Buyer situation
A repair buyer needs to replace an old ball screw, but there is no complete drawing. The buyer has model marks and site photos. Photos help, but they do not replace measurements.
Photos should cover key positions
Take the full screw, both ends, front and side views of the nut, mounting holes, marking text, coupling side, and bearing support side. Match photos with overall length, thread length, and end lengths.
End machining decides installation
Replacement mistakes often happen at journals, shoulders, lock threads, keyways, and grooves. Quoting only by diameter and lead can produce a screw that has the right thread but cannot fit the machine.
If the old ends are still reliable, say whether the supplier should copy the old ends. If the support unit model, coupling, or installation space has changed, confirm a drawing again before quotation.
- Full-length photo and both end details.
- Overall length, thread length, and end lengths.
- Nut style, flange direction, and mounting holes.
- Machine model, axis position, support unit model, and quantity.
Typical buyer situations
This topic usually appears in distributor stocking, repair replacement, machine retrofit, automation projects, and drawing-based purchasing. If a buyer sends only one model number, the supplier cannot judge the real use, packing risk, or whether machining upgrades are needed.
Details to confirm before quotation
To reduce repeated questions, the RFQ should cover product specification, use case, and delivery expectations together. The following points can be copied into the RFQ form or email.
- Purchase purpose: distributor stock, repair replacement, machine project, or sample testing.
- Specification: diameter, lead, overall length, thread length, nut type, and quantity.
- Machining: cut-to-length, end machining, and whether BK/BF, FK/FF, EK/EF, or other supports must be matched.
- Delivery: target quantity, expected lead time, packing, labels, shipping method, and whether shipment photos are required.
Common mistakes
A common mistake is asking only for unit price without application, quantity, or packing details. Another is sending photos without dimensions. This turns quotation into guesswork and can create errors in end machining, nut matching, or long-part shipping.
Next step
If the specification is clear, submit an RFQ directly. If the model or accuracy grade is still uncertain, describe the machine use and old part details so the supplier can recommend a standard part, bar stock, cut-to-length, or end machining route.



