressure to maintain thread engagement, reducing backlash 2–4× for improved positioning in vibration-prone applications. This helps improve positioning repeatability in traveling nut assemblies, translating screw designs, and other systems with vibration, frequent reversing motion, or changing loads.
- PTFE-coated stainless steel screws
- self-lubricating Frelon® PTFE-based composite nuts.
- Self-lubricating design for maintenance-free operation in many applications
- Lead accuracy of 0.003 in/ft, or 76 µm/300 mm
- Automated straightening for tight tolerances and consistent motion
- Available in 6–16 mm screw diameters
- Available in 1–25 mm leads
- Dynamic load capacity up to 1.16 kN, or 260 lb, depending on screw and nut configuration
- Optional Constant Force Anti-Backlash nuts reduce backlash approximately 2–4×
- Suitable for traveling nut, fixed nut, traveling screw, and translating screw configurations
- Suitable for multi-axis automation, robotics, packaging, medical, laboratory, and light industrial motion systems.
