Ball screw drive vs. trapezoidal screw drive: What is the right choice for my application?

A fundamental engineering decision that determines the performance, safety and cost of your drive. The choice between a ball screw drive (KGT) and a trapezoidal screw drive (TR) is one of the key decisions when designing linear axes, screw jacks and actuators. It is not about what is “better” in absolute terms, but about the optimum fit for the task – for example in terms of speed, precision, load-holding capability and budget. KGT stands for highest performance and efficiency (rolling friction), TR for robust simplicity and self-locking (sliding friction). Physical difference and its consequences TR (sliding friction): The screw and nut slide against each other – simple, robust, cost-effective, with self-locking at small lead angles. KGT (rolling friction): Balls roll in raceways between screw and nut – very high efficiency, high dynamics and low heat generation, no self-locking → a brake is required for safe load-holding. Decision matrix: Ball screw drive (KGT) vs. trapezoidal screw drive (TR) Criterion Ball screw drive (KGT) Trapezoidal screw drive (TR) Operating principle Rolling friction (balls roll in raceways) Sliding friction (flanks slide directly) Efficiency Very high, energy-efficient Lower, more power lost as heat Maximum speed Very high, dynamic traversing movements Limited by heat generation Duty cycle (ED) Significantly higher – depending on design, up to 4× compared with TR Limited, typically up to max. 20% for ZIMM TR Precision / backlash Backlash-free design possible by preloading, high stiffness Play as standard, low-backlash versions possible Self-locking No → a brake is required for load-holding Yes (at small lead angles, static/dynamic) Service life (dynamic) Very high, well predictable Lower, more strongly dependent on wear Breakaway torque Low (low friction) Higher (breakaway torque) Robustness with respect to ambient conditions More sensitive to contamination → sealing/lubrication must be considered Very robust and insensitive Cost Higher (components & preload) Lower Typische Anwendungen CNC axes, automation, dynamic positioning, high duty cycles Manual/occasional adjustments, format changes, static holding tasks, harsh environments Practice: classification in the ZIMM modular system KGT in ZIMM screw jacks/applications: For high dynamics, precision and duty cycle (e.g. ZE/ZE-H with KGT options). TR in ZIMM screw jacks/actuators: When self-locking, cost-efficiency and robustness are the main focus (typically up to 20% duty cycle for TR at ZIMM). Conclusion: How to choose correctly Choose KGT when high speeds, continuous operation (high duty cycle), highest positioning accuracy and maximum energy efficiency are required. (Plan for a brake for load-holding.) Choose TR when self-locking is a safety feature, movements are infrequent/slow and budget as well as robustness are the main focus (e.g. format adjustments, manual adjustments).

Ball screw vs. trapezoidal screw drive: finding the right choice

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Author:

Florian Wenger | Team Leader Marketing & Online

Last modified:

26.11.2025

A fundamental engineering decision that determines the performance, safety and cost of your drive.

The choice between a ball screw drive (KGT) and a trapezoidal screw drive (TR) is one of the key decisions when designing linear axes, screw jacks and actuators. It is not about what is “better” in absolute terms, but about the optimum fit for the task – for example in terms of speed, precision, load-holding capability and budget. KGT stands for highest performance and efficiency (rolling friction), TR for robust simplicity and self-locking (sliding friction).

Physical difference and its consequences

TR (sliding friction): The screw and nut slide against each other – simple, robust, cost-effective, with self-locking at small lead angles.
KGT (rolling friction): Balls roll in raceways between screw and nut – very high efficiency, high dynamics and low heat generation, no self-locking → a brake is required for safe load-holding.

Decision matrix: Ball screw drive (KGT) vs. trapezoidal screw drive (TR)

Criterion	Ball screw drive (KGT)	Trapezoidal screw drive (TR)
Operating principle	Rolling friction (balls roll in raceways)	Sliding friction (flanks slide directly)
Efficiency	Very high, energy-efficient	Lower, more power lost as heat
Maximum speed	Very high, dynamic traversing movements	Limited by heat generation
Duty cycle (ED)	Significantly higher – depending on design, up to 4× compared with TR	Limited, typically up to max. 20% for ZIMM TR
Precision / backlash	Backlash-free design possible by preloading, high stiffness	Play as standard, low-backlash versions possible
Self-locking	No → a brake is required for load-holding	Yes (at small lead angles, static/dynamic)
Service life (dynamic)	Very high, well predictable	Lower, more strongly dependent on wear
Breakaway torque	Low (low friction)	Higher (breakaway torque)
Robustness with respect to ambient conditions	More sensitive to contamination → sealing/lubrication must be considered	Very robust and insensitive
Cost	Higher (components & preload)	Lower
Typische Anwendungen	CNC axes, automation, dynamic positioning, high duty cycles	Manual/occasional adjustments, format changes, static holding tasks, harsh environments
Practice: classification in the ZIMM modular system	KGT in ZIMM screw jacks/applications: For high dynamics, precision and duty cycle (e.g. ZE/ZE-H with KGT options).	TR in ZIMM screw jacks/actuators: When self-locking, cost-efficiency and robustness are the main focus (typically up to 20% duty cycle for TR at ZIMM).

Conclusion: How to choose correctly

Choose KGT when high speeds, continuous operation (high duty cycle), highest positioning accuracy and maximum energy efficiency are required. (Plan for a brake for load-holding.)
Choose TR when self-locking is a safety feature, movements are infrequent/slow and budget as well as robustness are the main focus (e.g. format adjustments, manual adjustments).

Florian Wenger | Team Leader Marketing & Online

Florian Wenger leads the Marketing & Online team at ZIMM. He is responsible for the digital brand presence, the website, as well as product-related content on screw jacks, electromechanical actuators, and drive technology – including SEO/SEA, web analytics, and consistent terminology across all channels.

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