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Question How to support other end of ball screw inside actuator tube?

Discussion in 'Motor actuators and drivers' started by Map63Vette, Jan 4, 2024.

  1. Map63Vette

    Map63Vette Active Member

    Joined:
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    As the title suggests, I've been looking over various DIY actuator builds, but the one thing I still can't quite seem to figure out is how people are supporting end of the ball screw that is on the opposite side of the motor. Most designs appear to be something like a sleeve where the ball screw sits inside the tube that moves in and out of the actuator, so it's not like you can just have a bearing on the inside because it would be moving with the tube. Are people just relying on the tube itself to be a reasonably close fit to the ball screw and using that to restrain the potential whip as the screw turns? That seems like it might be interesting over time with wear and would likely cause extra noise, but I'm not sure I see another way to do it unless the tube is slotted on both sides to allow a bearing to be held statically in the middle, which could negatively affect the strength at that point. Just curious as I've been trying to find some cross sectional style views of parts, but haven't come up with much yet.