Robust feature design for early detection of ball screw degradation

Published

October 1, 2024

Author(s)

Xu Han, Marcella Miller, Gregory Vogl, Guanyu Chen, Xiaodong Jia

Abstract

The ball screw is a critical device for precision linear motion control that has widespread applications in industrial robots, computer numerical control (CNC) machines, and high-precision leveling systems, among others. Because high-precision positioning is ensured by the high rigidity of the ball screw system, it is crucial to detect and monitor the loss of rigidity at the earliest possible stage of degradation. The degradation process of the ball screw can be characterized in two stages: the initial reduction of rigidity without backlash, followed by a loss of rigidity with an emergence of backlash. To explore the change of the ball screw dynamics caused by degradation, a novel fixed cycle feature test (FCFT) is implemented in combination with multi-level mass experiments and a run-to-failure (RTF) test. The relationships of the ball screw dynamics with preload, worktable mass, and axis position are investigated, with a focus on the axial natural frequency as an indicator of rigidity loss. Experimental results validate the axial natural frequency's role as a reliable early detector of rigidity loss for interventive use in a prognostic system.

Citation

Manufacturing Letters

Volume

41

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mfglet.2024.09.148

Local Download

Keywords

ball screw, rigidity loss detection, predictive maintenance

Citation

Han, X. , Miller, M. , Vogl, G. , Chen, G. and Jia, X. (2024), Robust feature design for early detection of ball screw degradation, Manufacturing Letters, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mfglet.2024.09.148, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=957008 (Accessed October 4, 2025)