CONTACT STRESS-ANALYSIS IN BALL SCREW MECHANISM USING THE TUBULAR MEDIAL AXIS REPRESENTATION OF CONTACTING SURFACES

A simple method is presented for analysis of contact stresses and defo rmation conditions between the bearing balls, screw, and nut of the ba ll screw mechanism. The method is based on representation of contact g eometry and curvature analysis of contacting surfaces using a generali zation of the medial axis transform (MAT) to tubular surfaces. Simplif ied Hertzian contact solutions are obtained using the curvature inform ation. The results are approximate but do include the effect of comple x thread profiles as a result of the helical grooves and are suitable for mechanical design purposes.