Swirl-ground ball screws optimize use in woodworking

Kammerer Gewindetechnik GmbH & Co. KG manufactures whirled ball screws for applications in woodworking machines. Thanks to this manufacturing process, the ball screws have neither grinding grooves in the thread root nor a rolled seam in the outer diameter, which prevents the accumulation of wood dust and facilitates the removal of contaminants. Their skived contour makes whirled ball screws the ideal choice for woodworking machines that require not only dust-repellent properties but also high speeds.

The demands on modern woodworking machines, both in industrial production and in the trade, are becoming increasingly stringent. The components used in the machines must also meet the requirements for precision and speed and withstand difficult environmental conditions such as contamination from wood chips and wood dust.

In woodworking machines and CNC machining centers, ball screws are used to move axes such as the X, Y, and Z axes of the machine. Precise and repeatable, the ball screws ensure positioning accuracy and enable precise tool guidance, which is particularly important for complex milling or drilling operations. Their high efficiency and low friction ensure fast travel movements while simultaneously consuming less energy.

Whirred versions are particularly resistant to dust and dirt: "For woodworking machines and CNC centers, dirt-repellent ball screws with effective wipers are particularly important because the environment is heavily contaminated with wood dust," says Giuseppe D'Angelo, Sales Manager at Kammerer in Hornberg in the Black Forest. "This is where our expertise in various manufacturing processes comes into play. Whirling ensures that the ball screws have a continuous profile without grinding grooves in the thread root. This reduces the possibility of wood dust and other contaminants accumulating. Unlike rolled ball screws, whirled versions do not have a roll seam in the outer diameter, which also means a smaller surface area for dust and dirt to penetrate."

The nuts of the ball screws are equipped with plastic wipers with a sealing lip. These wipers are particularly effective at removing wood dust, as the sealing lip of the molded plastic wiper wipes off dirt across the entire profile.

"For woodworking applications where cleanliness and speed are essential, we recommend our whirled ball screws," explains D'Angelo. "Depending on the requirements, however, we use all manufacturing processes in the production of our ball screws and trapezoidal screws. We whirl, roll, grind, and turn on modern machines, some of which we have developed ourselves – from individual pieces to large series."