Overview
ISO 3408-1:2006 - Ball screws - Part 1: Vocabulary and designation is an international standard that establishes the vocabulary and specifies the designation rules for ball screws. Published by ISO and prepared by ISO/TC 39 (Machine tools), this Part 1 defines terms and symbols used across the ISO 3408 series, providing a consistent language for designers, manufacturers, testers and users of ball screw systems.
Key topics
The standard focuses on terminology and designation; main topics covered include:
- Components vocabulary: defined terms for the principal parts such as ball screw, ball screw shaft, ball nut, ball, recirculation system, and loaded turns.
- Types and usage: classification examples like positioning ball screw (type P) - preloaded for precision positioning - and transport ball screw (type T) - measured independently of rotation.
- Thread forms: definitions of single-start and multiple-start ball screws (lead relative to pitch).
- Geometrical terms and symbols: geometric symbols and terms relating to dimensions, lead, pitch and profiles (symbols list included).
- Terms for performance: vocabulary relating to life, load, speed and operational conditions.
- Designation rules: how to specify and designate ball screws consistently for documentation, procurement and engineering drawings.
- Tolerance references: mentions standard tolerance grades (0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10) and correspondence to ISO 286-1 tolerance grades (IT0, IT1, IT3, IT5, IT7, IT10), and typical preloading practice (grades 0–5 usually preloaded; 7 and 10 not preloaded).
Applications
ISO 3408-1 is practical for:
- Design and engineering teams creating ball-screw-based actuators and linear motion systems.
- Machine tool manufacturers that require standardized terminology for specifications and drawings.
- Quality, testing and acceptance departments for consistent reporting and documentation.
- Procurement and technical purchasing when specifying product designation and compatibility.
- Technical writers, trainers and educational materials that reproduce the vocabulary for implementation (subject to ISO reproduction conditions).
Using ISO 3408-1 supports clearer communication, reduces misinterpretation in specifications, and links seamlessly with the rest of the ISO 3408 series (Parts 2–5 cover nominal diameters/leads, acceptance tests, static axial rigidity, and load ratings/operational life).
Related standards
- ISO 3408-2: Nominal diameters and nominal leads - Metric series
- ISO 3408-3: Acceptance conditions and acceptance tests
- ISO 3408-4: Static axial rigidity
- ISO 3408-5: Static and dynamic axial load ratings and operational life
Keywords: ISO 3408-1, ball screws, vocabulary, designation, ball nut, ball screw shaft, lead, pitch, preload, tolerance grades, recirculation system, loaded turns, machine tools.