Ball Screw Drives

SFS develops and manufactures customized high-precision Ball Screw Drives (BSD) for advanced electromechanical actuation systems. Our solutions are designed for efficient force transmission and precise, silent, reliable and repeatable linear motion in demanding applications.

Ball Screw Drive Applications

Aerospace

Aerospace systems demand precision-engineered components with exceptional reliability and durability under extreme conditions. Our BSD support compact integration, precise control and stable long-term performance in flight-critical applications. They also reduce maintenance effort by eliminating the need for hydraulic fluids, as used in conventional systems – making them a cleaner, more efficient and more environmentally friendly solution.

Automotive

BSD are key components of next-generation automotive actuation systems, especially in safety-relevant applications such as parking brakes, brake boosters and electromechanical braking. SFS develops precision solutions that support accurate force transmission, compact system integration, high efficiency and silent, reliable lifetime performance.

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Industrial Manufacturing

Industrial automation, industrial robotics and humanoid robotics applications require precise, silent, durable linear actuation technologies that can operate reliably. SFS’s customized BSD solutions provide accurate positioning, efficient motion control and stable performance in advanced automation systems.

Medical Devices

The medical devices industry and its sensitive environment require smooth, controlled motion and consistent performance. BSD enable compact device integration, precise actuation and dependable operation. Their efficient force transmission also supports reliable operation in demanding medical devices applications.

Expertise in Ball Screw Drives

Customized Design Development

We support our customers throughout the entire project lifecycle, from initial concept development to end of life, with our comprehensive technical know-how.

Precision Manufacturing

SFS manufactures high-precision BSD for demanding actuation systems. Advanced manufacturing technologies and strict quality controls ensure consistent accuracy, smooth motion behavior and reliable performance over the entire life cycle.

Compact Engineering

Modern actuation systems require increasingly compact and integrated designs. The SFS Group supports the development of space-optimized BSD solutions that improve installation efficiency while maintaining performance and load capacity. We also bring extensive expertise in quality testing and noise analysis.

Safety Critical Performance

BSD used in automotive, aerospace and industrial systems must operate reliably under high loads and continuous duty conditions. SFS develops robust solutions engineered for durability, torque resistance and consistently high performance in safety-critical applications.

Customer-Specific Ball Screw Drives

Your Trusted Partner

As a leading BSD engineering partner and manufacturer, SFS develops application-specific solutions tailored to exact customer requirements. From early-stage concept development and design support through to precision manufacturing and series production, we work closely with our customers to enable seamless integration into complex electromechanical actuation systems requiring high performance, reliability and precision.

Christof Spirig Head of Engineering, Switzerland

“BSD are at the core of the next generation of electromechanical actuation systems. At SFS, we focus on engineering customized systems that combine precision, durability and compact design to meet the increasing demands of automotive, industrial and safety-critical applications.”

Frequently Asked Questions

A Ball Screw Drive (BSD) is a precision mechanical drive system that converts rotational motion into highly accurate linear motion using recirculating ball bearings between the shaft (ball spindle) and nut (ball nut). The systems are widely used in advanced electromechanical applications where efficient force transmission, high positioning accuracy, low friction and long service life are required.

Compared with conventional sliding screw systems or hydraulic actuation systems, precision ball screws provide smoother movement, higher efficiency, improved repeatability and reduced wear. By helping to replace complex hydraulic systems and eliminating the need for hydraulic fluids, they also reduce maintenance effort, lower system costs and support cleaner, more environmentally friendly system designs. This makes them suitable for demanding automotive, aerospace, industrial automation, robotics and medical applications.

BSD are increasingly used across modern automotive actuation systems, particularly within electrohydraulic brake boosters (EHB) and parking brakes, electromechanical braking (EMB), steering systems and other advanced motion control applications. Their ability to deliver compact packaging, high load capacity and precise linear motion makes them well suited to next-generation vehicle architectures.

As automotive systems continue shifting towards electrification and brake-by-wire technologies, demand for high-precision BSD solutions continues to grow.

BSD are used in safety-critical applications because they provide reliable force transmission, high mechanical efficiency and highly accurate linear positioning under demanding operating conditions. Their low friction and durability enable consistent performance in systems requiring precision and long-term operational stability.

In applications such as automotive braking systems and industrial automation, these precision components support controlled actuation and repeatable system performance where reliability is essential.

The main difference between a BSD and a nut-spindle system lies in how motion is transferred between the screw and nut assembly. BSD use recirculating ball bearings, which create rolling friction, to reduce friction and noise while improving efficiency. Nut-spindle systems, by contrast, rely on direct sliding contact between surfaces, resulting in sliding friction rather than rolling friction.

As a result, BSD typically offer:

• Higher efficiency

• Lower friction

• Greater positioning accuracy

• Improved durability

• Higher speed capabilities

These advantages make the precision parts particularly suitable for high-performance electromechanical systems and advanced linear actuation applications where efficiency, accuracy, reliability and reduced maintenance requirements are essential.

Ball screw actuators offer several advantages for advanced actuation systems, including:

• High positioning accuracy

• Efficient force transmission

• Smooth and precise linear motion

• Low friction and reduced wear

• Compact system integration

• Long operational life

• Silent movement

BSD systems are designed to deliver extremely high levels of positioning accuracy and repeatability. These precision systems achieve highly controlled linear movement with minimal backlash, making them ideal for applications requiring stable force transmission.

The overall precision of a BSD system depends on factors such as manufacturing tolerances, system integration, load conditions and application requirements. High-precision manufacturing processes like those at SFS are therefore essential to ensuring consistent performance.