In the worktable feed systems of CNC machine tools, ball screws convert servo motor rotation into linear motion with extremely high precision, driving worktables to micron-level positioning accuracy for every cutting operation. At both ends of the ball screw, support bearings carry the full axial and radial loads of the screw, ensuring rigidity, precision and thermal stability during high-speed rotation. In precision positioning platforms of automation equipment, ball screw support bearings maintain accurate positioning under frequent start-stops and high-speed reciprocating motion. In measurement equipment and semiconductor manufacturing devices, screw support bearings ensure nanometer-level positioning accuracy with extremely low friction torque and heat generation. In every piece of equipment requiring precision linear positioning and high-speed feed, ball screw support bearings are the core precision components achieving high precision, high rigidity and long-life operation.

 

Ball screw support bearings are precision angular contact ball bearings specifically designed for supporting ball screws, characterized by high precision, high rigidity and low heat generation. Compared to general angular contact ball bearings, ball screw support bearings are typically manufactured to P4 and P2 ultra-high precision grades, with a 60° contact angle (some use 25°) to provide maximum axial stiffness and bidirectional axial load capacity. The 60° large contact angle design enables bearings to withstand the enormous bidirectional axial thrust generated during ball screw forward and reverse rotation while maintaining extremely low axial displacement——this is the key to ensuring CNC machine tool positioning accuracy.

 

Ball screw support bearings are typically used in matched pairs——fixed-end configurations (back-to-back DB or face-to-face DF) carry axial loads and provide system stiffness; support-end configurations allow axial displacement for screw thermal expansion. Bearing preload grading (light, medium, heavy) is precisely set to eliminate axial clearance while maintaining appropriate preload, preventing excessive preload from causing heat generation and life reduction. Ball screw support bearings are widely used in CNC machine tool worktable feed systems, automation equipment positioning platforms, measuring instruments, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, medical devices, robot joints and various equipment requiring precision linear positioning and high-speed feed.

 

NMT High-Precision Ball Screw Support Bearing Technology Solutions

 

Japan NMT high-precision ball screw support bearings are specialized product series developed specifically for the stringent requirements of precision positioning and high-speed feed systems——high stiffness, low heat generation, long life and high reliability.

 

60° Large Contact Angle Design——The core of ball screw support bearings lies in the 60° large contact angle design. Unlike ordinary angular contact ball bearings with 15°, 25° and 40° contact angles, NMT ball screw support bearings use a 60° large contact angle, providing maximum stiffness and minimum axial displacement under axial loads. The 60° contact angle maintains extremely low axial elastic deformation under bidirectional axial loads, effectively supporting precise ball screw positioning during forward and reverse rotation. The increased contact angle enlarges the ball-to-raceway contact ellipse area, making contact stress distribution more uniform, extending bearing fatigue life while maintaining high rigidity. Validated through rigorous stiffness testing, NMT ball screw support bearing axial stiffness reaches industry-leading levels, meeting the stringent micron-level positioning requirements of CNC machine tools.

 

P4/P2 Ultra-High-Precision Manufacturing System——Ball screw support bearing precision directly determines positioning system accuracy. NMT ball screw support bearings are manufactured strictly to P4 and P2 precision grades, with critical dimensional tolerances controlled to micron levels. The production line employs a fully closed-loop controlled ultra-precision grinding system equipped with nanometer-resolution online measurement devices, monitoring and correcting machining parameters in real-time. Products are processed through fully automatic grinding and superfinishing in temperature-controlled ultra-clean workshops. Rolling elements undergo ultra-high-precision screening with sphericity deviation controlled to nanometer levels. Bearing radial runout and axial movement are controlled to ultimate limits, ensuring minimum vibration excitation and highest positioning repeatability during high-speed screw rotation.

 

Matched Pair Configuration and Precision Preload Solutions——Ball screw support bearings are typically used in matched pairs to achieve bidirectional axial load capacity and system stiffness optimization. NMT offers two standard matching arrangements——back-to-back (DB) and face-to-face (DF). Back-to-back configuration (DB) provides the highest overturning rigidity for fixed-end support applications. Face-to-face configuration (DF) offers better thermal compensation capability for applications with significant temperature variations. NMT provides precise preload grading options——light preload for high-speed light-load and low-heat requirements; medium preload for general conditions, balancing stiffness and heat; heavy preload for heavy-load and high-rigidity requirements. Preload is validated through matching calculations with screw systems, ensuring bearing sets maintain consistent stiffness and accuracy throughout the full lifecycle.

 

Low-Heat and High-Speed Adaptability Design——During high-speed feed, bearing heat generation is a key factor limiting speed and accuracy. NMT ball screw support bearings achieve low-heat and high-speed performance through three approaches. Cage level——High-strength lightweight engineering plastic (phenolic or PEEK) cages with precision dynamic balancing correction maintain accurate ball guidance at high speeds, reducing friction heat. Geometry level——Bearing internal geometry is optimized with precisely calculated ball diameter and quantity to reduce friction heat generation at high speeds while maintaining load capacity. Lubrication level——Oil-air or grease lubrication solutions are employed, with precisely controlled lubricant quantity to form stable oil films while minimizing churning heat. Validated through high-speed durability testing, NMT ball screw support bearings maintain stable performance with low temperature rise and low vibration under high-speed feed conditions.

