Screw drives convert rotary movements into precise linear motion, or vice versa. Depending on the industry application, there are many specific requirements – ranging from precision, installation space, efficiency, and load capacity to the environmental conditions in which the system must operate.

Ball screw assemblies (also known as ball screws) work with circulating balls and are particularly suitable for precise, dynamic, high-efficiency applications. They are used wherever precise and energy-efficient linear movements are required, such as in the machine tool, medical technology, handling, semiconductor, and electronics manufacturing industries.

Planetary screw assemblies use planets (thread rollers) as rolling elements. Due to the larger contact surface, they can absorb significantly higher forces and achieve higher stiffness and service life. Their area of application is ideal for heavy-duty applications with high forces and limited installation space.

Essential factors in the design of a screw drive are load, dynamics, precision, duty cycle, installation position (vertical or horizontal), environmental conditions, and the desired service life of the system.

Ball screw assemblies from Bosch Rexroth offer particularly smooth running thanks to the optimal removal of the balls from the raceway. In addition, Rexroth ball screw assemblies are characterized by high load ratings with many balls in a short nut design.

The ready-to-install AOK and AGK drive units from Bosch Rexroth combine the proven Rexroth ball screw assembly with a nut housing and pillow block units to form a ready-to-install drive axis. In combination with a linear guide, the drive unit becomes a functional linear axis for many applications.