The ball screw is one of those ancient inventions that get put through new paces each generation. It’s a deceptively simple, highly effective mechanical device that enables efficient linear movement from rotational motion. It’s utilized in devices like anti-lock brake systems, airplanes, CNC machines, and even robots.

Ball screws are much more efficient ways of moving loads in a straight line than their counterparts, like hydraulics or pneumatics. They output 90% of the energy applied to them, create minimal friction, and negligible little thermal effects. Even better, their construction makes it impossible for them to catch fire, which is ideal for commercial and military aircrafts.

Ball screws have been the flagship product of the Hungary-based Szimikron Precision Technologies since 1992. For over 20 years, the company has used them to manufacture products for instrument and machining companies in Europe. Since their founding, the company has expanded its offerings into tool turrets and power chucks. Today, their staff has tripled in size, and turnover has grown by more than 1500%.

At the top of Szimikron’s website is the phrase Mindig hinni kell abban, hogy a munkát jobban is elvégezhetjük. Its English translation reads, “You always have to believe that the work can be done better.” It serves as a constant reminder to their customers — and themselves — that their work can always be improved.

This attitude was the impetus behind one of their most innovative projects: programmable power chucks. Kertesz Jozsef, the company’s executive director, says that Szimikron will increase chuck exports soon, expanding their presence in Europe and reaching into US markets for the first time.

The company’s dedication to “doing the work better” was a main driver behind their decision to implement PTC Creo.

Szimikron adopted Creo as a means to improve collaboration between their development and manufacturing teams. To help make sure the designs worked properly, they also deployed Creo Parametric and Creo Simulate.

Creo Simulate’s simulation capabilities help Szimikron’s engineers digitally analyze a design’s thermal, structural and vibration properties before prototyping begins. This helps lower production costs and encourages the production of more reliable models.

According to Ferenc Nagy-Kis, an engineer at Szimikron, the company’s design system has seen significant improvements since adopting PTC solutions. The company has already reduced developments costs on one of its costs by thousands of dollars and reduced its time to market.

 

Interested in learning more about Creo and its 3D CAD capabilities? Read more about it here. Or why not contact us.