The screw drive is the driving force behind linear technology. It provides precise guidance of the carriage through the linear rail. The premium manufacturer Ewellix has been developing all types of linear motion products since 1968 and leads the market leader in the area of ball screws and linear ball bearings.

We spoke with Ewellix’s Carsten Herzberg. He is the key account manager for northwest Germany and our contact for questions regarding the product line. During our conversation, he explained the difference between rolled and ground ball screws, led us through the brand’s development over the years, and told us how the Ewellix planetary roller screw is helping to advance exploration of our nearest planetary neighbour.

Ewellix was founded back in 1968 – under the name “SKF Motion Technologies”, since it was part of SKF at the time. What has changed since then?

Carsten Herzberg: Exactly. We started out as part of SKF. A lot has happened since then: In 1985 we launched our first linear guide production based in Schweinfurt, Germany. In 1991 we introduced our first high-performance drive. In 2015 we delivered our first CLSM linear module, to mention just a few significant milestones.

In 2018, 50 years after its founding, the company changed hands from SKF to the Swedish investment group Triton. At the same time, we changed our name to “Ewellix”, repositioning ourselves on the market as an independent company. Now, as of 2023, we are pleased to be part of the Schaeffler Group. Working with this strong new partner, we will be even better able to respond to the needs of our customers.

Ewellix is an expert in the field of linear and drive technology – What does your brand stand for? What products do you offer?

Carsten Herzberg: “Perfection in motion” is how we describe the standard to which we hold ourselves and our products. For more than 50 years we have been developing cutting-edge products that are used in a large number of industries, for example in the automobile, aviation, medical, and biotechnology industries, in the food and beverage industry, and also in the semiconductor and electronics industry.

Our extensive product portfolio includes linear guides, ball and roller screws, and actuators, among other things. With our long years of experience and expertise, we are also able to work to unique, customer-specific requirements. Our ability to develop and market innovative technologies makes Ewellix a reliable partner for companies that are looking for advanced linear and drive technology.

You mentioned the ball screws: How do your ball screws differ from those of other manufacturers?

Carsten Herzberg: Ewellix ball screws are notable for their high precision, efficiency, durability, flexibility, and reliability. Our ball screws are capable of high repeatability and precise positioning. They can also withstand high loads and deliver reliable performance over long periods of time. At the same time, quality is of utmost importance throughout the manufacturing and production process, which is why we regularly subject our products to stringent quality checks.

What is the difference between ground and rolled ball screws?

Carsten Herzberg: Ground ball screws are mainly characterised by their high precision, repeatability, and rigidity. They are produced using a grinding process in which the ball screw and the balls are precisely ground to achieve very low roughness and excellent surface finish. This makes ground ball screws particularly well suited for applications requiring very precise movements, e.g., in machine tools, CNC machines, or in the field of robotics.

Rolled ball screws, on the other hand, differ from ground ball screws primarily in their manufacturing process: They are manufactured not by grinding but by deforming the screw material. In this process, the ball screw is plastically deformed using rollers to achieve the required dimensions and geometries. They stand out due to their high load-bearing capacity, smooth running, and efficiency. In addition, this manufacturing process saves enormously on cost, so that rolled ball screws are generally less expensive than ground ones. Nevertheless, they too offer a high degree of precision and a high load-bearing capacity. They are suitable for applications such as injection-moulding machines, presses, and other machine tools.

Ewellix has successfully escaped the bonds of Planet Earth – could you tell us some more about this?

Carsten Herzberg: Yes, of course. Together with NASA, we developed a customised planetary roller screw based on our standard SR/HR planetary roller screw. This was built into the Mars Rover, which was sent to our neighbouring planet in 2020 as part of NASA’s Perseverance Rover Mission. Developing this planetary roller screw was a true challenge, as it had to meet the unique constraints of that alien environment. In the end, we were able to craft a design based on a standard product yet customised for a different world, thus raising production and precision mechanics in the field of linear technology to a new level.

What is the current state of development in the field of linear motion solutions?

Carsten Herzberg: We are focusing intensively on the forward-looking fields of electromechanics and robotics. We are investing in research and development for new materials, technologies, and manufacturing processes in order to continuously improve our products’ performance and reliability.

What does the shared future look like for Ewellix and Schaeffler? 

Carsten Herzberg: As part of the same group, Ewellix and Schaeffler are creating synergies by bringing together their knowledge and many years’ experience. Both companies, Schaeffler and Ewellix, are determined to implement their growth plans, to continue to develop as market leaders in innovative drive and linear motion solutions, and to further expand and strengthen their enormous growth potential in linear technology in the global industrial sphere over the years to come.

A big thank you to Carsten Herzberg for the fascinating discussion!

In the PICARD online shop you will find an extensive linear range from Ewellix.

Header Image: iStock.com/NanoStockk