Analysis of linear guide and ball screw stiffness

In this paper, we first show how to calculate the stiffness between balls and raceway grooves, as it is fundamental to discussing the stiffness of ball screws and linear guides (the linear guide is chosen as representative of the two products). We then discuss ways to improve stiffness and present a practical example of improving the stiffness of a linear guide. Second, we show the influence of deflection from parts of linear guides other than that between balls and ball grooves and then give an example of stiffness analysis of a table that incorporates linear guides. Finally, we explain ways to calculate the stiffness of ball screw systems, including the support bearings in every way they may be configured. In this discussion, we demonstrate the effectiveness of applying pre-tension to ball screw shaft when the system has a "fixed/semi-fixed" bearing configuration.