ON THE CLASSIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SCREWNUT TRANSMISSIONS

George DOBRE Marcel DASCALIUC Radu-Florin MIRICA

classifications and characterizations associated and providing in this way a state of the art on constructive development in field. It is the aim of the paper. The classifications are giving by representative criteria; the correlated characterization discusses and justifies the presented solutions. But the classifications and the correlated characterizations do not cover all constructive possibilities in field, because of the restraint space of the paper. In these conditions, it is referring to the presentation of a limited number of modern and perspective solutions, but extending and actualizing the considerations from the own paper [1], using also [2] and [3], the standard ISO 3408 [47] and company prospects [8]. As a result, the paper has a didactic content (specific to a monography) and serves to the developers to approach modern and innovatively the conception of these transmissions. The paper is the consequence of a laborious activity of synthesis and analysis, implying an extreme large study of references and also the use of own experience. Table 1. Industrial applications of screw-nut transmissions (by WPC technical catalogue)

Abstract: The screw-nut transmissions represent a very important type of mechanical transmissions by the fulfilled functions and, as a result, the large area of applications today and in the future. Their conception and production are developed in well-known companies in world (a part is given in the list of references). Nevertheless, a synthesis of general considerations on this type of transmissions structured by classification schemes and associated characterization is imperative. The present paper approaches this problem based on a profound analysis of the literature in field and on the own experience. As consequence, the paper constitutes a necessary basis required to a modern and innovative approach of the product development in field. The paper is a renewed and enlarged edition in form and content of the paper [1] proposed by the same authors. Keywords: screw-nut transmissions; classifications; characterization. ball-screws;

Industrial field Nuclear power plant

Machine tools

General mechanical engineering

Steel industry Aircraft industry

1. INTRODUCTION
The screw-nut transmissions are very large used today and in future in industry because of the favorable functions fulfilled: relative motion between the basic parts (screw and nut) on very high lengths, of high precision and high efficiency. As a result, the application fields are extreme different (table 1). A modernized and innovative product development of the screw-nut transmissions could be done better by knowing a preliminary state of the art in field. The volume of knowledge in area of this type of transmissions is extremely large (the reference list mentioned especially the catalogues of some companies in field). After our opinion, basic and systematic considerations of the screwnut transmissions were not developed in the specialty literature in a form considered in the present paper. As a result, it is utile to approach these basic considerations on screw-nut transmissions, containing

Medical technology Automobile industry Miscellaneous

Applications Refueling machines Rod drive mechanism control Horizontal, vertical lathes Boring & milling machines Drilling machines Jig borers, grinding machines Machining centers Laser cutting machines Paper-processing machines Packaging machines Plastics processing machines Wood working machines Industrial robots Wire cutting machines Electric discharge machine Smelting plants Slab lifting plants Aircraft landing flaps Airport equipment X-ray apparatus Radiotherapy devices Hospital beds Linear actuators Devices and fixtures Lifting units (e.g. car lifts) Valves actuators Various actuators

2. CLASSIFICATIONS
Different constructive classifications of screw-nut transmissions are elaborated. The classified elements are: groove (fig. 1), screws (fig. 2), nuts (fig. 3), rolling elements (fig. 4), recirculation systems (fig. 5), nut housings (fig. 6), shaft bearings (fig. 7), end stoppers (fig. 8), protection covers (fig. 9). The classification criteria are specific constructively or in operation of the mentioned classified elements. 315

By number of groove starts By groove direction

With a single start With multiple starts On right hand On left hand Circular groove

By motion relative to screw By number of nuts

Fixed nut Rotating nut Single nut Double nut Cylindrical

By track groove shape Groove By groove position relative to revolution surface

Ogival groove

By shape

Prismatic Other Without possibility to attach a flange With possibility to attach a flange At one side With flange In middle position In other position Without contact With seals Flanged back to back Flanged face to face Others X arrangement O arrangement Offset With contact

Logarithmic groove External groove Internal groove With small lead (< 4 mm) By lead size profile With medium lead ( 4...24 mm ) With large lead (> pitch circle diameter) By sealing existence By flange existence

