An engineer can expect to deal with a specific range of noise in the ball screw assemblies. But the trick is understanding how much is acceptable and what to do when it breaches that range. Additional noise is cause for concern because it might mean something is wrong with the equipment, which could impact your operation.

Let’s discuss a few tips for reducing noise from ball screws and understand why this happens.

What Causes Noise in Ball Screws?

Some of the ball screw assembly noise comes from its mechanical blueprint. Generally, the noisiest assemblies are those that operate at high speeds, with high RPM and high loads. If there is an allowed level of backlash, these assemblies will also be noisier.

In general, these noises are not an issue until performance functions begin to fail, become dysfunctional, or throw an error.

When Is Excessive Noise a Problem?

When the noise pairs with performance issues, it’s time to find the root of the problem. Any noise outside of the assembly’s accepted range could be from the following causes:

• Excessive backlash
• Improper sized ball bearings
• Excessive debris in the assembly
• Unevenly distributed loads
• Damage in the screw, nut, or ball bearing

It’s important to note that excessive noise does not always signify an issue within the assembly, but additional or new performance issues may be sending warning signals. Reach out to Wedin International for professional ball screw repair services if you begin noticing performance issues and excessive noises that are not customary to your assembly.

Noise Reduction

The rotational movement around the screw is fundamentally noisy. But here are a few tips for reducing noise from ball screws you can try in the shop:

Adjust the Speed

Selecting a higher lead can reduce the rotating speeds, further decreasing the movement through the nut. This, in turn, will reduce the noise.

Lubrication

Using adequate lubrication is an essential factor in ball screw maintenance. Applying thick grease can help the ball quickly pass through the nut.

Custom Ball Nut

Adjusting the assembly to a custom ball nut can help soften the noise by alternating steel and nylon. This can also decrease the nut’s load capacity.

Nut Selection

If you select a specific high-speed nut, they use deflectors rather than return tubes. These create smoother ball paths through the nuts.

To learn more about diagnosing and reducing noise in your assembly, reach out to Wedin International today!