BIZOMAT MAKEOS · Power Transmission
Lead Screw Travel Speed
How fast does the nut travel at this screw speed?
Calculate the linear travel speed of a lead screw or ball screw nut from the screw lead and rotational speed.
Open the calculatorRuns in your browser. No account needed.
How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Screw lead (travel per revolution) | mm | Travel per revolution. For a multi-start screw, lead = pitch × number of starts. |
| Screw speed | rpm | Screw speed relative to the nut. |
What each input means
Open an input to see what it is, its units, the worked example and the common mistakes, with a small diagram.
What this means: Screw lead (travel per revolution)
- What it is
- How far the nut moves along the screw for one full turn. For a single-start screw it equals the thread pitch; for a multi-start screw it is pitch times the number of starts.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts 0.01 mm to 200 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
- Example
- The form opens with 5 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Travel speed is directly proportional to lead.
- Get it right
- Do not confuse pitch with lead on a multi-start screw: a two-start screw moves twice its pitch per turn.
What this means: Screw speed
- What it is
- The rotational speed of the screw relative to the nut, usually the motor speed after any belt or gear reduction.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in rpm: revolutions per minute. The form accepts 0.01 rpm to 100000 rpm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
- Example
- The form opens with 300 rpm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Travel speed is directly proportional to screw speed.
- Get it right
- If a belt or gearbox sits between motor and screw, divide the motor speed by that ratio first.
Method and formulas
- Speed (mm/s) = lead (mm) × speed (rpm) / 60.
- Example: 5 mm lead at 300 rpm gives 5 × 300 / 60 = 25 mm/s, or 1,500 mm/min.
Limitations
- Acceleration, backlash, critical (whirling) speed and the nut’s maximum speed are not checked.
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Choose a lead for a target travel speed
- Convert motor speed to axis speed
- Estimate stroke time at constant speed
Who it is for
- Design engineers
- Maintenance engineers
What you get
- Linear travel speed (mm/s and mm/min)
Interpreting the result
- Using pitch instead of lead on a multi-start screw underestimates speed by the number of starts.
References
- Budynas R. G. and Nisbett J. K., Shigley’s Mechanical Engineering Design, 10th edition (McGraw-Hill, 2015), chapter 8, section on the mechanics of power screws. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
BIZOMAT tools are screening and decision-support utilities. Verify important financial, engineering, safety, legal or operational decisions using appropriate professional standards and your organisation’s approved data.