KEVOS® MAKEOS · Power Transmission
Lead Screw Travel Speed
How fast does the nut travel at this screw speed?
Calculate the linear travel speed of a lead screw or ball screw nut from the screw lead and rotational speed.
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How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Screw lead (travel per revolution) | mm | Travel per revolution. For a multi-start screw, lead = pitch × number of starts. |
| Screw speed | rpm | Screw speed relative to the nut. |
Method and formulas
- Speed (mm/s) = lead (mm) × speed (rpm) / 60.
- Example: 5 mm lead at 300 rpm gives 5 × 300 / 60 = 25 mm/s, or 1,500 mm/min.
Limitations
- Acceleration, backlash, critical (whirling) speed and the nut’s maximum speed are not checked.
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Choose a lead for a target travel speed
- Convert motor speed to axis speed
- Estimate stroke time at constant speed
Who it is for
- Design engineers
- Maintenance engineers
What you get
- Linear travel speed (mm/s and mm/min)
Interpreting the result
- Using pitch instead of lead on a multi-start screw underestimates speed by the number of starts.
References
- Budynas R. G. and Nisbett J. K., Shigley’s Mechanical Engineering Design, 10th edition (McGraw-Hill, 2015), chapter 8, section on the mechanics of power screws. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
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