What is better: Roller Chain/timing Belt or Lead Screw?
Lead screw is the rotational translation to linear motion driven by a screw using a stepping motor to turn the screw. Lead screw has the potential to have high resolution but can exhibit backlash in many places in the mechanism, especially through temperature change. Roller chain is the translation of motor rotation to linear motion by means of turning a sprocket or drive pully on ta roller chain or timing belt. The roller chain or timing belt is always in tension, so backlash through this specific mechanism is minimal to none. Since there is extremely little to no backlash, microstepping will enhance the resolution and meet or exceed the effective resolution of the lead screw. Roller chain or timing belt also allows the motor to use low RPM which increases the torque at any given speed as compared to the lead screw.