Without flange

Without seals

Fig. 1. Classification of groove

By motion relative to nut By number of components Rotating screw Fixed screw A single part (monoblock) With multiple (joined) parts With full section With hollow section With a single end With two ends Through hardening steel By material Case hardening steel Stainless steel

Nut

By nut arrangements on shaft

By preloading system
On full length On half length By material Carbon steel Alloy steel By melting process

Nut/counter nut

Single nut

Oversize
Adjustable Carbon steel Alloy steel

By crosssection shape Screw By number of ends

Through hardening steel Case hardening steel Stainless steel Air melted Vacuum degassed Electro slag remelted Vacuum remelted

Fig. 2. Classification of screws

3. CHARACTERIZATION 3.1. Groove

The number of starts is currently 14. The most used is the variant with a single start, because it is easily technological. The variants with multiple starts (> 4) offer the advantage of bigger relative axial displacement between screw and nut and increase the loading capacity (because the number of rolling elements is superior). More starts could be also required in the case of the nuts with restraint lengths, when the multiplication of circuits determines the advantages mentioned previously. 316

Fig. 3. Classification of nuts The groove direction is usually right. The left direction is used if it is imposed functionally (e. g. the variant with synchronous shafts). The technology is the same for the both types. The track groove shape is usually circular or ogival (gothic) (fig. 10), if the rolling elements are balls. This form could be triangular if the satellite rollers (threaded or knurled) are applied. The medium and low rotational speed is preferred for circular track groove. The ogival track groove ensures a theoretical contact in two points between a ball with the conjugated element (screw or

Spherical (balls) By shape Cylindrical (rollers) Hybrid Rolling elements Load balls By function Spacer balls High qua-lity steels By material Titanium alloys Carbide Ceramic

Ordinary contact Threaded Knurled

Metallic By material Non-metallic End stopper Elastic By rigidity Rigid By collision direction Axial Tangential

Chromium alloy steel Stainless steel

Fig. 8. Classification of end stoppers Telescopic Flexible protection By type Of full protection Protection covers By material Non-metallic Fig. 9. Classification of protection covers
Ball Nut Nut Nut

Fig. 4. Classification of rolling elements

By number of circuits One circuit Multiple circuits Internal of nut Recirculation system By position External of nut Mixed

Accordion protection Metallic

By number of parts

Monoblock Multiple

Fig. 5. Classification of recirculation systems Cylindrical By shape Closed Prismatic Split Nut housing By existence of seals By motion relative to screw Without With seals Fixed Rotating

Screw a) Circular groove

Screw b) Ogival groove shape, four contact

Screw c) Ogival groove shape, two contact

Fig. 10. Circular (a) and ogival (b, c) groove shape nut); hence a low axial clearance is obtained, determining the possibility of increased rotational speed and high axial forces in the both directions. The triangular track groove (fig. 11) guaranties a higher static and dynamic axial load rating related to other track groove shapes (because of multiple contact points between the rolling elements and screw or nut); but the price is higher comparatively. The use of triangular track groove could be of future because of continuously improving contact loading capacity researches. Approximately, it is considered that weight of use today of the different groove forms is: 10% for the circular groove; 70% for the ogival groove; 20% for the triangular groove. By the groove position relative to the revolution (cylindrical) surface, there are: 1. external groove (of shaft), cut into an external surface of rod; 2. internal groove (of nut), cut into an internal surface of bushing. The groove lead size has an important functional role: 1. the small leads are used in the case of small and accurate feeds; 2. the medium leads are designated for medium feeds and loads; 3. the large leads ensure a high feed on low loads. 317

Fig. 6. Classification of nut housings By bearing existence With bearings Without bearings Ball bearings By type of bearings Shaft bearings By end fixity Roller bearings Mixed Journal bearings Fixed - fixed Fixed - supported Fixed - free Supported-supported By rigidity of bearing unit With normal rigidity With high rigidity

Fig. 7. Classification of shaft bearings

Nut

Threaded roller

1. full length hollow shaft (fig. 14, a), accomplishing different functions by passage of the different elements in the case of machine tools and robotics; 2. half drill hollow shaft consisting by (fig. 14, b): a) a hole practiced till the middle of the shaft (screw); b) a pipe inserted into this hole without contact.

