CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en-US"> <head > <meta charset="UTF-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /> <meta name='robots' content='index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1' /> <style>img:is([sizes="auto" i], [sizes^="auto," i]) { contain-intrinsic-size: 3000px 1500px }</style> <style type="text/css"> .slide-excerpt { width: 100%; } .slide-excerpt { Top: 0; } .slide-excerpt { Left: 0; } .flexslider { max-width: 737px; max-height: 400px; } .slide-image { max-height: 400px; } </style> <style type="text/css"> @media only screen and (min-device-width : 320px) and (max-device-width : 480px) { .slide-excerpt { display: none !important; } } </style>  <title>How to avoid ball screw buckling</title> <meta name="description" content="Determining the buckling load is an important step in ball screw sizing and is based on the screw’s root diameter, unsupported length, and end bearings." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/" /> <meta property="og:locale" content="en_US" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:title" content="How to avoid ball screw buckling" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Determining the buckling load is an important step in ball screw sizing and is based on the screw’s root diameter, unsupported length, and end bearings." /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Linear Motion Tips" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2015-05-21T19:00:20+00:00" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2019-12-13T17:05:26+00:00" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Bekaa-Valley-14-Baalbek-Great-Court-Roman-Columns.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:width" content="320" /> <meta property="og:image:height" content="221" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" /> <meta name="author" content="Danielle Collins" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@Linear_Motion" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@Linear_Motion" /> <meta name="twitter:label1" content="Written by" /> <meta name="twitter:data1" content="Danielle Collins" /> <meta name="twitter:label2" content="Est. reading time" /> <meta name="twitter:data2" content="3 minutes" /> <script type="application/ld+json" class="yoast-schema-graph">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/"},"author":{"name":"Danielle Collins","@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/#/schema/person/9e0150874ca390c9f82df2e74d8cf4a4"},"headline":"How to avoid ball screw buckling","datePublished":"2015-05-21T19:00:20+00:00","dateModified":"2019-12-13T17:05:26+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/"},"wordCount":577,"commentCount":6,"publisher":{"@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Bekaa-Valley-14-Baalbek-Great-Court-Roman-Columns.jpg","keywords":["Ball Screw","buckling","sizing"],"articleSection":["Applications","Ball + lead + roller screws","Ball + leadscrew driven","Linear actuators (all)","Linear drives (all)"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/","url":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/","name":"How to avoid ball screw buckling","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Bekaa-Valley-14-Baalbek-Great-Court-Roman-Columns.jpg","datePublished":"2015-05-21T19:00:20+00:00","dateModified":"2019-12-13T17:05:26+00:00","description":"Determining the buckling load is an important step in ball screw sizing and is based on the screw’s root diameter, unsupported length, and end bearings.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/#primaryimage","url":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Bekaa-Valley-14-Baalbek-Great-Court-Roman-Columns.jpg","contentUrl":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Bekaa-Valley-14-Baalbek-Great-Court-Roman-Columns.jpg","width":320,"height":221},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to avoid ball screw buckling"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/#website","url":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/","name":"Linear Motion Tips","description":"Covering Linear Motion Systems, Components and Linear Motion Resources","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/#organization","name":"Linear Motion Tips","url":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/#/schema/logo/image/","url":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/wtwh_png.png","contentUrl":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/wtwh_png.png","width":250,"height":88,"caption":"Linear Motion Tips"},"image":{"@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/#/schema/logo/image/"},"sameAs":["https://x.com/Linear_Motion"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/#/schema/person/9e0150874ca390c9f82df2e74d8cf4a4","name":"Danielle Collins","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/#/schema/person/image/","url":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/45b0695799579afc0342bf07ef69b7aa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/45b0695799579afc0342bf07ef69b7aa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Danielle Collins"},"url":"https://www.linearmotiontips.com/author/dcollins2/"}]}</script>  <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//static.addtoany.com' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//kit.fontawesome.com' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//fonts.googleapis.com' /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Linear Motion Tips » Feed" href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Linear Motion Tips » Comments Feed" href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/comments/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Linear Motion Tips » How to avoid ball screw buckling Comments Feed" href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/feed/" /> <script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ window._wpemojiSettings = {"baseUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/15.0.3\/72x72\/","ext":".png","svgUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/15.0.3\/svg\/","svgExt":".svg","source":{"concatemoji":"https:\/\/www.linearmotiontips.com\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=6.7.1"}}; /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(i,n){var o,s,e;function c(e){try{var t={supportTests:e,timestamp:(new Date).valueOf()};sessionStorage.setItem(o,JSON.stringify(t))}catch(e){}}function p(e,t,n){e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(t,0,0);var t=new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data),r=(e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(n,0,0),new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data));return t.every(function(e,t){return e===r[t]})}function u(e,t,n){switch(t){case"flag":return n(e,"\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f","\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200b\u26a7\ufe0f")?!1:!n(e,"\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf3","\ud83c\uddfa\u200b\ud83c\uddf3")&&!n(e,"\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f","\ud83c\udff4\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc62\u200b\udb40\udc65\u200b\udb40\udc6e\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc7f");case"emoji":return!n(e,"\ud83d\udc26\u200d\u2b1b","\ud83d\udc26\u200b\u2b1b")}return!1}function f(e,t,n){var r="undefined"!