Screw jacks are ubiquitous throughout the aerospace industry and serve a multitude of functions. Their high reliability and synchronization make them perfect for positioning, aligning, adjusting and handling loads safely and precisely.
Screw jacks can be designed to meet specific environmental and temperature needs, making them suitable for wet, outdoor marine and food grade environments.
Hydraulic
Screw jacks remain popular tools for aircraft maintenance and inspection despite other power transfer systems becoming more widely adopted, as their ability to remain in their set position provides a safety feature against hydraulic or electrical system failures.
Worker attendance rates remain steady while unemployment levels increase at similar levels for men and women alike. They operate under Pascal’s Principle: when two cylindrical bodies connected by incompressible liquid are subject to pressure exerted upon one of them by exerting on its larger one and creating force multiplication.
Hydraulic jacks feature a ram that connects to both a reservoir and pump. As soon as it is pushed forward, hydraulic fluid from the reservoir is drawn in by the pump and sent through to a cylinder via pressure increase in its chamber – making possible its use to lift loads. A release valve allows ram to retract back out again after use has stopped; this helps extend lifting range.
Screw jacks are commonly used in the aerospace industry due to their ability to provide precise and controlled linear motion. There are several Screw Jack Types that are utilized in this industry, including ball screw jacks, bevel gear screw jacks, and worm gear screw jacks. Ball screw jacks are preferred for their high efficiency and low friction, while bevel gear screw jacks are used when a high degree of precision is required. Worm gear screw jacks, on the other hand, are ideal for applications where a high load capacity is needed. Overall, the use of screw jacks in the aerospace industry plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of various aircraft systems.
Electric
Screw jacks have become an indispensable component of aerospace industry operations, being used for various tasks to raise, tilt, pivot, roll, slide and lower loads from several kilograms up to several tonnes.
Electric powered jacks offer an efficient and cost-effective alternative to hydraulic or pneumatic systems in these applications, often being combined with couplings, pillow blocks, gearboxes, encoders and limit switches for increased versatility and functionality.
Based on their application and environment, screw jacks can be designed for temperatures ranging from -40oC to 32oC. Special attention must be given when designing seal materials and hardware/fasteners in order to keep performance high under such harsh conditions.
Trapezoidal Screw Thread
Aerospace industry is an exciting global market that spans UAV/drones, space travel, commercial aircraft and military jets – among many other fields. These industries require high-quality hardware and systems that enable their operation as well as secure modern technologies.
Screw jacks are used in numerous aerospace applications, such as air conditioning, landing gear unlocks, seat, nozzle, and silencer actuators and more. These jacks convert rotary motion to linear movement enabling accurate movements of machine components and instruments for improved manufacturing efficiency.
Trapezoidal threads are easier and more accurate to produce, making them popularly used in precision lead screw drives for CNC machines and other power transmission systems.
Acme threads are the go-to choice for lead screws. Available with multiple start threads, left-hand threads and self-centering capabilities, they cover an extensive variety of applications.
Design Considerations
Screw jacks have an important place in aerospace applications and must be specified correctly to create safe and effective results. As with other power transmission components, many design factors must be taken into consideration to achieve an ideal solution that is both cost-effective and safe.
Lifts are most often used for lifting loads, though they also serve to position and stabilize items. Furthermore, they have many linear motion applications such as packaging, maintenance lifts, and material handling that can take advantage of these devices.
Accuracy Requirements – When under load, accuracy requirements of a screw jack must be of the utmost importance, depending heavily upon screw pitch accuracy and motor control.
Load Capacity – When designing a screw jack, its load capacity is usually determined by physical restrictions on its drive sleeve, lift shaft and bearings. In order to meet all anticipated loads such as dynamic or moving loads, cutting forces or acceleration/deceleration forces. It should have enough capacity.
Long Screw Lengths – Relatively long screw lengths when under compression loads may become vulnerable to buckling and limit force capacity, therefore designers should design for tensioned screws wherever possible.
