What Is a Ball Screw and How Does It Work?

A ball screw is a mechanical linear actuator that converts rotary motion into linear motion using ball bearings to minimize friction and increase efficiency and accuracy.

What Types of Ball Screws Do You Offer?

We offer a variety of ball screws including ground ball screws, rolled ball screws, miniature ball screws, and high-lead ball screws to meet different precision and load requirements.

How Do I Choose the Right Ball Screw for My Application?

Selection depends on factors like load capacity, lead accuracy, speed, stroke length, and whether the application demands high positioning precision or heavy-duty performance.

What Is the Difference Between Ground and Rolled Ball Screws?

Ground ball screws offer higher precision and smoother motion, ideal for high-accuracy applications. Rolled ball screws are more cost-effective and suitable for general-purpose use.

What Maintenance Is Required for a Ball Screw?

Regular lubrication is essential. Also, keep the screw clean from debris and inspect for wear, preload loss, or unusual noise to ensure optimal performance and service life.

Precision Bearings and Rods: Reliable Linear Motion Components from YIDI Motion

Sourcing high-quality bearings and rods? Cut through the risks with proven OEM solutions for US importers and manufacturers. Get factory-direct pricing today.

Ready to discuss your specs?
Talk to Our Export Engineer | +86 18134111662

Why Sourcing Bearings and Rods Can Trip Up Even Seasoned Buyers

I've been in export for over 15 years, shipping linear motion parts like bearings and rods to US machine shops and automation firms. One thing stands out: procurement managers often chase the lowest upfront price, only to deal with failures down the line.

Take rod ends paired with precision bearings. A mismatch in tolerances, and your assembly binds up under load. We've seen importers return loads because rods warped during ocean transit—poor packaging or subpar chrome steel.

Lead times stretch too. Domestic suppliers quote weeks but deliver months later. Overseas? If the factory skimps on heat treatment for those bearing races, fatigue sets in fast on high-cycle apps like CNC spindles.

Another headache: certifications. You need RoHS compliance for EU resale, but some factories fake the papers. Or tolerances—Class C3 bearings sound fine until vibration specs don't hold.

We've talked to US ops managers who switched after rod bearing combos failed in packaging lines. Downtime costs thousands per hour. The fix? Partner with a factory that gets your workflow.

Our Take on Bearings and Rods: Built for US Industrial Demands

At YIDI Motion, we specialize in bearings and rods that integrate seamlessly into linear motion systems. Think chrome steel rods hardened to HRC 58-62, mated with deep groove ball bearings or rod end bearings for pivot points.

Our lineup covers everything from standard metric rods with linear bearings to custom tie rods for heavy machinery. We OEM for brands that demand zero defects—exported to over 50 countries, including major US distributors.

What sets us apart? German-imported grinders ensure rod straightness within 0.01mm/300mm. Bearings get P6 precision as standard, with options up to P4 for high-speed apps.

Procurement tip: Always spec your max load and speed early. A 20mm rod might handle 5 tons static, but dynamic drops to 1.5 under oscillation. We run FEA sims pre-production if needed.

Customization is routine. Last month, a Texas fabricator needed stainless rods with self-lubricating bearings for washdown environments. Delivered in 3 weeks, container-ready.

Short story: One importer overlooked grease compatibility. Bearings seized after 6 months. Now we spec lithium complex as default—holds up in -20°C shops.

Technical Specs: Bearings and Rods Breakdown

Diving into details. Our rods are typically CK45 or 40Cr seamless steel, induction hardened ends. Bearings? 52100 chrome steel, heat-treated for durability.

Rod Diameter	Length Range	Straightness	Max Static Load
12-50mm	200-3000mm	0.01mm/300mm	2-15 tons
Bearing Type	Precision Class	Bore Size	Max Speed (RPM)
Deep Groove / Rod End	P0-P4	5-120mm	10,000-25,000

bearing rod rod-end bearing bearing rod end

Materials table for quick reference:

Rods: Chrome steel (GCR15), stainless (SUS440C), surface Ra 0.2-0.4
Bearings: Cage steel or brass, seals nitrile rubber for oil/grease
Tolerances: Rods IT6-IT5, bearings ABEC-3 to ABEC-7 equivalent

Need a custom bore? We handle it. Just share your CAD.

Where Bearings and Rods Shine in US Operations

Automation lines in Midwest factories. Rods with linear bearings guide pick-and-place arms—smooth travel, minimal backlash.

Agricultural gear. Tie rod bearings endure vibration on tractors; our PTFE-lined options cut maintenance.

CNC machining. Precision rods pair with angular contact bearings for spindle stability. One California shop cut setup time by aligning rods dead true.

Packaging machines. High-speed rods with sealed bearings handle constant oscillation without galling.

Warning: Undersized rods fail fast under shock loads. Spec 1.5x safety factor minimum.

Inside YIDI Motion: 100+ Employees, World-Class Setup

Founded 2020 in Shijiazhuang, Hebei. Our 100-person team has 30% senior techs. Japanese CNC grinders, German spectrometers—straightness measured optically.

Capacity? 50,000m rods monthly, 200k bearings. OEM/ODM full service: from prototype to 40ft container loads.

Angular Contact Bearing Supplier

Exports to US, Germany, Japan. Addr: 16-1-1601 Aobeigongyuan, Chang'an District, Shijiazhuang, China. Email: adam@yidimotion.com

Certifications: ISO 9001, RoHS, CE. Full test reports per batch.