Ball Screw and Linear Motor Drives Compared
The drive train is the single biggest difference between the four DLCNC drilling series. This is what changes when you move from a ball screw to a linear motor.
The drive train is the single biggest difference between the four DLCNC drilling series. This is what changes when you move from a ball screw to a linear motor.
Published 2023-09-11 by Chengdu Jindali Technology Co., Ltd
What Changes on the Machine
D1X and D2X use imported high precision ball screws and linear guides driven by an imported AC servo system. D3X and D4X replace that with linear motors running against a high precision linear scale and guide.
The ball screw driven D2X reaches 50m/min on XY and 30m/min on Z. The linear motor driven D3X and D4X reach 80m/min on XY. Linear motor drive has quicker speed and can reach up to 100m/min in the general case.
Positioning accuracy ±0.01mm and repeatability accuracy ±0.005mm are the same on both drive types. Drilling accuracy is ±1mil on D2X D3X and D4X. Drive type changes the speed at which the accuracy is delivered rather than the accuracy itself.
Linear scale gives higher precision but is sensitive to dust so contamination must be kept away from it. A shop that cannot control dust reliably may hold accuracy better with a ball screw machine. For routing machines a magnetic scale is an alternative to linear scale.
A ball screw driven table needs recalibration about every year. Linear motor drive removes that recalibration but adds the requirement to keep the scale clean which appears in the monthly guide rail maintenance step.
Start from the cycle time you need. If the ball screw machine already meets it the extra environmental discipline that a linear scale requires is not worth buying. If drilling is the constraint on the line the linear motor machines are the correct answer.
Machines Covered in This Guide
D2X PCB Drilling Machine
Independent Z axis structure on XYZ ball screw drive. The independent Z axis holds the vertical accuracy of the machine and improves th...
D3X PCB Drilling Machine
XYZ axis linear motor drive with high precision linear scale and guide. The fastest configuration in the DLCNC drilling range.
D4X PCB Drilling Machine
Linear motor drive with high precision linear scale and guide on a granite marble base frame. The D4X is the volume drilling configurat...
D1X PCB Drilling Machine
One Z axis carrying one or multiple spindles with a maximum of four spindles on XYZ ball screw drive. The entry point into the DLCNC dr...
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Questions On This Guide
Is a linear motor machine more accurate
Not in the stated accuracy figures. Positioning repeatability and drilling accuracy are the same. The linear motor machine delivers that accuracy at a higher feed rate.
How much faster is linear motor drive
On the DLCNC range 80m/min against 50m/min on the XY axes. Linear motor drive can reach up to 100m/min in general terms.
Does a ball screw wear out
It needs recalibration roughly every year. That is a scheduled task rather than a failure.
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