Screw
Pressure welding

a) Solution with threaded rollers Knurled roller Nut

Threaded joint

Pin joint

Fig. 13. Solutions of multiple (joined) screw parts Screw b) Solution with knurled rollers Fig. 11. Triangular groove shape in solutions using threaded rollers (a) and knurled rollers (b)
a) Full length hollow shaft Shaft Pipe

3.2. Screws
By the motion relative to nut there are: 1. the rotating screw (and fixed nut), the case used generally; 2. the fixed screw (and rotating nut, fig. 12), in applications as: robots, lifting devices, machine movable parts).

b) Half drill hollow shaft

Fig. 14. Solutions of hollow screw shafts The half drill hollow shaft solution permits the recirculation of the thermostatic lubricant introduced in pipe and drained off by the space between the pipe and shaft hole; the benefic effect is an increased cooling relative to other solutions. The number of shaft ends is the one or two. It is imposed by: 1. the corresponding bearing arrangement; 2. the screw axis position (horizontal or vertical); 3. the type of lubrication system of all conjugated components (nut, bearings). For applications of small nominal diameter and large length it is possible the use a supplementary journal between the two ends, to ensure a great assembly rigidity. Shaft materials. The special requirements have to be fulfilled by the screw materials are: 1. a high mechanical strength limit (the ultimate strength in tension) to reduce the size, with the negative effect of diminished elastic buckling stability; 2. a high layer hardness (over 5862 HRC) to ensure a high contact strength limit after the heat-treatment; 3. a tenacious core to ensure a big strength at dynamic loads; 4. other properties, as the corrosion resistance required to operate in specific corrosive environments. The trough hardening steels (carbon and alloy steels) are recommended in general industrial applications. The case hardening steels are preferred for high contact stress and high operation accuracy (machine tools, general mechanical engineering, automobile industry, lifting units, Valves actuators).

Screw

Nut housing

Nut Bearing housing

Fig. 12. Fixed screw and rotating nut By the number of screw parts, the screw could be monobloc, current solution for low and medium lengths (under 510 m). The variant of multiple (joined) screw parts (fig. 13) is imperative technologically for high screw lengths, over 10 m, preferred for fixed screw and rotating nut or high accuracy applications. The screw cross-section shape is full currently. There is also a non-conventional solution of hollow section, permitting the passing thru of different parts: cables, hoses, oil, shafts. There are two constructive variants: 318

The stainless steels are imposed in nuclear power plant, steel industry, aircraft industry, medical technology).

3.3. Nuts
By the motion relative to screw there are the same conjugated variants decrypted above at screw characterization: 1. the rotating nut (and fixed screw), the case used in following applications; 2. the fixed nut (and rotating screw), By the number of nuts, there is single nut or double nut (fig. 15). The single nut is the most used in a variety of constructive forms. The double nut is composed by two pieces, nut and counter nut, which are currently preloaded in opposite senses of direction.
Single nut Single nut a) Without flange and possibility to attach one

b) Flange at nut end

c) Flange at nut middle

Double nuts

Double nuts

d) Threaded nut end to assembly a flange

e) Flange assembled on threaded nut end

Fig. 17. Solutions without (a) and with flange (be) The sealing existence. The nut shape and lubrication type specific for each application directly influence the constructive shape and the material of the seals. The variant of nut without sealing is rarely used, only for special cases of very clean environments and of the seals placed in other components see the discussion about the nut housing later. The same applications are also suitable for the seals without contact, which non-permitting a perfect sealing. The contact sealing is a common solution, because of the inherent protection benefits, but the heating determined by the contact friction has such influence on the operation precision. Various constructive shape and materials are proposed in order to reduce the friction between sealing contact elements (fig. 18): 1. the solution with wipers polyurethane ring (fig. 18, a left); this solution could be improved (offering a low friction) using a narrow polyurethane ring in combination with a rigid ring low friction material (as PTFE) in contact with the conjugated element (shaft) (fig. 18, a right); 2. the current solution using a cup seal (fig. 18, b left); the solution is better carrying out the lips as much possible sharp and thin, to diminish the contact friction (fig. 18, b right); 3. the current solution of fiber seal (fig. 18, c left); the improved solution (fig. 18, c right) use a special case to obtain two advantages: a more protective sealing (by the better continuum contact of fibers) and reducing the contact heating (by the effect of the forced or not cooling system associated); 4. the brush solution (fig. 18, d left) - common for high speed and clean environment; for normal application the improved solution (fig. 18, d right) uses an associated PTFE wiper ring. 319

