If your need a fast and efficient way to lift a heavy load, you need a ball screw mechanical actuator. If you’re looking for a ball screw actuator, look no further than C.H. Bull. We offer high speed, high performance ball screw actuators from Duff Norton. Duff Norton’s upright rotating ball screw actuators deliver superior performance and reliability in any load-lifting application.
Request a quote on an upright rotating ball screw actuator, or contact us to learn more.
Duff Norton Upright Rotating Ball Screw Actuators
Available with lifting capacities from 500 lbs. to 50 tons, Duff Norton’s upright rotating ball screw mechanical actuators can be customized to meet the unique performance specifications of your application (see below).
Ball screw actuators are up to six times faster than machine screw actuators. They move loads and apply force more efficiently, and their ball screw design reduces friction for lower power consumption.
Engineered to handle full load in tension or compression, Duff Norton ball screw actuators can be operated via electronic, hydraulic, or pneumatic motors. All models are furnished with standard raises in increments of 1”. Multiple ball screw actuators can be synchronized for simultaneous use on the same load.
A variety of screw end options are available to meet varying application needs: plain ends, clevis ends, threaded ends, and top plates. Limit switches are available (optional) to regulate vertical travel (up or down).
C.H. Bull also offers inverted rotating, upright translating, and inverted translating ball screw mechanical actuators, as well as Duff Norton machine screw actuators.
Customizable to Meet Your Application Requirements
To deliver the ideal performance for your application, C.H. Bull can provide a customized ball screw mechanical actuator. Customizable features include:
• Lifting capacity
• Stroke length
• Motor type
• Screw end type
• Limit switch
• and more
Request a quote on an upright rotating ball screw mechanical actuator. Contact C.H. Bull for more information on these or any of our quality products.
Selecting the Right Mechanical Actuator for Your Needs
Step 1: Define the operating parameters, including total load, load per actuator (if using multiple units), lifting speed, total travel, load type, and ambient working temperature.
Step 2: Determine which actuator type is best-suited to your application. A variety of factors must be considered when selecting a ball screw actuator or a machine screw actuator. Ball screw actuators are faster and more efficient, and require less horsepower to lift an equivalent load. Machine screw actuators are inherently load-holding and are preferred for high vibration applications.
Step 3: Calculate the required actuator performance. Select an actuator with capacity greater than the load to be lifted. Using the formulae below, you can calculate the performance requirements.
For loads greater than 25% of the actuator’s capacity, torque should be considered proportional to the load.
A) Actuator torque (in.-lbs.) = Actuator load (lbs.) x worm torque at full load
Actuator capacity (lbs.)
(For loads less than 25% of the actuator’s capacity, add “Worm torque at no load” to this formula to account for frictional losses.)
Calculate the input RPM of the actuator. (WARNING: Shaft input speed should never exceed 1,800 RPM.)
B) Input RPM = Desired lifting speed (in./min.) x turns of worm for 1” lift
Calculate the input HP of the actuator.
C) Actuator input HP = Actuator torque (in.-lbs.) x RPM
63,000
Compare the necessary input HP to the actuator’s maximum HP rating. If the specified maximum is exceeded, select an actuator rated for higher HP.
If using a gear reducer, multiply the motor HP by the reducer’s efficiency to calculate the reducer output (actuator input) HP.
For multi-unit arrangements in which two or more mechanical actuators will be shaft drive by a single motor or gear reducer, add the input HP requirements of all actuators. If using a mitre gear box, allow for 2% power loss for every 90° turn in the power path.
Step 4: Determine the best configuration for your application. Consider the speed, capacity, and duty cycle requirements of your application when making your selection.
Step 5: If lifting an unattached or free-rotating load, configure the actuator so that the lifting screw extends when the actuator is in motion. Duff Norton provides a square nut inside a square cover pipe for the end of the lifting screw (for ball screw actuators) or a keyed shell and screw (for machine screw actuators) to prevent rotation of the translating screw.
Step 6: Review actuator selection. Double-check your application’s travel and load requirements, as well as the ratio, capacity, and speed of the actuator. Determine which end fitting option—plain, clevis, threaded, or top plate—is best for your application.
Safety Warnings
Actuator input speeds should never exceed 1,800 RPM.
Never exceed the actuator’s static or dynamic capacities.
Never exceed the actuator’s specified horsepower limits. If the maximum HP must be exceeded, consider a more efficient or higher-capacity actuator, reduce the lifting speed, or select a different actuator ratio.
