Lead Screws
Threaded shafts that convert rotation into controlled linear movement.
Illustrative reference image — not a Navora Precision product photo. Photo: Ytrottier, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons.
What is it?
What is a lead screw?
A lead screw is a threaded shaft: a nut on the shaft cannot rotate with it, so when the screw turns, the nut travels along it in a straight line. Lead screws are the classic way to get precise, controlled linear movement — in positioning axes, lifting and levelling devices, clamps and laboratory equipment. They trade ultimate efficiency for simplicity, accuracy and the ability to hold a position without power. Buyers sometimes distinguish 'lead screws' (positioning duty) from 'power screws' (force duty); in practice the same basic mechanism serves both, and the distinction is about the job, not an absolute classification.
How does it work?
How it works
The screw rotates; the nut, held against rotation, travels along the thread. One revolution of the screw moves the nut by one lead (the distance between thread starts) — so the travel is precise, repeatable and easy to control.
The screw rotates → the nut travels linearly. One revolution moves the nut by one lead.
Schematic only — not to scale, no specifications implied
Types & options
Common types
Common configurations include: Availability of any specific configuration is confirmed during engineering review.
Trapezoidal (Tr) thread screws
The metric standard for power and positioning threads
ACME-type thread screws
The imperial trapezoidal form
Single- and multi-start
One or more thread starts for different travel per revolution
With machined end journals
Prepared ends for bearing support and drive connection
Reference
Typical industry ranges
Commonly manufactured values for this component family. This is public engineering knowledge — not a statement of Navora Precision capability. What applies to your part — sizes, materials, tolerances, treatments — is confirmed against your drawing during engineering review.
- Common diameters
- ~6–80 mm in standard manufacture
- Thread forms
- Trapezoidal (Tr) per ISO 2903/2904; Acme per ASME B1.5; metric ISO
- Travel accuracy
- Trapezoidal classes such as 7e (~52 µm per 300 mm) are common; ground precision screws are far tighter
- Common materials
- Carbon steel and stainless for the screw; bronze, acetal (POM), or cast iron for the nut
- Starts
- 1–4 starts — more starts, more travel speed per revolution
- Self-locking
- Single-start trapezoidal screws with small leads are usually self-locking
Applications
Where is it used?
Generic application contexts for this component family (public engineering knowledge).
- Positioning axes
- Lifting and levelling mechanisms
- Clamping devices
- Medical and laboratory equipment
- General linear actuation
- Industrial machinery
For the engineer
Technical considerations
The engineering questions that define a good requirement for this component family. These are general considerations — your specific values are agreed during engineering review.
- Thread form & size
- Nominal diameter, lead and pitch, number of starts, thread form and hand define travel per revolution and the nut design.
- Accuracy & straightness
- Lead accuracy, straightness and thread quality determine positioning performance; accuracy grades describe how closely the screw follows its nominal travel.
- Load, speed & duty
- How hard the component works — forces, speeds, cycles per day — drives material, heat treatment and accuracy choices.
- Accuracy & tolerances
- Which dimensions are critical, and how tightly they must be held, determines the manufacturing route and the inspection effort.
- Mounting & interfaces
- How the part is fixed and what it mates with — shafts, housings, bolts, keys, chains — must be defined before manufacturing can be planned.
- Environment & surface treatment
- Dust, moisture, chemicals and temperature affect material choice, sealing and finishes such as plating, coating or painting.
- Lubrication & maintenance
- Whether the part runs in oil, grease or dry shapes clearances, material pairing and expected service intervals.
How to enquire
What helps us understand your requirement?
- The type of part or component
- Dimensions, or the drawing if you have one
- Material, if known
- Quantity or annual usage
- The application it goes into
- Operating conditions — load, speed, environment
- A sample or photo, if available
Don't have all of this? That's okay. Start with what you know — questions come back to you before anything is promised.
Looking for this component?
Discuss your component requirement
Share the parameters, the drawing or the sample — whatever you have. Engineering review comes before any commitment on either side.
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