Fig. 15. Solutions of single or double nuts The nut shape (fig. 16). The cylindrical nut shape is the most used because of its technologically simplicity. The prismatic nut and other shape have not these advantages; as a result, these types are promoted by specific reasons.
Cylindrical nuts

Prismatic nut

Fig. 16. Solutions of nut shapes The nut flange allows the connection of the nut with the conjugated element as saddle, tailstock etc. The nut with flange (fig. 17, be) is the most common. Often the nut could be designed without flange, but with the possibility to attach it on the nut (fig. 17, d) by specific joints (threaded on fig. 17, d and e). The position of the flange on nut could be different: at one end side (fig. 17, b, e), in the middle position (fig. 17, c) or on other position, in function of the shape of the flange conjugated elements.

Polyurethane seal

PTFE seal

Nut preloading system. The preloading by nut-counter nut is the most usual (fig. 20, a). The two nut bodies are positioned and loaded axially relatively in two specific variants: 1. in O setting, the two nut bodies being deviated relatively by a spacing element (rigid spacer or spring); the solution is frequently, because it ensure a good relative rigidity of the assembly nuts-shaft and it is simpler constructively; 2. in X setting, by approaching relatively the two nuts when the solution is imposed constructively. It would be notify that the denomination O or X of the nuts setting is assumed from the similar notation of rolling bearing mounting.

a) Solutions with wipers seal Cup seal Sharp and thin lip seal

b) Solutions with cup seal Wiper seal Elastic fiber case seal

c) Solutions with fiber seal Brush seal Wiper seal Brush seal

Contact in O arrangement

Contact in X arrangement

a) Preloading by double nuts

d) Solutions with brush wipers

Fig. 18. Solutions of nut seals Nut arrangements on shaft. There are many nut arrangements in dependence of relative position of the nuts on the shaft. To fulfill a specific application, the nut positions are different: back to back (fig. 19, a), flange to flange (fig. 19, b) or other arrangement (fig. 19, c). The most preferred solution contains a nut with flange and a nut without flange in assembly of double preloaded nuts.
Nut housing c) Oversize preloading by four contact points of ball P Phh Ph h P P P P h hh P h

Ph + + p P h P

b) Offset preloading by lead deviation

a) Back to back nut flanges

d) Adjustable preloading by a split nut

Fig. 20. Solutions for nut preloading ( Ph - lead; P - lead deviation)

b) Face to face nut flanges c) Other arrangement

Fig. 19. Solutions of nut arrangements on shaft The nuts arrangement on the shaft will influence the location of the lubrication point and depend also of the shaft position (vertical, horizontal) and the end type of bearings arrangement. 320

The preloading by a single nut is applied generally in the case of medium axial loads without shocks or for special applications. It is carried out by the following solutions: 1. by offset preload type (fig. 20, b): a nut has opposite contacts of the symmetrical ball circuits, due of the shifting leads between these opposite circuits; this variant is more expensive technologically relative to the other single nut preloading types;

