A system and method for translating a patient table is described. The described patient table includes a linearly translatable portion, a drive screw assembly, a power transmission assembly, and a drive train. The translatable portion is configured to be positioned in a plurality of selectable positions between a fully inserted position and a fully extracted position. The drive screw assembly includes a drive nut and a screw member. The drive nut is fixedly coupled to the translatable portion of the patient table and threadily engaged to the screw member. The screw member is drivingly coupled to the power transmission assembly. The drive train is configured to drive the translatable portion of the patient table at a predetermined insertion force in the insertion direction, and a predetermined extraction force in the extraction direction. The predetermined extraction force is greater than the predetermined insertion force.