=typeof WorkerGlobalScope&&self instanceof WorkerGlobalScope?new OffscreenCanvas(300,150):i.createElement("canvas"),a=r.getContext("2d",{willReadFrequently:!0}),o=(a.textBaseline="top",a.font="600 32px Arial",{});return e.forEach(function(e){o[e]=t(a,e,n)}),o}function t(e){var t=i.createElement("script");t.src=e,t.defer=!0,i.head.appendChild(t)}"undefined"!=typeof Promise&&(o="wpEmojiSettingsSupports",s=["flag","emoji"],n.supports={everything:!0,everythingExceptFlag:!0},e=new Promise(function(e){i.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",e,{once:!0})}),new Promise(function(t){var n=function(){try{var e=JSON.parse(sessionStorage.getItem(o));if("object"==typeof e&&"number"==typeof e.timestamp&&(new Date).valueOf()<e.timestamp+604800&&"object"==typeof e.supportTests)return e.supportTests}catch(e){}return null}();if(!n){if("undefined"!=typeof Worker&&"undefined"!=typeof OffscreenCanvas&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&URL.createObjectURL&&"undefined"!=typeof Blob)try{var e="postMessage("+f.toString()+"("+[JSON.stringify(s),u.toString(),p.toString()].join(",")+"));",r=new Blob([e],{type:"text/javascript"}),a=new Worker(URL.createObjectURL(r),{name:"wpTestEmojiSupports"});return void(a.onmessage=function(e){c(n=e.data),a.terminate(),t(n)})}catch(e){}c(n=f(s,u,p))}t(n)}).then(function(e){for(var t in e)n.supports[t]=e[t],n.supports.everything=n.supports.everything&&n.supports[t],"flag"!==t&&(n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&n.supports[t]);n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&!n.supports.flag,n.DOMReady=!1,n.readyCallback=function(){n.DOMReady=!0}}).then(function(){return e}).then(function(){var e;n.supports.everything||(n.readyCallback(),(e=n.source||{}).concatemoji?t(e.concatemoji):e.wpemoji&&e.twemoji&&(t(e.twemoji),t(e.wpemoji)))}))}((window,document),window._wpemojiSettings); /* ]]> */ </script> <link rel='stylesheet' id='news-pro-css' href='https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/themes/news-pro/style.css?ver=3.2.3' type='text/css' media='all' /> <style id='wp-emoji-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> img.wp-smiley, img.emoji { display: inline !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; height: 1em !important; width: 1em !important; margin: 0 0.07em !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; background: none !important; padding: 0 !important; } </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-library-css' href='https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-includes/css/dist/block-library/style.min.css?ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> /*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} </style> <style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> :root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square: 1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3: 4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4: 3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2: 3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3: 2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9: 16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16: 9/16;--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;} :where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;} :where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;} :root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='bcct_style-css' href='https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/plugins/better-click-to-tweet/assets/css/styles.css?ver=3.0' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wtwh_prestitial_main_style-css' href='https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/plugins/prestitial/assets/css/main.css?ver=1.1.0' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wtwh_prestitial_style-css' href='https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/plugins/prestitial/assets/css/prestitial.css?ver=1.1.0' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='widgetopts-styles-css' href='https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/plugins/widget-options/assets/css/widget-options.css?ver=4.0.8' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='dashicons-css' href='https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-includes/css/dashicons.min.css?ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='google-fonts-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway%3A400%2C700&ver=3.2.3' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-pagenavi-css' href='https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-pagenavi/pagenavi-css.css?ver=2.70' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='addtoany-css' href='https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/plugins/add-to-any/addtoany.min.css?ver=1.16' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='slider_styles-css' href='https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/plugins/genesis-responsive-slider/assets/style.css?ver=1.0.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <script type="text/javascript" id="addtoany-core-js-before"> /* <![CDATA[ */ window.a2a_config=window.a2a_config||{};a2a_config.callbacks=[];a2a_config.overlays=[];a2a_config.templates={}; a2a_config.track_links = 'bitly'; a2a_config.track_links_key = 'addtoany|R_cc6a4017b0274d1d86f2397771b70136'; // username|API key delimited by | a2a_config.templates = { twitter: "${title} ${link} @Linear_Motion" }; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" defer src="https://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" id="addtoany-core-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.min.js?ver=3.7.1" id="jquery-core-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery-migrate.min.js?ver=3.4.1" id="jquery-migrate-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" defer src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/plugins/add-to-any/addtoany.min.js?ver=1.1" id="addtoany-jquery-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://kit.fontawesome.com/0db18eb627.js?ver=6.7.1" id="wtwh_prestitial_fontAwesome_js-js"></script> <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" title="JSON" type="application/json" href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/4403" /><link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/xmlrpc.php?rsd" /> <link