Internationale Partnersuche

Innovation & Technologie Angebot

Innovative self-aligning lead screw and ball screw nut to be used in linear actuation

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Reference Number: TOUK20170901001
Publication Date: 11 September 2017

Summary

UK SME has developed the first self-aligning and translating leadscrew and ball screw nut. The nut allows accommodation of misalignment and mounting tolerance issues that critically affect reliability and longevity, faster installation as it accurately self-aligns and accommodation of structural movement and flexing, which prevents screw bending and nut binding. The SME is now seeking to licence this technology for commercial development.

Description

The UK SME was established in September 2013 to patent and commercialise their engineering technologies/products. Their primary business activity is in the development of patents for novel and improved products for torque couplings and engineering products and licensing of this intellectual property to manufacturing companies and/or development partners. 



They have developed, tested and patented the first self-aligning and translating lead screw and ball nut. The nut delivers absolute perfect alignment at all times, constantly removes dynamic and static alignment errors in one or two axes; effectively, it is permanently operating as if there was zero lead screw alignment error, allowing flexible or moving structures or misalignment issues to be accommodated without thought for accurate installation. 



The technology has applications in multiple sectors including:



•	aerospace

•	automotive

•	industrial

•	marine

•	robotics

•	automation

•	defence

•	linear actuation

•	3D printing

•	machine Tools

•	jacks

•	presses



The SME has spent considerable expenditure on engineering development and test programmes to mitigate the perceived technology risks by potential licensees for the technology.  The engineering team has a history of design, research and development at the cutting edge of technology in aerospace, automotive and industrial sectors. The senior management team have gained experienced roles with companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems and GKN. 



They now offer an opportunity to ambitious organisations with the vision to develop innovative engineering solutions by licencing the technology for commercial development.



Cooperation is envisaged on a licence agreement basis.

Advantages and Innovations

The product is a major innovation with end users across a vast number of industries.



Key advantages include:



1.	Self-alignment capability

- first self-aligning and translating lead screw and ball screw nut – available in single & double axis options.

- accommodation of installation alignment errors, structural movement and flexing which critically affects operation

- facilitates new applications for linear actuators



2.	Increased reliability

- prevents screw bending and nut binding and associated variable loading and increased wear on driving components



3.	Greater efficiency 

- no friction and heat generation because of leadscrew alignment errors



4.	Longer life

- reduced wear on screw and system drive components



5.	Lower installation costs 

- reduced installation time associated with achieving accurate alignment tolerances

Stage Of Development

Already on the market

Requested partner

They seek product development/industrial partners with the specialist knowledge in the lead screw market. 



Potential partners for example could be original equipment manufacturers wishing to explore industrial applications and with the capability to undertake further product testing and application development in the following sectors : aerospace, automotive, industrial, marine, robotics, automation, defence, linear actuation, 3D printing, machine tools, jacks, presses.  



Partners must be capable of providing a route to market for global commercialisation.