 

Bidirectional Axial Load Capacity——Ball screws generate bidirectional axial thrust during forward and reverse rotation, requiring support bearings with bidirectional axial load capacity. NMT ball screw support bearing 60° large contact angle design provides symmetrical axial load capacity and stiffness in both directions. Matched pairs with precise preload control maintain stable contact states and stiffness under bidirectional loads, eliminating backlash and ensuring positioning accuracy during screw reversal. Validated through bidirectional axial load testing, NMT ball screw support bearings exhibit excellent stiffness symmetry in both directions, meeting the high-precision positioning requirements of frequent CNC machine tool reversal.

 

Low Friction Torque and Start-Up Response——Ball screw support bearing friction torque directly affects servo motor load and response speed. NMT ball screw support bearings minimize friction torque through superfinished raceways, precision-graded balls and optimized cage designs. Low friction torque characteristics enable immediate servo motor response at start-up, eliminating positioning deviations and motion lag from friction torque fluctuations. Friction torque remains stable across wide speed ranges, ensuring consistent response characteristics during low-speed micro-feed and high-speed rapid traverse.

 

Long-Life and High-Reliability Design——Ball screw support bearings承担critical positioning tasks in CNC machine tools and automation equipment, with life and reliability directly determining equipment service cycles and maintenance costs. NMT ball screw support bearings utilize high-purity bearing steel with vacuum degassing refining and precision heat treatment for excellent contact fatigue strength. Raceways undergo superfinishing with optimized residual stress control to effectively suppress fatigue crack initiation. Validated through rigorous fatigue life testing, NMT ball screw support bearing rated life meets the long-term continuous operation reliability requirements of various precision equipment.

 

Multiple Sealing and Lubrication Options——NMT ball screw support bearings offer multiple sealing and lubrication options for different operating conditions and installation requirements. Sealing options——Open configurations for oil-air and oil-mist lubrication; non-contact shields (ZZ suffix) for high-speed and low-resistance applications; contact rubber seals (2RS suffix) for dust and contamination protection. Lubrication options——Oil-air lubrication for ultra-high-speed and heavy-load applications; grease lubrication for medium-to-high-speed and general applications using low-noise, low-heat high-speed specialized grease. NMT provides optimal sealing and lubrication recommendations based on specific speed, load and temperature conditions.

 

Why Choose NMT High-Precision Ball Screw Support Bearings?

 

Compared to conventional bearings and industry-standard screw bearings, NMT high-precision ball screw support bearings offer distinct advantages:

 

60° large contact angle design for maximized bidirectional axial stiffness

 

P4/P2 ultra-high precision with micron-level dimensional tolerances

 

Matched pair configurations (DB/DF) with precise preload grading (light/medium/heavy)

 

Back-to-back configuration for highest overturning rigidity

 

Face-to-face configuration for optimal thermal compensation

 

Lightweight phenolic/PEEK cages with precision dynamic balancing

 

Optimized internal geometry for low friction and low heat

 

Symmetrical bidirectional axial load capacity eliminating backlash

 

Low friction torque for excellent high-speed response

 

Oil-air/grease multiple lubrication options for different speeds

 

Open/shields/seals multiple options for different protection requirements

 

High-purity bearing steel + precision heat treatment for excellent fatigue strength

 

Passed stiffness, precision, heat and life testing

 

Widely applied in CNC machine tools, automation equipment, measuring instruments and semiconductor equipment

 

These performance advantages establish NMT high-precision ball screw support bearings as the core precision components for CNC machine tool feed systems, automation positioning platforms, precision measuring instruments and various precision linear drive systems.

 

Application Scenarios

 

CNC machine tool worktable feed screw bearings

 

Machining center Z-axis screw support bearings

 

Automation equipment precision positioning platform bearings

 

Measuring instruments and CMM bearings

 

Semiconductor manufacturing equipment positioning screw bearings

 

Medical device precision linear drive bearings

 

Industrial robot linear axis bearings

 

Laser processing equipment feed screw bearings

 

Precision Manufacturing

 

Produced strictly according to ISO and JIS precision standards with zero-defect quality execution, NMT high-precision ball screw support bearings utilize high-purity bearing steel, processed through vacuum degassing treatment, precision heat treatment, ultra-precision raceway grinding and superfinishing, rolling element ultra-high-precision screening, cage precision forming with dynamic balancing correction, matched pair precision assembly, preload pairing control, rotational accuracy inspection (P4/P2 grades), 60° contact angle precision measurement, axial stiffness testing, low-heat validation and high-speed durability testing. Every product is processed through fully automatic grinding and superfinishing in temperature-controlled ultra-clean workshops, with micron-level dimensional tolerances strictly controlled—ensuring high stiffness, low heat and long-life reliability.

 

Product Range

 

60° contact angle screw support bearings (standard type)

 

Matched duplex screw support bearings (DB/DF)

 

P4/P2 ultra-high-precision screw bearings

 

Low-heat high-speed screw bearings

 

High-stiffness heavy-load screw bearings

 

Sealed screw support bearings

 

Custom non-standard screw support bearings

 

Global Industrial Service

 

Japan NMT supplies high-quality high-precision ball screw support bearings to global CNC machine tool manufacturers, automation equipment companies, precision measuring instrument manufacturers and semiconductor equipment suppliers. With high-stiffness low-heat precision engineering and long-term stable reliable performance, NMT continuously empowers the precision and efficiency of global precision positioning and high-speed feed systems.