rel='shortlink' href='https://www.linearmotiontips.com/?p=4403' /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (JSON)" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linearmotiontips.com%2Fhow-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling%2F" /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (XML)" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linearmotiontips.com%2Fhow-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling%2F&format=xml" />  <script> var contentHash = 'ceb353df9019214af7119e30004edb74'; var cat_target='ceb353df9019214af7119e30004edb74, application-spotlight, ball-lead-roller-screw, ball-and-lead-screw-driven, linear-actuators, linear-drives, ros'; </script> <link rel="pingback" href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/xmlrpc.php" />  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-MMC9PJ9');</script>   <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-WF3KXSP');</script>  <script async src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js"></script> <script> window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { var pathParts = window.location.pathname.substr(1).split('/'); var mapHeader = googletag.sizeMapping() .addSize([768, 200], [728, 90]) .addSize([0, 0], [300, 250]) .build(); var mapLargeHeader = googletag.sizeMapping() .addSize([1024, 200], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]) .addSize([0, 0], [300, 250]) .build(); var mapWallpaper = googletag.sizeMapping() .addSize([1024, 500], [[1, 1]]) .addSize([0, 0], [[1, 1]]) .build(); var gptSlots = []; gptSlots[0] = googletag.defineSlot('/5272491/dw_network/lmt_header', [[300, 250], [728, 90]], 'div-gpt-lmt-header') .defineSizeMapping(mapHeader) .addService(googletag.pubads()); gptSlots[1] = googletag.defineSlot('/5272491/dw_network/lmt_largeleader', [[970, 90], [970, 250]], 'div-gpt-lmt_largeleader') .defineSizeMapping(mapLargeHeader) .addService(googletag.pubads()); gptSlots[2] = googletag.defineSlot('/5272491/dw_network/lmt_wallpaper', [[1, 1]], 'div-gpt-lmt_wallpaper') .defineSizeMapping(mapWallpaper) .addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.defineSlot('/5272491/dw_network/lmt_allstreamflex', [[1, 1]], 'div-gpt-lmt_allstreamflex').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.defineSlot('/5272491/dw_network/lmt_allstreamprelude', [[1, 1]], 'div-gpt-lmt_allstreamprelude').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.defineSlot('/5272491/dw_network/lmt_sidebar1', [[300, 250], [300, 600]], 'div-gpt-lmt_sidebar1').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.defineSlot('/5272491/dw_network/lmt_sidebarbottom', [[300, 250], [300, 600]], 'div-gpt-lmt_sidebarbottom').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.pubads().setTargeting('articletitle', pathParts[0] ? pathParts[0]: 'home-page').setTargeting('cat_target', [cat_target]); googletag.enableServices(); }); </script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://sorgalla.com/jcarousel/dist/jquery.jcarousel.min.js'></script> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="SN5mNtrS0Li2psFntWltF70s6IsfY_YbULqFcZzW1UY" /> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="KudeoCUs9vk36waprOXSE3Tzjr_iA5Oye7osRiGkW5Y" /> <script type='text/javascript'> jQuery(function() { jQuery('.jcarousel') .jcarousel({ // Core configuration goes here wrap: 'both' }) jQuery('.jcarousel-prev').jcarouselControl({ target: '-=1' }); jQuery('.jcarousel-next').jcarouselControl({ target: '+=1' }); }); </script> <style type="text/css"> /* This is the visible area of you carousel. Set a width here to define how much items are visible. The width can be either fixed in px or flexible in %. Position must be relative! */ .jcarouselcontainer { margin: 20px 28px; padding: 0 30px; position: relative; } .jcarousel { position: relative; overflow: hidden; width: 100%; } /* This is the container of the carousel items. You must ensure that the position is relative or absolute and that the width is big enough to contain all items. */ .jcarousel ul { width: 20000em; position: relative; /* Optional, required in this case since it's a <ul> element */ list-style: none; margin: 0; padding: 0; } /* These are the item elements. jCarousel works best, if the items have a fixed width and height (but it's not required). */ .jcarousel li { /* Required only for block elements like <li>'s */ float: left; width: 200px; margin: 0 30px 0 0 !important; border-bottom: none !important; } /* removes ">" before list item */ .jcarousel li::before { content: none !important; } /* Author name */ .jcarousel li a.authorname { color: #000000; font-weight: bold; } /* Author post title */ .jcarousel li a.authorpost { font-size: 13px; } /* JCarousel Arrows */ .jcarousel-prev { color: #000 !important; display: block; font-size: 30px; font-weight: bold; left: 0; position: absolute; top: 40px; } .jcarousel-next{ color: #000 !important; display: block; font-size: 30px; font-weight: bold; right: 0; position: absolute; top: 40px; } /* THREE FOOTERS */ .footer-widgets-1, .footer-widgets-2, .footer-widgets-3 { width: 330px; } </style><style type="text/css">.site-title a { background: url(https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/linear-motion-control.png) no-repeat !important; }</style> <link rel="icon" href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/cropped-lmtfavicon-32x32.gif" sizes="32x32" /> <link rel="icon" href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/cropped-lmtfavicon-192x192.gif" sizes="192x192" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/cropped-lmtfavicon-180x180.gif" /> <meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/cropped-lmtfavicon-270x270.gif" /> <style type="text/css" id="wp-custom-css"> /*** MOBILE SLIDER TITLE ***/ @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { .slide-excerpt { display: block !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { h2 { font-size: 18px; } } /*Design Guide Drop Down Menu*/ .dropbtn { background-color: #04AA6D; color: white; padding: 16px; font-size: 16px; border: none; } .dropdown { display: inline-block; } .dropdown-content { display: none; position: absolute; background-color: #f1f1f1; min-width: 160px; box-shadow: 0px 8px 16px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.2); z-index: 1; } .dropdown-content a { color: black; padding: 12px 16px; text-decoration: none; display: block; } .dropdown-content a:hover {background-color: #ddd;} .dropdown:hover .dropdown-content {display: block;} .dropdown:hover .dropbtn {background-color: #3e8e41;} .motion-design-guides { font-size: 14px; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; width: 270px; height: 50px; text-align: center; text-align-last: center; -moz-text-align-last: center; border-radius: 0px; background-color: white; color: #000; border-top: 3px solid #000; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #e3e3e3; text-transform: uppercase; white-space: wrap; } .motion-design-guide-option { text-align: center; text-align-last: center; -moz-text-align-last: center; text-transform: uppercase; width: 270px; white-space: wrap; } .motion-design-guides:after { content: ""; border: solid #000; border-width: 0 1px 1px 0; margin-left: 10px; display: inline-block; padding: 4px; transform: rotate(45deg); -webkit-transform: rotate(45deg); } .dropdown-content { max-height: 400px; overflow-y: scroll; } /* Search Page */ body.search .site-inner { padding-left: unset; padding-right: unset; } </style> </head> <body class="post-template-default single single-post postid-4403 single-format-standard custom-header header-image content-sidebar genesis-breadcrumbs-hidden genesis-footer-widgets-visible news-pro-blue">  <div id="prestitial" style="opacity: 0;"> <div id="prestitial-overlay"></div> <div id="prestitial-grid"> <div class="prestitial-logo"> <div class="title-area"> <h1 class="site-title"> <a href="#"><img src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/cropped-lmtlogo001-235x160.png"></a></h1> </div> </div> <div class="close-cta"> Continue to Site <i class="fa fa-arrow-right"></i> </div> <div id="prestitial-banner"></div> </div> </div>  <div id="body-wrapper" style="opacity: 0;"> <div class="site-container"><ul class="genesis-skip-link"><li><a href="#genesis-nav-primary" class="screen-reader-shortcut"> Skip to primary navigation</a></li><li><a href="#genesis-content" class="screen-reader-shortcut"> Skip to main content</a></li><li><a href="#genesis-sidebar-primary" class="screen-reader-shortcut"> Skip to primary sidebar</a></li><li><a href="#genesis-footer-widgets" class="screen-reader-shortcut"> Skip to footer</a></li></ul><div class="site-container-wrap"><header class="site-header"><div class="wrap"><div class="title-area"><p class="site-title"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/">Linear Motion Tips</a></p><p class="site-description">Covering Linear Motion Systems, Components and Linear Motion Resources</p></div><div class="widget-area header-widget-area"><section id="custom_html-4" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="widget_text widget-wrap"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><div id='div-gpt-lmt-header'> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-lmt-header'); }); </script> </div> </div></div></section> </div></div></header><nav class="nav-primary" aria-label="Main" id="genesis-nav-primary"><div class="wrap"><ul id="menu-new-2017-menu" class="menu genesis-nav-menu menu-primary js-superfish"><li id="menu-item-6251" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-has-children menu-item-6251"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/featured/"><span >News</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-6252" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6252"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/featured/linear-motion-blog/"><span >Editor’s blog</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6253" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6253"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/featured/industry-news/"><span >Industry news</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6254" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6254"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/featured/motion-casebook/"><span >Motion Casebook</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-6248" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category current-post-ancestor current-menu-parent current-post-parent menu-item-6248"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/application-spotlight/"><span >Applications</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6268" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-has-children menu-item-6268"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-guides-slides/"><span >Slides + guides</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-6269" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6269"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-guides-slides/ball-and-roller-guides/"><span >Ball + roller guides</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6270" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6270"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-guides-slides/track-roller-cam-and-wheel-guides/"><span >Track roller (cam + wheel) guides</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6271" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6271"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-guides-slides/crossed-roller-slides/"><span >Crossed-roller slides</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6272" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6272"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-guides-slides/linear-bearings/"><span >Linear bearings</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6273" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6273"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-guides-slides/plastic-and-composite-guides/"><span >Plastic + composite guides</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-6264" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category current-post-ancestor current-menu-parent current-post-parent menu-item-has-children menu-item-6264"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-drives/"><span >Drives</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-6265" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category current-post-ancestor current-menu-parent current-post-parent menu-item-6265"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-drives/ball-lead-roller-screw/"><span >Ball + lead + roller screws</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6266" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6266"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-drives/belts/"><span >Belt + chain drives for linear</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6267" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6267"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-drives/rack-and-pinions/"><span >Rack + pinion sets</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-6255" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category current-post-ancestor current-menu-parent current-post-parent menu-item-has-children menu-item-6255"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-actuators/"><span >Actuators</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-6256" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category current-post-ancestor current-menu-parent current-post-parent menu-item-6256"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-actuators/ball-and-lead-screw-driven/"><span >Ball + leadscrew driven</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6257" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6257"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-actuators/belt-and-chain-driven/"><span >Belt + chain driven</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6259" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6259"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-actuators/linear-motors/"><span >Linear motors</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6260" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6260"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-actuators/mini-piezo-voice-coil/"><span >Mini + piezo + voice coil</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6262" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6262"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-actuators/rack-and-pinion-sets/"><span >Rack + pinion driven</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6263" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6263"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-actuators/rigid-chain-actuators/"><span >Rigid-chain actuators</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-6250" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6250"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-encoders-sensors-io/"><span >Encoders + sensors (linear) + I/O</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6275" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-6275"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/integrated-linear-systems/linear-stages-gantires/"><span >Stages + gantries</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-12071" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-12071"><a><span >Resources</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-6277" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-6277"><a href="http://www.designworldonline.com/supplier-category/linear-motion/"><span >Suppliers</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-7860" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-7860"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/video/"><span >Video</span></a></li> </ul> </li> </ul></div></nav><div style="padding-top:10px;text-align:center"> <div id='div-gpt-lmt_largeleader'> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-lmt_largeleader'); }); </script> </div> </div><div class="site-inner"><div class="content-sidebar-wrap"><main class="content" id="genesis-content"><article class="post-4403 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail category-application-spotlight category-ball-lead-roller-screw category-ball-and-lead-screw-driven category-linear-actuators category-linear-drives tag-ball-screw tag-buckling tag-sizing entry" aria-label="How to avoid ball screw buckling"><header class="entry-header"><h1 class="entry-title">How to avoid ball screw buckling</h1> <p class="entry-meta"><time class="entry-time">★</time> By <span class="entry-author"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/author/dcollins2/" class="entry-author-link" rel="author"><span class="entry-author-name">Danielle Collins</span></a></span> <span class="entry-comments-link"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/#comments">6 Comments</a></span> </p></header><div class="entry-content"><div class="addtoany_share_save_container addtoany_content addtoany_content_top"><div class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_16 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/" data-a2a-title="How to avoid ball screw buckling"><a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linearmotiontips.com%2Fhow-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling%2F&linkname=How%20to%20avoid%20ball%20screw%20buckling" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_x" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/x?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linearmotiontips.com%2Fhow-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling%2F&linkname=How%20to%20avoid%20ball%20screw%20buckling" title="X" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/linkedin?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linearmotiontips.com%2Fhow-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling%2F&linkname=How%20to%20avoid%20ball%20screw%20buckling" title="LinkedIn" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share"></a></div></div><p>Imagine two columns—one short and wide and the other long and narrow. As you begin to put weight on them, the long, narrow column gradually begins to bend, to the point that it becomes permanently deformed and eventually breaks, while the short, wide column handles the weight with ease.</p> <p>In the same way the long, narrow column reaches its buckling point earlier than the short, wide column, a long ball screw with a small diameter will deform and buckle under a smaller axial load than a shorter screw with a larger diameter.</p> <p>Determining the buckling load is an important step in ball screw sizing. The buckling (compressive) load can easily be calculated based on the screw’s root diameter, unsupported length, and end bearing configuration.</p> <p><a href="http://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Buckling-Equation.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4404" src="/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Buckling-Equation.jpg" alt="Ball Screw Buckling" width="175" height="65" /></a></p> <p style="padding-left: 210px;">where:</p> <p style="padding-left: 210px;">F<sub>c</sub> = maximum compressive load (N)</p> <p style="padding-left: 210px;">f<sub>b</sub> = end bearing factor</p> <p style="padding-left: 210px;">d<sub>1</sub> = root diameter of screw (mm)</p> <p style="padding-left: 210px;">L = unsupported length (mm)</p> <p><em><strong>Application Tip:</strong> The end bearing factor, f<sub>b</sub>, is dependent on the end fixity of the screw. Ball screw manufacturers recommend a safety factor of at least 2 for the maximum applied buckling load, and some incorporate this into this published end bearing factors. To avoid over- or under-sizing, be sure to check whether the manufacturer has built a safety factor into the published f<sub>b</sub> values.</em></p> <p>As shown in the equation, for a given diameter and length ball screw, the permissible buckling load can be increased by changing the support bearing arrangement. The more rigid the support bearings, the higher the bearing factor—ranging from approximately 2.5 for a fixed-free arrangement to 40 for a fixed-fixed arrangement. This means that a fixed-fixed bearing arrangement will result in approximately sixteen times the permissible buckling load than a fixed-free arrangement on the same screw assembly.</p> <p>In a horizontal application, the axial force is generally equal to the load times the screw assembly’s coefficient of friction, so buckling is typically less problematic than other performance factors, such as critical speed or drive torque. But some horizontal applications, such as pressing and injecting, introduce an additional axial load on the screw assembly, and the buckling load can easily become a constraining factor in screw selection.