The Impact of Different Manufacturing Technologies and Thermal Processing of Groove Profiles on the Service Life of Ball Screws

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is ball screw service life measurement. Text is divided on two major parts, theoretical one and practical one. Theoretical part describes three basic methods of ball screws manufacturing – rolling, whirling and grinding. Subsequently, methods of heat treatment (inductive and laser hardening) are mentioned. Practical part is devoted to ball screw service life testing and evaluation of results. Tests were carried out on two sets of two ball screws. First set was manufactured by whirling and grinding followed by inductive hardening. Second set was manufactured by grinding followed by inductive hardening in one case and laser hardening in the second one. Test results were evaluated according to international standards