NSK has developed what it says is the world’s first bioplastic retaining piece for ball screws, made mainly from plants
The use of bioplastic for the new retaining piece is claimed to reduce carbon footprint by 90% over its lifecycle in comparison with using conventional materials. NSK says the development is an environmentally sustainable choice for any European manufacturer looking to reduce CO2 emissions and meet increasingly stringent regulations.
Low-carbon and environmental measures are increasingly required in a wide variety of industrial machinery to meet increasingly stringent regulations. NSK says it is committed to realising a carbon-neutral society and as part of this ethos, the company is increasing its use of bioplastics. Ball screws are a key focus area due to their popularity in all kinds of industrial machines and systems.
Ball screws are highly efficient at transmitting force and converting motion (from rotational to linear), delivering significant energy savings. In recent years, injection moulding machines and servo presses have been among the machine types switching from hydraulic to electric drive systems using servomotors and ball screws as a means of reducing power consumption.The demand for ball screws is set for ongoing growth, says NSK, particularly if sustainable solutions are available.
NSK’s development of its S1 bioplastic retaining piece for ball screws (50 to 200mm diameter) makes a further contribution to achieving carbon neutrality. Drawing on its expertise in materials technology, NSK selected and validated DSM’s EcoPaXX® bioplastic (a plant-derived high-performance polyamide) as the retention piece material. As a point of note, retaining pieces sit between the balls to prevent them from colliding with each other and causing damage.
