8483.40.80.00 - Ball or roller screws

This category, HTS Code 8483.40.80.00, specifically covers "Ball or roller screws." These are highly engineered mechanical components used to convert rotary motion into linear motion or vice versa, with high precision and efficiency. They consist of a threaded shaft and a nut that moves along the shaft, with ball or roller bearings interposed between the threads of the screw and the nut to minimize friction. Their primary function is to provide accurate linear actuation in a variety of machinery and equipment.

It is important to distinguish ball or roller screws from their sibling categories. While HTS Code 8483.40.10.00 covers torque converters, and the broader category encompassing gearboxes and speed changers deals with altering rotational speed and torque, this specific classification is dedicated to the unique mechanical principle of converting rotary to linear motion through rolling elements. Similarly, it differs from gears and gearing (8483.40.90.00), which primarily involve the meshing of toothed wheels to transmit rotary power, rather than the linear displacement facilitated by screws.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories for ball or roller screws. Therefore, classification within this code will depend on the precise nature and design of the screw mechanism. Typical examples include lead screws, ball screws, and roller screws utilized in machine tools, automation systems, precision positioning equipment, and robotics, where accurate and repeatable linear movement is paramount.