Fixing a Malfunctioning Ball Screw

Ball screws may show wear over time or they may begin malfunctioning. A business owner’s first thought might be to replace the screw, but repairing it makes more sense financially. In fact, a person may save up to 60 percent by choosing to repair rather than replace. People often want to know how to repair ball screw. What repair options might be offered?

Warranty Reload

When a customer chooses a warranty reload, their ball screw will be returned to factory conditions. To achieve this goal, the team cleans and evaluates the screw assembly. They visually and physically inspect the assembly to see if it can be re-loaded. If it can be repaired, the process moves forward.

The repairman will load the assembly with new balls before testing and inspecting it. It will not leave the repair shop until it has been restored to factory operating conditions. When testing the ball screw, the repairman pays close attention to how it operates. Does it move smoothly? How much backlash is there? These questions and more are answered as the testing process moves forward.

If a customer requests, additional tasks will be completed. For example, the team may repair the locknut threads or keyways. As the name suggests, this reload comes with a warranty. The warranty varies by the repair provider, so be sure to ask for this information before choosing who will handle this task.

Temporary Reload

With a temporary reload, the same steps are carried out. However, the team cannot restore the assembly to factory conditions. As a result, this work does not come with a warranty. Talk with the provider to see if other options are available.

Regrinding Rather than reloading

Brinelling, pitting, and internal or external damage may make the reloading process not feasible. In these situations, the team might recommend regrinding. This allows for refurbishment of the unit with the help of a new ball nut and regrinding of the existing screw to eliminate pitting and taper. This work comes with a warranty.

Requesting this Work

When a ball screw assembly is sent in for repair, the team evaluates it. They then share information about the condition of the ball screw and will make recommendations on how to move forward with the repair, replacement, or refurbishment of the assembly. During the evaluation, the team checks the screw for straightness and other components. They also look for torque or lead error and more.

Choose a reputable provider to handle this task. A malfunctioning ball screw leads to downtime, which no business owner wants. Acting quickly in this situation saves the business both time and money while extending the life of the assembly.

Many screws can be restored using these techniques, but only when the work is done by a reputable provider. Cutting corners in this area may lead to short-term savings, but higher costs over time. Have the work done right the first time for peace of mind when it comes to daily operations. You won’t regret it when you see how well the repaired ball screw functions.