</p> <p>When a ball screw is used in a vertical application, it sees the full load as an axial force, which makes buckling a more important concern. Mounting the screw assembly with the most rigid support (typically the fixed bearing) at the top puts the screw in tension rather than compression and counters the effects of the axial load. In the unusual case of a high reversing force—for example, pushing a plunger into a housing on the screw’s upward stroke—the most beneficial bearing arrangement is to orient the fixed bearing at the bottom of the screw assembly.</p> <figure id="attachment_4406" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4406" style="width: 315px" class="wp-caption aligncenter center"><a href="http://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Nook-Tension-and-Compression.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-4406 size-full" src="/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Nook-Tension-and-Compression.jpg" alt="Ball Screw Buckling" width="315" height="320" srcset="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Nook-Tension-and-Compression.jpg 315w, https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Nook-Tension-and-Compression-295x300.jpg 295w" sizes="(max-width: 315px) 100vw, 315px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4406" class="wp-caption-text">Orienting the fixed bearing on top puts the ball screw in tension.<br /><em>Image credit: NOOK Industries, Inc.</em></figcaption></figure> <p><em><strong>Application Tip:</strong> Most, but not all, screw driven linear actuators use a fixed bearing on the motor side and a floating bearing on the non-driven end. For vertical applications, be sure to check which end of the actuator the fixed bearing is on, in order to avoid excess compressive forces on the screw.</em></p> <p>Buckling is a relatively straightforward, but sometimes overlooked, factor in ball screw sizing. The important things to remember are to check the process forces in horizontal applications, and to check the location of the fixed bearing in vertical applications.</p>  </div><footer class="entry-footer"><p class="entry-meta"><span class="entry-categories">Filed Under: <a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/application-spotlight/" rel="category tag">Applications</a>, <a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-drives/ball-lead-roller-screw/" rel="category tag">Ball + lead + roller screws</a>, <a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-actuators/ball-and-lead-screw-driven/" rel="category tag">Ball + leadscrew driven</a>, <a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-actuators/" rel="category tag">Linear actuators (all)</a>, <a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/category/linear-drives/" rel="category tag">Linear drives (all)</a></span> <span class="entry-tags">Tagged With: <a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/tag/ball-screw/" rel="tag">Ball Screw</a>, <a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/tag/buckling/" rel="tag">buckling</a>, <a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/tag/sizing/" rel="tag">sizing</a></span></p></footer></article><h2 class="screen-reader-text">Reader Interactions</h2><div class="entry-comments" id="comments"><h3>Comments</h3><ol class="comment-list"> <li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-135642"> <article id="article-comment-135642"> <header class="comment-header"> <p class="comment-author"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/52cc166ff5e401270f5d6f1f42770a80?s=48&d=mm&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/52cc166ff5e401270f5d6f1f42770a80?s=96&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-48 photo' height='48' width='48' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/><span class="comment-author-name">daniel</span> <span class="says">says</span> </p> <p class="comment-meta"><time class="comment-time"><a class="comment-time-link" href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/#comment-135642">★ at </a></time></p> </header> <div class="comment-content"> <p>In what units is Fc calculated?<br /> I solved Fc=231, will it be pounds or kg, newtons?</p> </div> </article> </li> <li class="comment byuser comment-author-dcollins2 bypostauthor odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-135951"> <article id="article-comment-135951"> <header class="comment-header"> <p class="comment-author"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/45b0695799579afc0342bf07ef69b7aa?s=48&d=mm&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/45b0695799579afc0342bf07ef69b7aa?s=96&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-48 photo' height='48' width='48' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/><span class="comment-author-name">Danielle Collins</span> <span class="says">says</span> </p> <p class="comment-meta"><time class="comment-time"><a class="comment-time-link" href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/how-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling/#comment-135951">★ at </a></time></p> </header> <div class="comment-content"> <p>Hi Daniel – I apologize, I forgot to put the units on the compressive load, Fc. This is in Newtons, N.</p> </div> </article> </li> </ol></div> <div id="respond" class="comment-respond"> <h3 id="reply-title" class="comment-reply-title">Leave a Reply</h3><p class="must-log-in">You must be <a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linearmotiontips.com%2Fhow-to-avoid-ball-screw-buckling%2F">logged in</a> to post a comment.</p> </div> </main><aside class="sidebar sidebar-primary widget-area" role="complementary" aria-label="Primary Sidebar" id="genesis-sidebar-primary"><h2 class="genesis-sidebar-title screen-reader-text">Primary Sidebar</h2><section id="search-3" class="extendedwopts-hide extendedwopts-tablet extendedwopts-mobile widget widget_search"><div class="extendedwopts-hide extendedwopts-tablet extendedwopts-mobile widget-wrap"><form class="search-form" method="get" action="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/" role="search"><label class="search-form-label screen-reader-text" for="searchform-1">Search this website</label><input class="search-form-input" type="search" name="s" id="searchform-1" placeholder="Search this website"><input class="search-form-submit" type="submit" value="Search"><meta content="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/?s={s}"></form></div></section> <section id="custom_html-9" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="widget_text widget-wrap"><h3 class="widgettitle widget-title">LEARNING CENTER</h3> <div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><center><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; width: 270px;"><a