Some ends were turned to smooth journals, others have external threads, and a few have milled flats. The shafts are now together on the rack. Looking only at the long threaded sections, you would hardly notice how different the ends are.
This batch is being prepared for Spain. The shaft ends have been machined for different mounting arrangements, so the dimensions cannot be checked by overall length alone. Bearing seats, shoulders and the connection to the drive side all need to match the machine drawing.
A Ball Screw with the correct diameter and lead may still be unsuitable if the end machining is different. This becomes a particular problem when replacing an old screw rather than building a machine from scratch.
Spain has an established machine-tool industry, especially in the Basque Country, where metal-cutting equipment and industrial automation are important parts of local manufacturing. Many workshops also maintain machines that have been running for years. For these projects, finding a replacement component that fits the existing structure can be more useful than changing the entire transmission assembly.
We see this issue with custom Ball Screw orders. Customers may already know the screw diameter and lead, but the bearing positions and end dimensions still need to be confirmed. A drawing of the original shaft makes the job much easier.
The shafts shown here have different end profiles. Before packing, these finished surfaces need to be covered, particularly the smooth bearing sections and the smaller threads. Long shafts also need support inside the wooden cases so they do not knock against one another during sea transportation.
This order is scheduled to travel to Spain by sea.
We also accept Ball Screw orders made to customer drawings, including special lengths and end machining. For replacement projects, customers can send us the original dimensions or a sample. It is much easier to discuss a few measurements before machining than to discover a mounting problem after the parts arrive.