2. by oversized ball preload type (fig. 20, c): all balls having an increased controlled diameter (over the regular size) determine contacts in four points with the conjugated grooves; this type is suitable for short operation strokes and high accuracy operation at low speed; 3. by adjustable preload type (fig. 20, d): a split nut is mounted with clearance on the screw shaft and the preload is performed by shrinkage of the nut body. The solution is dedicated to the law exigency applications. Nut materials. The specific nut material requirements (partially similar as the ones of the screw material) are: 1. a mechanical strength limit of the body (the ultimate strength in tension) in order to reduce the nut size; 2. a high hardness (over 6264 HRC) to ensure a very good contact strength limit after the heat or surface treatment; 3. other properties, as the corrosion resistance required to operate in specific corrosive environments; 4. the melting method and the purity of chemical components influencing directly the dynamic load ratings and the life expectancy. From the material presented in the classification, the bearing alloyed steels are preferred because of their superior behavior and properties in operation as well in general or special applications. The case hardening (carburized) steels have superior qualities: shock resistance manufacturing capacity after hardening process at end user. The stainless steels for nuts are the same use as in the case of the shaft. Melting process. The steel melting type influences specifically the dynamic axial load ratings and operational lifetime in the order indicated in classification: the lower influence has the air melted method and the greatest influence the vacuum remelted type (to see the table 2). Table 2. Values of bearing steel melting factor influencing the dynamic axial loading rating for different nut material melting method (by ISO 3408-5:2006) Nut material melting method Air melted Vacuum degassed Electro slag remelted Vacuum remelted Steel melting factor f m 1.00 1.25 1.44 1.71

the specific contact and the technology difficulties. The threaded rollers (fig. 11, a) are used for high axial loading (multiple contact points), high accuracy of lead and low feeds. The diameters are similarly as in the case of ordinary balls. It is a trustily future solution. The knurled rollers (fig. 11, b) have the same characteristics, these having a more difficulty technology. As a result, their use area is more restraint. The hybrid rolling elements (fig. 21) are the rolling bearings of special form, placed between the screw and nut. The solution is applied at special applications. By function, the balls are considered: 1. of load, having the main task of rolling contact elements (fig. 22, a); 2. of spacer (interpolated balls, fig. 22, b).
Spacer ball

a) Loading balls

a) Loading and spacer balls

Fig. 22. Balls by their functions Material of rolling elements. The chromium steels used are similarly as type and physical and chemical proprieties as the ones specific for rolling bearings. Other materials as stainless steel, titanium alloys, carbides or ceramic could be choice for top level or many critical applications (aircraft, nuclear, chemistry).

3.5. Recirculation systems

The number of circuits of the recirculation system is one or multiple. The solutions having from two to six (fig. 23) circuits are currently used in different applications, in function of the necessary dynamic and static axial load ratings. The solution with more than 6 circuits ensure a bigger dynamic and static axial load ratings because of increased number of rolling elements, but Fig. 23. Nut solution with some important with 2 circuits consequences: 1. increase of friction and decrease of efficiency; 2. a bigger correlated temperature in system; 3. an increased lubricant volume; 4. increased price costs because of bigger number of components, supplementary technology operations and auxiliary maintenance 5. a higher noise level. The position of the deflector element carrying out the recirculation is: 1. internal (within nut), as a monoblock piece (fig. 24, a); the solution diminishes the outer diameter size of the nut and keeps away from preventable protuberances; 321

3.4. Rolling elements

Shape of rolling elements. The balls are large used in the screw nut transmissions: at over 85 %. These are used into a large range of dimensions (under 1 mm until 35 mm diameter), ensuring thus the functional requirements. The dimensions, degree of accuracy are identically with the ones used for rolling bearings. The normal cylindrical rollers are rarely used, because of the tribological aspects deriving from

Fig. 21. Solution of hybrid rolling element (rolling bearing with a modified inner ring)

2. external (outside of nut), as a tube of recirculation (fig. 24, b); the solution is preferable for high speed applications, because of directly way without elbows; 3. the mixed variants are performed in multiple solutions almost protected by patents, which ensure (fig. 24, c): - a better straight way, - an easy assembly and rolling elements; - a different location versus the nut body (on the two frontal surfaces, on the external cylindrical surface, etc).
Internal deflector

(fig. 26, b) has a limited use; this form could be closed or split (the last version permits an easier mounting or dismounting of the screw and nut assembly on or from the movable elements).

a) Cylindrical nut housing a) Internal deflector

b) Prismatic nut housing

Fig. 26. Solutions of nut housing shapes The existence of nut housing sealing is benefic to ensure a good protection by simpler possibility to replace or change the seals and to provide an adequate location of the lubrication points. The variant without seals in nut housing impose the placement of the seals into the body of nuts. The motion of the nut housing relative to the screw. The variant of rotating nut relative to screw (see for example fig. 12) allows to support the bearings system directly on the nut housing ensuring a high protection against the nuts radial loads/overcharges. The solution is fully used for example in robotics, rotary tables etc.

