A time and money saving alternative to ball screw systems
Ball screw systems, and other linear drive systems offering automatic reversal of the traversing nut and the ability to adjust speed, almost invariably carry a requirement for a variety of costly components. These include control systems, sensors, clutches, encoders, reversible variable-speed motors, and gear boxes.

Training personnel to operate a screw-based system adds to your overall investment. And maintaining the equipment is a specialized business which often requires skilled technicians and labor.

As shown in this illustration, a typical screw-based winding system requires numerous controllers, encoders and accessories. This equipment can be costly to acquire, maintain and operate.

Forget ball screws. Simplify design, operation and maintenance.
Far simpler to design and implement, and more efficient to operate, is a "Rolling Ring " system. A rolling ring system enables automatic reversal, and permits changes to linear speed, without relying on complex control systems and programming. Reversal is mechanically controlled. And travel direction is not dependent on the rotational direction or speed of the shaft.

Rolling ring systems reduce a linear motion system's dependency on external, electronic controls and programming. For example, suppose a rolling ring linear drive assembly was used in a winding system to guide the material guide back and forth onto a spool.

Rather than having to stop the traversing system to reverse the linear actuator, as with a screw-based set-up, a rolling ring system automatically reverses while the drive motor continues to rotate at a constant speed in one direction. That eliminates the need for clutches or gears, simplifying both design and operation. It also eliminates the need to invest in a bi-directional take-up drive motor.

Uhing linear drives in winding machines

A rolling ring winding system eliminates the need for clutches, cams and gears. When changing travel direction, there is no need to change the rotational direction or the speed of the motor. A simple pulley system links the drive motor to the linear motion assembly.	Once pitch is set on a rolling ring drive, it will remain constant regardless of how fast the drive motor rotates, or in what direction. The pulley system links the drive motor to the linear drive shaft thereby eliminating the need for a second motor. Linear speed per shaft revolution is automatically synchronized with the drive motor rotation and is manually or remotely adjustable.

More "rolling ring" benefits
In production environments, the threads on a ball screw can become clogged and cause the system to jam. When a ball screw jams, the system churns and grinds, which can damage or destroy valuable equipment. To avoid this, a protective bellows assembly is often needed which adds cost and limits space.

The shaft in a rolling ring system is smooth, and unthreaded. Dirt and debris, therefore, don't get caught in threads. There is usually no need to design and construct a bellows assembly.

A rolling ring drive runs on a smooth shaft. There is no danger of clogging threads. If the system is overloaded, the rolling ring drive will "slip" instead of jamming. This protects valuable components and extends the life of the system.

Depending on the make and model, rolling ring linear actuators can provide up to 800 lbs. of axial thrust. The dynamic shaft/bearing interface of a rolling ring linear actuator is virtually backlash-free because there are no gaps between the bearing surface and the shaft.

Rolling ring linear drive systems can be designed to handle a variety of positioning and reciprocating linear motion applications. A rolling ring linear drive is typically supplied within a production framework which is "dropped" into manufacturing line machinery.

Before you accept the downtime and extra costs of a ball screw system, find out how a "rolling ring" system can help build productivity