Abstract: In order to obtain a relatively accurate second-order mathematical model of the feed drive in the design stage, a simulation modeling method was proposed to establish the model reference adaptive system based on Lyapunov stability theory, with the second-order model serving as reference model, and the theoretical model as controlled plant. A mechanical model for the ball-screw feed drive was established with due consideration of the viscous friction and transmission stiffness, a simulation model of the model reference adaptive system was constructed using MATLAB Software, and a second-order model of the feed drive system was derived from the simulation results of case study. The result indicates that the output of the second-order model can perfectly track that of the theoretical model, and the relative error between the two models is within 0.314% when 1 ms pulse signal imposed at the same time.