b) External deflector (tube) c) Mixt deflector (tube)

Fig. 24. Solutions of deflectors Number of recirculation system parts. The most used recirculation solution uses an internal monoblock component having a special recirculation. The assembly of this monoblock piece into nut is very different: 1. from outside to inside, 2. from inside to outside, 3. free or fixed on the nut body, 4. free on the groove track of the shaft and supported or fixed in the nut body; 5. for one circuits or for multiple circuits. The tube solution most frequently uses monoblock components. The tube from multiple components (two pieces joined, fig. 25) is also applied; this last solution are strongly recommended for high sped and loads applications alike with very good accuracy requirements.

a) Nut housing with seal b) Nut housing without seal

Fig. 27. Solutions of nut housing sealing It is mentioned that the nut housing designated to rotating shafts (see for example fig. 19, a) or rotating nuts has the followings negative or positive consequences: 1. the overall dimensions and size become larger; 2. the geometrical errors increase (the nut housing being a supplementary element determining this effect); 3. the way of the lubricant become longer and intricate; 4. the noise level is diminished.

3.7. Shaft bearings

Bearing existence. The shaft could be sustained by bearings at the two ends; this current constructive solution is specific for the rotary shaft. The other variant do not have shaft bearings: it is the case of rotary nut (fig. 28) [2]. Fig. 25. Solutions of deflector tube of two pieces Rotary nut

3.6. Nut housings

In modern and classical solutions, the nut housing is an intermediary component/support between the nut/nuts and other conjugated piece (saddle, traverse, working head etc.). The nut housing shape. The cylindrical shape (fig. 26, a) is the current variant because of its simpler technology. On the contrary, the prismatic nut housing shape 322

Fig. 28. Solutions of shaft end without bearing [2]

Type of bearings. There are mainly four bearing types in the shaft supporting methods. The ball bearings are used for high speed and medium loads generally for machine tools and associated mechanisms where the precision and velocity are both required. For the mechanisms where high axial loads and medium velocity are imposed, the roller bearings arrangements are the best solutions. The mixed solution (ball and roller bearings in specific arrangements) is dedicated for the large use of applications without specific requirements. The journal bearings are the common solution for the method without any bearings in rotating nuts applications. End fixity. There are four solutions regarding the ends fixity type of the screw shaft, with direct influence in buckling shaft behavior (ISO 3408-5:2006) [2]:

4. supported supported, the bearings shaft construction do not need any accurate axial fixation for various reasons. Rigidity of bearing unit. The solutions using ordinary bearings ensure normal rigidity of the bearing arrangements. There are modern solutions of high bearing arrangement rigidity (INA, NSK, SKF etc.) for high power transmissions (big machine tools) (fig. 30).

3.8. End stoppers

The end stoppers are elements which prevent the nut accidental collision at end stroke (fig. 31). By material, the metallic end stoppers uses spring steel or trough hardening steel, serving for tangential collision of elements. The non metallic usually stoppers are made of rubber or shock resistant nylon; as a result, they support axially the shocks between the elements collision. The rigidity of the end stoppers is connected by the type of their material. The metallic end stoppers are rigid; as a result, the collision between the nut and end stoppers could disastrous if the constructive solution is not specific (tangential collision of a pin). The non-metallic end stoppers ensure a benefit soft collision.
4

a) Fixed - fixed

b) Fixed - supported

Fig. 30. INA solution of bearings type DKLFA

1 3

c) Fixed - free

Fig. 31. Solutions of stoppers at end stroke 1. Stopper variant of plastic material. 2. Metallic stopper variant. 3. Tangential rigid stopper; 4. Elastic axial spring stopper. By the direction of collision between the contact points, two types are to be drawn up: axial and radial. The tangential collision is the preferred one, because of possibility to diminish the shock by spring effect (the overloading of nut is slightly diminished). The axial contact uses only compact rubber and soft plastic materials, which diminishing shock under the tangential contact above mentioned.

