Power Screw Critical Speed Calculator

lead screw critical speed (N) calculator - step by step calculation, formula & solved example problem to find the angular velocity that excites the natural frequency of the power screw in mechanical power transmission. Length between bearing supports L in inches, root or smaller diameter d_r & constant C are the key terms of this calculation. In field of mechanical engineering lead screws also know as power screws used to move large loads with minimum efforts, generate large forces & obtain precise axial movements in power transmission. The lead screw should be running under its critical speed, normally it can be rotate at the speed of less than or equals to 80% of its calculated critical speed.

Formula for Lead Screw Critical Speed

In mechanical engineering, the below mathematical formula is used to calculate the critical speed of the lead or power screw to transmit the mechanical power.

Solved Example

The below step by step solved example problem may helpful for users to understand how the input values are being used in such calculations to find the angular velocity that excites the natural frequency of the lead screw in mechanical power transmission.
Example Problem
Find the critical speed of the steel power or lead screw fixed on both sides having the length between the bearing support L = 60 cm & the smallest diameter = 10 cm.
Solution
The given data
length between the bearing support L = 60 cm
root or smaller diameter d_r = 10 cm

Step by step calculation
Formula to find N = (4.76 x 10⁶ x d_r x C)/L²
C value for steel power screw fixed on both sides is 2.23
substitute the values in the above formula
= (4.76 x 10⁶ x 10 x 2.23)/60²
N = 29485.55 RPM

In the field of mechanical engineering, the term power screw in power transmission is a drive used in mechanical system or machinary to convert angular or rotary motion into linear motion. It has the speed limitation to prevent any mechanical damages due to power transmission. Therefore, finding the speed limitation (i.e) critical speed of a lead or power screw is become essential. The above formula, step by step calculation & solved example problem may be useful for users to understand how the values are being used in the formula to find the crtical speed of a leadscrew, however, when it comes to online for quick calculations, this calculator helps the user to perform & verify such calculations as quick as possible.