Friction in Lead Screw Drives

Different models have been proposed to reproduce this type of velocity-dependent friction (see, e.g., [16, 17]). The important feature of these models is the existence of a region of negative slope in the friction-velocity curve, which may lead to self-excited vibrations. This type of instability is discussed in Sect. 4.1 and Chap. 6. 

Olofsson and Ekerfors [18] investigated the friction-induced noise of screw-nut mechanisms. They discussed the tribological aspects of lubricated interaction between lead screw and nut threads, which accounts for the Stribeck friction. Based on experimental results, they have concluded that (a) the squeaking noise is the result of self-excited vibration between lead screw and nut threads (b) in the system studied (consisting of a long and slender screw), these vibrations excite 

In a study of the effect of friction on the existence and uniqueness of the solutions of the equation of motion of dynamical systems, Dupont [19] considered a 1-DOF model of a lead screw system. He investigated the situations under which no solution existed and clearly identified one of the sources of instability in the lead screw systems i.e., the kinematic constraint instability mechanism. For the selflocking screws, he found that there is a certain limiting ratio between the lead screw moment of inertia (rotating part) and the mass of the translating part, beyond which no solution exists. 

Sato et al. [31] considered the dynamics of a lead screw positioning system with backlash. They set up an experiment using a sliding table, a lead screw, and a DC motor. In their experiments the table position, screw rotation angle, and DC motor current were measured. Although they did not undertake detailed modeling of lead screw and nut interaction, they were able to estimate lead screw/nut friction using a 

---

Friction in Lead Screw Drives Fig. 1.1 Stribeck curve [11]... 

---