Precision Lead Screws

Our ground lead screws offer the highest level of precision and surface quality. Compared to rolled, whirled, or turned screws, they exhibit significantly lower pitch errors. Furthermore, ground screws feature substantially tighter runout tolerances between functional surfaces—such as bearing seats or motor couplings—and the thread itself. This makes them ideal for applications requiring maximum accuracy and smooth operation, such as laboratory equipment or positioning systems. Hartig is able to achieve extremely fine pitches—as low as 0.1 mm per revolution—with high dimensional accuracy—a level of precision that is virtually unattainable with rolling or turning processes.

Metric lead screws have a thread with a 60° flank angle, while trapezoidal lead screws have a thread with a 30° profile. Metric lead screws enable particularly precise positioning with pitches as low as 0.1 mm per revolution. Trapezoidal lead screws have a greater flank height and transmit higher axial forces for the same diameter.

Ball screws operate with rolling elements (balls) between the spindle and nut. This results in particularly low-friction operation, which is suitable for high positioning speeds. In metric lead screws, the spindle and nut are separated from each other by grease or a dry lubricant. Because of this difference in operating principle, ball screws are generally not self-locking. Metric lead screws (or sliding-thread screws) require little maintenance, operate more quietly, and are ideal for applications involving lower speeds or where self-locking of the drive is required. Additionally, the thread pitch can be smaller for lead screws. At Hartig, we have deliberately specialized in lead screws and manufacture them entirely to your specifications—even in quantities as small as a single unit, upon request.

Yes. Instead of offering a fixed range of catalog products, we focus on 100% precision fit and manufacture lead screws exclusively to your specifications based on your drawings—starting with as few as one unit. Our in-house design team supports you right from the development phase, from selecting the thread profile to choosing the right material combinations. Send us your drawing for a technical feasibility review.

Self-locking means that the spindle holds an axial load without requiring an additional brake or a motor with holding current. Due to their operating principle, lead screws are typically self-locking—ideal for applications in which a position, once set, must be held permanently and without power, such as in adjustment or positioning systems.

Yes, we also manufacture lead screws in vacuum-compatible versions that do not contain outgassing greases or oils. This makes them suitable for applications in vacuum chambers—such as in semiconductor manufacturing, analytical technology, or aerospace—where standard lubricants would adversely affect the process environment.

We produce thread pitches as fine as 0.1 mm per revolution—a level of precision that many standard suppliers cannot match. This enables extremely small adjustment ranges, such as for alignment tasks in optics and metrology, where coarser pitches do not provide sufficient resolution.