Low-wear lead screw technology in CNC machines for chips and dust

If a linear traversing movement is to be achieved in CNC milling and turning machines in particular, the decision is often made to use a threaded rod in combination with a lead screw nut. As reliable as this solution may be, it still leads to a wear problem that should not be underestimated. Depending on the specific machine application and the use of the threaded rods within the system, by-products from the machining process such as metal swarf or simply dust can clog the surfaces and gaps of the thread over time. If the components are not checked and cleaned regularly, they contribute to faster wear of the thread over time, which can have a negative impact on the performance and downtime of the machine. Careful consideration of the choice of components at an early stage can bring great benefits later on.

The solution to the problem of contamination and wear can be found in a simple lead screw nut such as the dryspin® portfolio from igus®. More precisely, in a lead screw nut with a special thread start that removes all dirt that is on the thread and in the spaces between the threads. This is particularly useful when using spindles, such as those found in CNC lathes and milling machines.
In combination with an igus® bearing material for the lead screw nut, the lead screw nut is particularly robust effective and at the same time causes only minimal friction on the travel.
The shape of the cleaning lead screw nut can be either a closed ring or a partially curved piece. The sag design has the advantage that the lead screw nut can simply be slipped onto the side of the threaded rod at any height without having to remove existing spherical plain bearings.