Studies on the Sound and Vibration of a Ball Screw : Sound Characteristics of a Ball Screw

An investigation of sound generated from a ball screw was carried out in order to obtain basic information for the sound reduction of a ball screw. The test ball screws were of the single nut and single guide-tube type. Their screw shaft diameter was 20 mm and their lead was 10 mm in length. Test ball screws were set up at a ball screw sound testing machine installed in a soundproof room, and they were operated by the testing machine under the nonload condition. The sound generated from the ball screw was picked up by a condenser microphone. Using the signal thus obtained, sound pressure level measurement, sound waveform observation and real-time frequency analysis etc. were carried out. From the experimental results and considerations, the fundamental sound characteristics of a ball screw were clarified, and some basic information concerning the sound reduction of a ball screw was obtained.