d) Supported supported

Fig. 29. Bearings arrangements 1. fixed fixed (fig. 29, a), which ensure a strong buckling stability; as a result, the solution is required in high accuracy, high velocity machine tool applications; 2. fixed supported (fig. 29, b), one of the end is the main leader and the other is supported; the solution is used in machine tools where the space is constricted and for which is difficult to ensure the preloading; 3. fixed free (fig. 29, c), a common solution without any support on an end; the solution has not any special recommendation of use;

3.9. Protection covers

Constructive type. The telescopic covers are similar with the conical lamellar spring having the analogous designation; they are used at machine tools drives exposed to hot chips or working in high temperature. The flexible covers (fig. 32, a) are made of molded rubber; these covers are applied in clear and normal conditions, generally for vertical shaft positions and short strokes. The full protection covers - known as Kokon type 323

(NEFF) - ensures a very good insulation of the full screwnut and bearings alike; the solution is dedicated both for clean or normal application where the humidity, dust or other impurities could affect the function. The accordion covers (fig. 32, b) are used where the strokes are longer.

a) Solution of flexible cover

[5] ISO 3408-3:2006. Ball screws. Part 3: Acceptance conditions and acceptance tests. [6] ISO 3408-4:2006. Ball screws. Part 4: Static axial rigidity [7] ISO 3408-5:2006. Ball screws. Part 5: Static and dynamic axial load ratings and operational life [8] Technical documentation from the companies: August Steinmeyer GmbH&Co.KG, Germany, www.feinmess.de/e/idx/gruppe.htm; FAGKugelfischer AG, Germany, www.fag.com; INA Schaeffler KG, Germany, www.ina.com; Korta SA, Spain, www.korta-sa.com; NEFF Antriebstechnik Automation, GT, MICRON LINE, KOKON, catalog 2001; SKF, Swede, http://www.skf.com/portal/skf/home/products?newlin k=first&lang=en; SHUTON, Spain, www.shuton.com; THK Co. Ltd., Japan, www.thk.com; NSK Co, Japan, www.nsk.com; WPC, Romania.

b) Solution of accordion cover Fig. 32. Solutions of covers Material type. The covers are made of metallic and non metallic materials in function of the length, application and environment.

4. CONCLUSIONS
1. The large use today and in future of the complex screw-nut transmissions has determined a large number of applications and a variety of specific constructive solutions. 2. Different classification criteria and characterization proposed in the paper for an important number of screw-nut transmission elements are given in the limits of paper space. 3. The content of the paper has a didactic aim (specific to a monography). The paper is also a guide for developers in field to approach modern and innovatively the conception of these transmissions.

CORRESPONDENCE
George DOBRE, Prof. D. Sc. Eng. University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronic 313 Splaiul Independentei 060042 Bucharest, Romania G.Dobre@rdslink.ro geo@meca.omtr.pub.ro Marcel DASCALIUC, Dipl. Eng. WPC of Bucharest 250 Basarabia Blvd 030352 Bucharest, Romania marceldascaliuc@yahoo.com Radu-Florin MIRICA, Assoc. Prof. Ph.D. University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronic 313 Splaiul Independentei 060042 Bucharest, Romania mirica@meca.omtr.pub.ro

REFERENCES
[1] DOBRE, G., DASCALIUC, M., MIRIC, R.F., 2006. On the systematic of the screw-nut transmissions. The 4th Symposium with International Participation KOD 2006, Palic, Serbia & Montenegro, pp 91-96, ISBN 86-85211-92-1. [2] DOBRE, G., DASCALIUC, M., MIRIC, R.F. On the evaluation of the product innovative degree: application to screw-nut transmissions. The 12th International Conference on Machine Design and Production, 05 - 08 September 2006, Kuadas, Turkey, vol. II, pp. 919-933, ISBN 975-429-251-5. [3] DOBRE, G., DASCALIUC, M., MIRIC, R.F. On modern solutions of screw-nut transmissions as basic information in the conceptual design. The 12th International Conference on Machine Design and Production, 05 - 08 September 2006, Kuadas, Turkey, vol. II, pp. 935-945, ISBN 975-429-251-5. [4] ISO 3408-1:2006. Ball screws. Part 1: Vocabulary and designation. 324