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Question Longevity/lifespan of banggood ballscrews.

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by Joey, Nov 8, 2019.

  1. Joey

    Joey Member

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    I've seen loads of people here using ballscrew/acme rod type setups and figured they must last a long time.
    So i bought a couple of these. https://www.banggood.com/nl/SFU1204...Ehzud8Kg8Cr7ZkBoCL1sQAvD_BwE&cur_warehouse=CN
    But how long? And what is the maximum payload before they weardown prematurely?
    Should i be worried when they have to push about 50/60kg around?
  2. GruntyPig

    GruntyPig New Member Gold Contributor

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    I've been using SFU1204 ballscrews for a few years now and I haven't had any problem with wear yet. One thing to note if you want them to last longer, there are greasing holes in the ballscrew nut (in the flange) and you can keep the nut filled with grease by applying grease through these holes (I use a syringe filled with grease to squirt it in). Your ballscrews will last longer and make less noise if you grease them occasionally. When you are building your sim, it is good to make it that you can access these grease ports. There is no point in greasing the shafts of the ballscrew because the nut has seals on both ends, and grease on the screw won't get into the nut where you need it. As for the 50/60kg - I don't know what effect this will have on the life of the ballscrews.
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
  3. Joey

    Joey Member

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    Thanks! Didn't know about the seals being that tight. Then again you really don't want any dust or grime on those balls so sounds logical.
    Guess i have to redesign or drill holes in my actuator as they are pretty much completely covered up...
  4. GruntyPig

    GruntyPig New Member Gold Contributor

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    @Joey If the design is the same as your previous photos, then you might not need to do any modifications. The grease port is circled in red in the image below. It is not immediately obvious what it is it - but this hole goes right into the ball nut. Put grease in here while slowly turning the screw until you see it coming out of the seals. Seals should be tight for exactly the reasons you mentioned, to keep any dirt/dust entering the ball nut.
    upload_2019-11-13_16-4-50.png

    Attached Files:

    • Agree Agree x 1
  5. Joey

    Joey Member

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    Oh that hole! Nice! Thanks!hug:
    I've seen those plastic caps on the inside thinking those were for the oil.
    I guess those plastic caps are where the balls can be inserted right?
  6. adgun

    adgun Active Member

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    Hoi Joey
    In de rode cirkel op de foto zit een gat met schroefdraad voor een vetnippel in te draaien, zodat je hem met een vetspuit kunt vullen.
    De witte plastic kappen zijn stofkappen de vul opening voor de kogels zit normaal in de sleuf van het ronde deel boven de flens.
    groeten Ad
  7. Joey

    Joey Member

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    Zitten volgens mij heel wat nederlanders hier ofniet? hug:
    Maar idd heb even de manual van de kogelomloopspindels geraadpleegd en weet nu precies hoe het zit!
    Nu maar hopen dat ze iig een paar jaar mee gaan.
    Ben benieuwd.

    "English please" I know ;)
  8. adgun

    adgun Active Member

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    There arnt so mush dutch members 10/15 i think
  9. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    • Agree Agree x 1
  10. GruntyPig

    GruntyPig New Member Gold Contributor

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    @Joey The plastic caps on the side of the nut are not designed to be removed from the outside. They are pushed in from the inside. The caps have a little guide inside them and is where the balls in the ballscrew nut cross over from one thread to another. I made the mistake of removing one of these caps from the outside to try to reload the balls (after the nut came off the end of the rod), but the balls cannot be loaded from this position and the cap cannot be refitted from the outside.

    If the nut does come off the rod, there are some good videos on youtube on how to reload the balls into the nut, but it cannot be done from the plastic caps.
    • Agree Agree x 1