href="https://www.designworldonline.com/learning-center" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/LinearMotionTips-LearningCtr.jpg" alt="Design World Learning Center" style="max-width: 270px;" /></a> <div class="dropdown" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 10px;"> <button class="motion-design-guides">BROWSE CLASSROOMS</button> <div class="dropdown-content"> <a class="motion-design-guide-option" href="https://www.designworldonline.com/miniature-motion-classroom" target="_blank">Miniature Motion</a> <a class="motion-design-guide-option" href="https://www.designworldonline.com/vibration-damping-shocks-classroom" target="_blank">Vibration Damping & Shocks</a> </div> </div></div> </center> <center> <div class="dropdown" style="text-align: center; padding-top: 10px;"> <button class="motion-design-guides">Browse Design Guides</button> <div class="dropdown-content"> <a class="motion-design-guide-option" href="https://designworldonline.tradepub.com/free/w_pbcl07/" target="_blank">LINEAR BEARINGS IN CONTEXT</a> <a class="motion-design-guide-option" href="https://designworldonline.tradepub.com/free/w_delw05/" target="_blank">Crossed-Roller Linear Guides</a> <a class="motion-design-guide-option" href="https://designworldonline.tradepub.com/free/w_defa4108/" target="_blank">Linear Bearing Definitions</a> <a class="motion-design-guide-option" href="https://dw-resources.designworldonline.com/free/w_defa2360/" target="_blank">Pulleys & Belt Drives</a> <a class="motion-design-guide-option" href="https://designworldonline.tradepub.com/free/w_defa4412/" target="_blank">Linear Actuator</a> <a class="motion-design-guide-option" href="https://dw-resources.designworldonline.com/free/w_pbcl01/" target="_blank">Track-Roller Linear Guides</a> <a class="motion-design-guide-option" href="https://designworldonline.tradepub.com/free/w_pbcl03/" target="_blank">Ballscrews</a> <a class="motion-design-guide-option" href="https://designworldonline.tradepub.com/free/w_igus18/" target="_blank">Specifying Linear Bearings</a> </div> </div> </center></div></div></section> <section id="custom_html-5" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="widget_text widget-wrap"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><center> <div id='div-gpt-lmt_sidebar1'> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-lmt_sidebar1'); }); </script> </div> </center></div></div></section> <section id="custom_html-8" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="widget_text widget-wrap"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><center> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: center; width: 300px;"> <div align="center"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/newsletter-subscription-form/" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LinearMotionTips-300x100-1.jpg" alt=“lmt newsletter”></a></div> <div align="center" style="width: 300px; line-height: 20px; padding-top: 10px;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: #0c506d; text-align: center; font-size: 20px;">EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED</span></div> <div align="center" style="line-height: 16px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 16px;">Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Design Engineering Professionals. </span></div> <div align="center" style="padding-top: 10px;"><a href="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/newsletter-subscription-form/" target="_blank"><button style="background-color: #06adef; color: white; font-weight: bold; border: none; padding: 10px; font-size: 16px; cursor: pointer;">GET THE ENEWSLETTER</button></a></div> </div> </center></div></div></section> <section id="custom_html-7" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="widget_text widget-wrap"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><center><a href="https://dw-resources.designworldonline.com/free/w_akri01/" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/300x250-DG-Linear-Motor.jpg" alt=“linear motors design guide”></a></center></div></div></section> <section id="rss-335099535" class="widget widget_rss"><div class="widget-wrap"><h3 class="widgettitle widget-title"><a class="rsswidget rss-widget-feed" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MotionControlTips"><img class="rss-widget-icon" style="border:0" width="14" height="14" src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-includes/images/rss.png" alt="RSS" loading="lazy" /></a> <a class="rsswidget rss-widget-title" href="https://www.motioncontroltips.com/">Motion Control Tips</a></h3> <ul><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.motioncontroltips.com/realtime-communications-with-tsn-hit-the-big-time/'>Realtime communications with TSN hit the big time</a></li><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.motioncontroltips.com/remembering-renishaw-founder-sir-david-mcmurtry/'>Remembering Renishaw cofounder Sir David McMurtry</a></li><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.motioncontroltips.com/maxon-unveils-high-efficiency-joint-drive-a-new-actuator-for-dynamic-robots/'>maxon unveils High Efficiency Joint drive, a new actuator for dynamic robots</a></li><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.motioncontroltips.com/quick-adjust-flange-collars-now-with-hex-and-square-bores/'>Quick adjust flange collars now with hex and square bores</a></li><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.motioncontroltips.com/why-operating-environment-matters-for-actuator-selection/'>Why operating environment matters for actuator selection</a></li></ul></div></section> <section id="rss-335099534" class="widget widget_rss"><div class="widget-wrap"><h3 class="widgettitle widget-title"><a class="rsswidget rss-widget-feed" href="http://www.engineeringwhitepapers.com/category/motion-control/linear-motion/feed/"><img class="rss-widget-icon" style="border:0" width="14" height="14" src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-includes/images/rss.png" alt="RSS" loading="lazy" /></a> <a class="rsswidget rss-widget-title" href="https://www.engineeringwhitepapers.com/">Featured White Papers</a></h3> <ul><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.engineeringwhitepapers.com/new-white-papers/robotic-automation-is-indispensable-for-the-logistics-industrys-continued-growth-and-success/'>Robotic Automation is Indispensable for the Logistics Industry’s Continued Growth and Success</a></li><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.engineeringwhitepapers.com/new-white-papers/reliable-linear-motion-for-packaging-machines/'>Reliable Linear Motion For Packaging Machines</a></li><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.engineeringwhitepapers.com/new-white-papers/technical-brief-understanding-the-extensive-benefits-of-total-linear-positioning-systems/'>Technical Brief – “Understanding the Extensive Benefits of Total Linear Positioning Systems.”