Ball Screw vs. T Screw: Understanding the Differences

If you're considering an electric actuator, you've probably come across the terms Ball Screw and T Screw (also known as Acme Screw). Both are popular mechanisms for converting rotary motion into linear movement, but they serve very different needs. At MotionPro+, we offer both options to suit your application.

1. What is a Ball Screw Actuator?

A Ball Screw actuator uses recirculating ball bearings to reduce friction between the screw and the nut. This design offers very high precision, efficiency, and speed. Ball Screws are ideal for applications requiring:

High positioning accuracy
Frequent use / Continuous duty
Fast and smooth operation
Low backlash

👉 Browse our Ball Screw actuators.

2. What is a T Screw Actuator?

The T Screw actuator (Acme Screw) has a simpler, more robust construction and offers better self-locking capabilities. It's often preferred when:

Cost is a concern
Operation is occasional
Self-locking without brake is required
Environment is dusty or outdoors

👉 Browse our T Screw actuators.

3. Key Differences

Feature	Ball Screw	T Screw (Acme)
Efficiency	High (90%+)	Moderate (30-50%)
Self-locking	No	Yes
Precision	High	Low to moderate
Duty cycle	High	Low to moderate
Cost	Higher	Lower

4. Which One Should You Choose?

It all depends on your application:

Need precision, speed, and frequent use? → Go for Ball Screw.
Need occasional use, simplicity, and safety locking? → Choose T Screw.

Still unsure? Contact our experts at contact@motionproplus.com or check out our electric actuators catalog.