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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    Adelaide
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    574

    Default Ballscrew lubrication ?

    I noticed a threaded hole in the flange of the ballscrews I'm using, an internet search didn't comeup with a great deal of info - a lone youtube video shows that this could be for lubrication is this the case ? if so has anyone fitted a lubrication system to ballscrews, it would seem that the time to fit this would now while I'm still working on fitting the ballscrews to the X&Y axis.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
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    2,651

    Default

    I've never dealt with machine ballscrews, but spent a fair bit of time lubricating aircraft ones in a previous life.
    Just did a Google search on "ballscrew lubrication", and came up with lots of info.

    Here's one of the top hits: https://www.thomsonlinear.com/en/sup...ed-lubrication

    Steve

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    34
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    1,075

    Default

    It would probably be sufficient to just use a screw-in grease nipple and give it a top up shot every year or so instead of a whole lubrication system. The small CNC lathe at work has that on the Z axis.
    Gear cutting specialists and general engineers www.hardmanbros.com.au
    Fine pitch gear cutting from 0.1 Module www.rigear.com.au

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
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    57
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    Default

    ^agreed.
    They are rolling elements in a relatively sealed container, so no need for continuous supply of lube like a slideway or gear.
    Better off to put effort into keeping debris off the screw and providing good lube to other sliding surfaces.

    Steve

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    574

    Default

    Thanks for the replies - once the mill X/Y table setup is assembled the ballscrew nuts will more or less hidden so I was thinking more along the lines of having an oil line with a oneshot hand operated pump, but if grease is the way to go I could install an external grease nipple with a short length - 100mm-120mm - of flexible or metal tubing that leads to the ballscrew nut, this would probably be a lot easier to implement.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
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    2,651

    Default

    Probably easier if you can do it is to have an access hole somewhere with a plug that you can remove for access to the grease fitting with a pointed/needle end on the grease gun.
    If the nipple was say 30mm inside the housing a 10mm access hole is plenty to get a needle point and your eyeball in at the same time.
    You don’t need much grease and pressure. Like any rolling bearing - enough to lube it, not packed solid with grease.

    Steve.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Kingswood
    Posts
    930

    Default

    My Bridgeport clone, a Kondia FV-1, has LinuxCNC operating 2 ballscrews and the original z-axis screw.

    The original central lube pump has ISO 46 piped to the screw and all slides.
    The two ballscrews have an additional pump with ISO 32.

    My theory was that the higher speeds on the slides with CNC would require a lighter oil.
    I have gas springs on the knee to reduce some of the pressure on the screw.

    The lighter oil on the ballscrews is frequently flushed so that the oil on the screw has an opportunity to fling off with any dust/swarf.

    The mill when purchased had grease in the ballscrews and no provision for refreshing.

    Keep well,
    John.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    South of Adelaide
    Posts
    1,225

    Default

    The ball screws on all our CNC's at work are lubed with slideway 68 from the lube pump that does they ways, so oil should be ok if that is easier for you. our wire cutter uses grease at 1000 hour intervals, and the 5axis mill that is nearly on the way has a auto greaser.

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