</a></li></ul></div></section> <section id="custom_html-6" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="widget_text widget-wrap"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><div id='div-gpt-lmt_sidebarbottom'> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-lmt_sidebarbottom'); }); </script> </div> </div></div></section> <section id="custom_html-10" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="widget_text widget-wrap"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><center><a href="https://www.wireandcabletips.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/300x250-WireCableTips.jpg" alt=""></a></center></div></div></section> </aside></div></div><div class="footer-widgets" id="genesis-footer-widgets"><h2 class="genesis-sidebar-title screen-reader-text">Footer</h2><div class="wrap"><div class="widget-area footer-widgets-1 footer-widget-area"><section id="text-23" class="widget widget_text"><div class="widget-wrap"> <div class="textwidget"><img src="/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/linear-motion-control-tips.png" width="260" height="90" alt="Linear Motion Tips" title="Linear Motion Tips" border="0" /></div> </div></section> </div><div class="widget-area footer-widgets-2 footer-widget-area"><section id="text-24" class="widget widget_text"><div class="widget-wrap"><h3 class="widgettitle widget-title">Design World Network</h3> <div class="textwidget"><a href="http://www.designworldonline.com/" target="_blank">Design World Online</a><br /> <a href="https://www.therobotreport.com/" target="_blank">The Robot Report</a><br /> <a href="http://www.couplingtips.com/" target="_blank">Coupling Tips</a><br /> <a href="http://www.motioncontroltips.com/" target="_blank">Motion Control Tips</a><br /> <a href="http://www.bearingtips.com/" target="_blank">Bearing Tips</a><br /> <a href="https://fastenerengineering.com/" target="_blank">Fastener Engineering</a><br /> <a href="https://www.wireandcabletips.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wire and Cable Tips</a></div> </div></section> </div><div class="widget-area footer-widgets-3 footer-widget-area"><section id="text-25" class="widget widget_text"><div class="widget-wrap"><h3 class="widgettitle widget-title">Linear Motion Tips</h3> <div class="textwidget"><a href="/newsletter-subscription-form/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a><br> <a href="https://marketing.wtwhmedia.com/2024-design-world-media-guide/" target="_blank">Advertise with us</a><br> <a href="/contact-us/">Contact us</a><br> <a href="/about/">About us</a></div> </div></section> <section id="a2a_follow_widget-2" class="widget widget_a2a_follow_widget"><div class="widget-wrap"><div class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_34 a2a_follow addtoany_list"><a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/DesignWorldNetwork" title="Facebook" rel="noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_instagram" href="https://www.instagram.com/designworldnetwork" title="Instagram" rel="noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin_company" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/design-world-online" title="LinkedIn Company" rel="noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_x" href="https://x.com/linear_motion" title="X" rel="noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_youtube" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/DesignWorldVideo" title="YouTube" rel="noopener" target="_blank"></a></div></div></section> </div></div></div><footer class="site-footer"><div class="wrap"><p>Copyright © 2024 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved. <br>The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.</p> <p><a href="http://www.wtwhmedia.com/privacy">Privacy Policy </a></p></div></footer></div></div>  </div> <script> var GAMaccountID = 5272491; var GAMnetworkName = 'dw_network'; var GAMadUnitName = 'lmt_prestitial'; googletag.slots = googletag.slots || {}; </script>  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MMC9PJ9" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>   <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-WF3KXSP" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <div id='div-gpt-lmt_wallpaper'> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-lmt_wallpaper'); }); </script> </div> <div id='div-gpt-lmt_allstreamflex'> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-lmt_allstreamflex'); }); </script> </div> <div id='div-gpt-lmt_allstreamprelude'> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-lmt_allstreamprelude'); }); </script> </div> <script type='text/javascript'>jQuery(document).ready(function($) {$(".flexslider").flexslider({controlsContainer: "#genesis-responsive-slider",animation: "slide",directionNav: 0,controlNav: 1,animationDuration: 800,slideshowSpeed: 4000 }); });</script><script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/plugins/prestitial/assets/js/adlogic.js?ver=1.1.0" id="wtwh_prestitial_core_js-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/plugins/widget-options/assets/js/widgetopts.resize.js?ver=4.0.8" id="widgetopts-resize-script-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-includes/js/hoverIntent.min.js?ver=1.10.2" id="hoverIntent-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/themes/genesis/lib/js/menu/superfish.min.js?ver=1.7.10" id="superfish-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/themes/genesis/lib/js/menu/superfish.args.min.js?ver=3.5.0" id="superfish-args-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/themes/genesis/lib/js/skip-links.min.js?ver=3.5.0" id="skip-links-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/themes/news-pro/js/jquery.matchHeight.min.js?ver=3.2.3" id="news-match-height-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/themes/news-pro/js/global.js?ver=3.2.3" id="news-global-js-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="news-responsive-menus-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var genesis_responsive_menu = {"mainMenu":"Menu","subMenu":"Submenu","menuClasses":{"combine":[".nav-secondary",".nav-primary",".nav-header"]}}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/themes/news-pro/js/responsive-menus.min.js?ver=3.2.3" id="news-responsive-menus-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/plugins/genesis-responsive-slider/assets/js/jquery.flexslider.js?ver=1.0.1" id="flexslider-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="q2w3_fixed_widget-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var q2w3_sidebar_options = [{"use_sticky_position":false,"margin_top":0,"margin_bottom":0,"stop_elements_selectors":"","screen_max_width":0,"screen_max_height":0,"widgets":[]}]; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.linearmotiontips.com/wp-content/plugins/q2w3-fixed-widget/js/frontend.min.js?ver=6.2.3" id="q2w3_fixed_widget-js"></script> </body></html>