Linear axes with lead screw drive

The lead screw drive is one element of the drive systems. The linear movement of the moving body is generated by a rotating lead screw and transmitted to the lead screw nut. So it is a rotary movement converted into a linear motion.

drylin® linear axes with lead screw drive are designed for positioning tasks of all kinds. The linear adjustment takes place via trapezoidal lead screws of different sizes or via high helix lead screws, which can be set in motion either manually or electrically. The max. travel speed is up to 1.6m/min, depending on thread and load. Stroke length is freely selectable for any linear drive system. A plain-bearing-mounted lead screw has a maximum stroke of 1,500mm, a ball-bearing-mounted one 1,000mm.

What you will find on this page:

▶ Our spindle axles at a glance
▶ Advantages of spindle axes
▶ Structure of a spindle axis
▶ Materials within the spindle axis

▶ Free configurator
▶ Application examples with spindle axes
▶ Free sample and white paper

Our spindle axes at a glance

Here you will find an overview of our linear axis product portfolio with spindle drive. Whether with round shafts or linear rails - you will find the right spindle unit here.

Linear axes SHT

Drive: Trapezoidal or high-helix lead screws
Lead screw drives with plain ball bearings
Lead screws made from steel, stainless steel or aluminium
Carriage in either quad block or compact design
Configurable online

More about drylin SHT linear axes

SLW linear axes

Linear axes based on drylin W guides
Drive: trapezoidal or high helix thread
Torsion-resistant double shaft systems
Many carriage and rail options
Manual and motorised adjustments possible

More about drylin SLW linear axes

SAW linear axes

Linear axes based on drylin W guides
Drive: trapezoidal or high helix thread
Robust design
Ready to install with electric motor
Ball bearing

More about drylin SAW linear axes

Miniature linear axis SLN/SLNV

Based on drylin N low-profile linear guide
Drive: Trapezoidal or high helix lead screw
Compact design
Clearance adjustment on carriage
Precise with pre-load

More about drylin SLN linear axes

Single-tube linear axis SET

Lubrication-free single-tube adjustment
Drive: trapezoidal thread
Simple, smooth design
Low weight due to aluminium and polymer
Temperature-resistant up to +50°C

More about single-tube axes easytube

Low-profile SLT linear axes

Based on drylin T miniature guides
Drive: Trapezoidal or high helix lead screw
Low-profile and compact design
Carriages with individual clearance adjustment
Variable lead screw options

More about drylin SLT linear axes

Advantages of spindle axes

When a cost-effective, ready-to-install solution is required, spindle axes are often the first choice. Here you can see what other advantages the linear drive with the aid of a spindle has over other systems:

Precise positioning

By converting the rotary motion from the spindle directly into a linear motion, very accurate and repeatable positioning is achieved. This is crucial in applications with tight tolerances and high precision.

Compact design

Spindle axes are also available in particularly small versions. Thanks to their compact design, they are perfect for all applications where only a small installation space is available. Discover our complete drylin® miniature series.

High load capacity

Spindle drives in linear modules are able to carry and move very high loads. In contrast to flexible toothed belts, for example, spindle axes can ensure efficient power transmission due to their low rigidity.

Low-friction movement

Linear modules with spindle drive are particularly low-friction. The constant, precise movement of the spindle drive minimises friction and therefore also wear on the components. This ensures a longer service life for the entire spindle axis.

Structure of a lead screw axis

A lead screw axis contains several complex components that must fit together perfectly.A precise structure plays a key role in the performance and accuracy of the linear axis.Here you can see the most important components at a glance.

Lead screw axis of igus in cross section

1. storage
High-quality bearings minimise friction values and also ensure uniform rotary movement. As a rule, roller bearings, ball bearings or plain bearings are used here. igus® uses plastic bearings and plastic nuts without lubrication for all linear rails with spindle drive.

2. shaft
linear axis with spindle drive can, for example, be equipped with cantilevered round shafts, but also fully supported with linear rails. With igus® you can choose from 3 different shaft materials, depending on the application: Aluminium, stainless steel or carbon.

3rd spindle
The spindle forms the actual centrepiece of the spindle axis. This rotates around its own axis and thus transmits the movement. It is a cylindrical component that is available in a variety of designs. At igus® you will find trapezoidal threads and high helix threads in numerous pitches.

4. base body
The base body of the linear axis with spindle drive holds the individual components together in a stable manner. This can also be made of different materials such as stainless steel, aluminium, zinc or plastic. We will be happy to work with you to find the right material for your application.

5. spindle pivot
The spindle pin helps to keep the spindle in a fixed and stable position. It ensures that the lead screw does not move sideways or wobble while rotating or moving linearly. It therefore plays a particularly important role in precision.

6. accessories
When the spindle axis is fully assembled, the matching accessories are of course still missing. Here users can choose between mechanical and electrical options. The classics here are the hand wheel, as shown in the example, but also suitable Electric motors.

Different materials within the axis

Lead screw materials

igus uses self-locking trapezoidal lead screws made of steel and stainless steel for all drylin linear units. Lead screws made of hard-coated aluminium are also available upon request for special applications. For some series, high helix lead screws made of stainless steel are also optionally available and configurable. These options make it possible to achieve significantly higher travel speeds and pitches.

Shaft materials

Shafts made of hard-anodised aluminium belong to the standard range and are the most frequently used version. The reason is a low coefficient of friction and wear and short delivery times. If the linear axes with lead screw drive (SHT) type is used, steel or stainless steel shafts are conceivable in addition to aluminium. We would be happy to work with you to find the right version.

Bearing materials

Without the use of external lubricants and also maintenance-free? This applies to all bearing points of the drylin linear units for drive technology. The high-performance polymers are optionally available for applications with high temperatures up to +180°C (iglidur X). If FDA-compliant components are required, iglidur A180 bearing materials will help.

drive technology configurator

Customised spindle axes according to your wishes

With the online configurator for drive technology, you can enter your requirements and receive linear drives with spindle, toothed belt or rack and pinion drive, which you can configure according to your needs. Motors, motor controls and other accessories for your linear drives can also be ordered directly.

Quick and easy configuration
Optional accessories
Detailed parts list
Fast delivery*

To the drive technology configurator*You can also find pre-configured linear actuators in our online shop.

Application examples with lead screw axes

Drive technology application example Art Robotics

Special measurement setup with lead screw axes

Research and development in the field of sustainability requires innovative, cost-effective, cleanroom-compatible solutions. In combination with the motor and control system, our lubrication-free lead screw axes ensure a cost-effective turnkey solution.

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3D printer for concrete l Lubrication-free solution for dusty environment

The use of cement creates a high level of dust load in the 3D concrete printer, which the products have to withstand. Furthermore, the longest possible service life and fast maintenance are required. Our bearing solutions and lubrication-free linear drives ensure a long service life despite dirt and contamination.

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Drive technology in an order picking unit

Electric drive technology in an automated positioning system

Unlike traditional recirculating ball bearing systems, drylin® linear plain bearings operate on sliding elements. This application overview shows you the most diverse areas of application for maintenance-free linear drives from the drylin® product range.

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More application examples

Here you will find many more application examples from our customers from all industries. Discover the applications in which the linear units from igus® have already been used.

To the application examples