Screw Manufacturing Solutions

Precision screws are critical motion control components that convert rotary motion to linear motion in various industrial applications. They require precise thread geometry, superior surface finish, excellent wear resistance, and consistent performance. 
We provide comprehensive manufacturing solutions from forging, heat treatment, precision machining, grinding, to rigorous testing and full traceability, ensuring each screw meets demanding performance requirements for CNC machines, automation systems, aerospace, and automotive applications.

Common Customer Challenges

  • Thread Precision: Achieving precise thread profile, pitch accuracy, and lead consistency for smooth motion and positioning accuracy.
  • Surface Finish Quality: Maintaining ultra-smooth surface finish (Ra≤0.2μm) for minimal friction and maximum efficiency.
  • Straightness Control: Ensuring straightness and concentricity throughout the screw length to prevent binding and premature wear.
  • Heat Treatment Uniformity: Achieving consistent hardness distribution and dimensional stability after heat treatment.
  • Wear Resistance: Balancing surface hardness with core toughness for long service life under continuous operation.
  • Batch Consistency: Maintaining dimensional accuracy and performance consistency across large production runs.

Manufacturing Solutions

Ball Screws

  • Technical Points: Precision ball raceway grinding, surface hardness control, straightness optimization, dynamic load capacity.
  • Process Route: Forging → Heat treatment → Rough machining → Precision grinding → Raceway grinding → Testing.
  • Success Case: High-precision ball screws, lead accuracy ±3μm/300mm, surface finish Ra≤0.2μm, positioning repeatability ±2μm, service life 50,000 hours.
Ball Screws
Lead Screws (ACME/Trapezoidal)

Lead Screws (ACME/Trapezoidal)

  • Technical Points: Thread profile accuracy, surface finish, wear resistance, self-locking capability optimization.
  • Process Route: Bar preparation → Machining → Thread milling/grinding → Heat treatment → Coating → Testing.
  • Success Case: Industrial lead screws, thread accuracy ISO 2c class, wear resistance improvement 60%, load capacity 30 kN.

Rolled Thread Screws

  • Technical Points: Thread rolling process optimization, material flow control, surface hardening, fatigue resistance.
  • Process Route: Bar preparation → Heat treatment → Thread rolling → Surface treatment → Testing.
  • Success Case: High-volume rolled screws, production efficiency 300% improvement, fatigue life 5x standard, cost reduction 40%.
Rolled Thread Screws

Screw Manufacturing Process

Raw Material Preparation (GCr15)
  • Process step description: Start with GCr15 bearing steel raw material for screw shaft manufacturing.
  • Equipment: Material handling equipment, cutting machine, material inspection equipment.
Induction Heat Treatment
  • Process step description: Apply induction heat treatment to achieve target hardness and material properties.
  • Equipment: Induction heating machine, temperature monitoring system.
Tempering And Holding
  • Process step description: Perform tempering and holding to relieve stress and improve material toughness.
  • Equipment: Tempering furnace, temperature control system.
Centerless Grinding
  • Process step description: Grind outer diameter using centerless grinder for initial dimension control and surface preparation.
  • Equipment: Centerless grinder, grinding wheel, coolant system.
Initial Straightening (≤0.1mm)
  • Process step description: Straighten shaft to achieve straightness tolerance ≤0.1mm after initial grinding.
  • Equipment: Straightening machine, straightness gauge, hydraulic press.
Whirling (Thread Forming)
  • Process step description: Form ball screw thread profile using whirling machine to create initial thread geometry.
  • Equipment: Whirling machine, whirling cutter, CNC control system.
Cutting To Length (2500mm)
  • Process step description: Cut screw shaft to specified length of 2500mm with precise length control.
  • Equipment: CNC cutting machine, length measurement gauge, cutting tools.
Intermediate Straightening (≤0.03mm)
  • Process step description: Further straighten shaft to tighter tolerance ≤0.03mm after thread forming.
  • Equipment: Precision straightening machine, laser straightness gauge, multi-point straightening fixture.
Annealing, Total Length Machining, And Centering
  • Process step description: Anneal shaft, machine total length, and create center holes for subsequent precision operations.
  • Equipment: Annealing furnace, CNC lathe, centering machine, dimensional gauges.
Fine Straightening (≤0.01mm)
  • Process step description: Achieve high precision straightness tolerance ≤0.01mm for final accuracy.
  • Equipment: Precision straightening machine, laser measurement system, multi-point correction fixture.
External Thread Grinding
  • Process step description: Precisely grind external ball screw thread to final dimensions and surface finish.
  • Equipment: External thread grinder, thread grinding wheel, CMM.
External Cylindrical Grinding
  • Process step description: Grind external cylindrical surfaces to final dimensions and surface quality.
  • Equipment: External cylindrical grinder, grinding wheel, surface roughness tester.
Full Length Polishing (20-30 Times)
  • Process step description: Polish entire screw length 20-30 times to achieve superior surface finish Ra≤0.2μm.
  • Equipment: Polishing machine, polishing media, surface finish measurement equipment.
Final Straightening (≤0.01mm)
  • Process step description: Ensure final straightness is within ≤0.01mm tolerance after polishing.
  • Equipment: Precision straightening machine, laser straightness gauge, final correction system.
Cleaning
  • Process step description: Clean finished screw component to remove polishing residue and contaminants.
  • Equipment: Ultrasonic cleaning machine, industrial cleaning system, drying equipment.

Screw Production Line

Production Line Layout And Configuration

  • Overall Layout: Linear layout optimized for long component handling with efficient material flow and minimal handling.
  • Workstation Division: Material preparation → Machining → Heat treatment → Grinding → Thread processing → Testing → Packaging.
  • Logistic Passage: Main aisle 3-4 m wide, auxiliary aisles 2-2.5 m; roller conveyors and automated handling for screw transport.
  • Buffer Zone Setup: Buffer inventory (2-4 hours WIP) between heat treatment and grinding to accommodate cooling and straightness correction.

Equipment Configuration And Automation

Machining Station Equipment Configuration

  • CNC Lathes: 3-4 units, for precision turning and shaft preparation.
  • Machining Centers: 2 units, for end features and complex geometry.
  • Thread Milling Machines: 1-2 units, for lead screw thread machining.
  • Automation: Automated loading/unloading, in-process measurement, adaptive control.

Heat Treatment Station Equipment Configuration

Grinding Station Equipment Configuration

  • CNC Cylindrical Grinders: 2-3 units, for precision shaft grinding.
  • Thread Grinding Machines: 2 units, for precision thread grinding.
  • Ball Screw Grinding Machines: 1-2 units, for ball raceway grinding (ball screws).
  • Automation: Automatic dressing, in-process measurement, adaptive grinding, straightness compensation.

Surface Treatment Station Equipment Configuration

  • Nitriding Furnaces: 1 unit, for surface hardening.
  • Coating Systems: 1 unit, for protective coatings.
  • Chrome Plating Line: 1 unit, for corrosion protection (optional).
  • Automation: Automatic loading, process control, quality monitoring.

Production Flow And Material Handling

  • Material Flow: Raw steel bars → Cutting → Machining → Heat treatment → Grinding → Thread processing → Testing → Packaging.
  • Handling: Roller conveyors, robotic handling, automated transfer systems, V-block supports for inter-station movement.
  • Protection: Padded supports, controlled handling procedures, rust prevention measures, thread protection caps.

Relate Machine

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